Setting up a clinical engineering department
View abstract on PubMed
Summary
Establishing a clinical engineering department requires careful consideration of costs and staffing. A four-person team can offer comprehensive services for a 225-instrument hospital at an annual cost of approximately $90,000.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Healthcare Management
- Clinical Engineering Services
Background:
- Establishing a clinical engineering department involves challenges related to cost, personnel, and productivity.
- Effective clinical engineering departments are crucial for medical equipment management and patient safety.
Purpose of the Study:
- To address the key challenges in establishing a clinical engineering department.
- To define the optimal structure and services for a basic clinical engineering department.
- To estimate the costs associated with a functional clinical engineering department.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of cost, personnel qualifications, task assignment, and productivity.
- Modeling a basic four-person clinical engineering department structure.
- Estimation of annual operating costs and capital investment for medical instruments.
Main Results:
- A four-person clinical engineering department (Clinical Engineer, Biomedical Equipment Technician, Testing Technician, Clerical Assistant) can service 225 instruments.
- The estimated annual cost for this department is approximately $90,000, including materials.
- The average capital investment for 225 instruments is estimated at $860,000.
Conclusions:
- A well-structured, four-person clinical engineering department is feasible and cost-effective.
- The study provides a framework for hospitals to establish essential clinical engineering services.
- Understanding skill levels and service expectations is key for successful department implementation.