The efficiency and reliability of medical equipment play pivotal roles in patient care and operational productivity. One of the pressing challenges currently facing clinical staff, theatre departments, and EBME/Med Physics teams within the UK's NHS and private healthcare sectors is ageing essential surgical equipment, particularly operating tables.
This issue, if unaddressed, leads to significant operational and financial repercussions, exacerbating the backlog of surgeries and impacting patient outcomes.
Clinical staff and end-users are directly affected when essential surgical equipment like operating tables reach the end of their life cycle without a maintenance or replacement plan in place. This can also lead to the cancellation of surgeries, translating to a potential loss of approximately £21,000 per day if, for example, five procedures are postponed, and such cancellations contribute to the growing backlog of operations, further straining the healthcare system.
The root cause of this issue often lies in the end-of-life status of the equipment, coupled with a communication gap regarding maintenance capabilities and the absence of backup options. Additionally, the challenge of monitoring the status and obsolescence of all hospital equipment often overwhelms hospital staff, leading to increased waiting times and unawareness of potential equipment failures until it is too late.
Addressing this problem requires introducing reliable and advanced surgical equipment that meets current needs and anticipates future requirements. New equipment, such as operating tables, is supported by a promise of spare parts available for 20 years, ensuring long-term serviceability.