Ensuring continuous operation in surgical theatres
The reliability of medical equipment, especially in surgical theatres, is crucial. Unfortunately, many healthcare facilities are encountering significant challenges due to the obsolescence of critical equipment such as operating tables.
This issue not only disrupts surgical procedures but also places immense pressure on EBME/Med Physics and theatre teams and impacts patient care.
The core issue lies in the inability to service or repair operating tables due to a lack of available spare parts as they become obsolete, and this problem affects a broad spectrum of stakeholders.
EBME/Medical Physics Departments
These teams face difficulties maintaining equipment operational status, leading to increased entries on the risk register and a reduction of equipment available to theatre teams.
Theatre Teams
The lack of functional equipment directly impacts their ability to perform surgeries efficiently.
Patients
The ultimate consequence of equipment failure is the increased risk of surgery cancellations or delays, affecting patient treatment outcomes.
The underlying reasons for these challenges are varied.
- The original manufacturers of some operating tables have ceased operations or no longer support older models.
- Many tables, expected to last around 12 years, have been used far beyond their expected lifecycle, often for over 20 years, due to budget constraints and purchasing cycles in healthcare organisations.
- There is often a communication gap or lack of awareness regarding the lifecycle status of the equipment, leaving facilities unprepared for failures.
This scenario is heightened during critical times, such as mid-operation or preparation stages, where the need for reliable equipment is paramount, and any failure can lead to significant disruptions.
Ensuring reliability through modern solutions
To address the pressing issues caused by obsolete operating tables, a comprehensive solution involving the update and maintenance of surgical equipment is essential.
The introduction of new modern operating tables that come with long-term service support and guaranteed availability of spare parts for up to 20 years, provides an effective solution that is supported by a robust service contract.
Trained engineers and first-line training for EBME staff, ensures that healthcare facilities can handle minor repairs and maintenance in-house, whilst having experts on hand should they need them.
12-month warranties on new tables, coupled with extensive after-sales support to handle any unforeseen issues provides peace of mind that operations can run efficiently, reducing the burden on theatre teams.
These solutions are designed not only to replace ageing infrastructure but also to build capacity within the healthcare facility and reduce dependency on external suppliers.
Implementing modern operating tables with comprehensive service plans brings several significant benefits:
- Reduced risk and enhanced capacity for med physics departments: By ensuring the availability of parts and service, these departments can effectively manage and reduce their risk profiles, freeing up resources to focus on other critical areas.
- Reliability for theatre teams: Access to modern, reliable equipment allows theatre teams to perform their duties without the constant worry of equipment failure, thus improving the efficiency of surgical operations.
- Security for patients: With less risk of procedure cancellations, patients benefit from more reliable scheduling and improved care outcomes.
- Financial benefits: For the healthcare provider, reducing equipment downtime means fewer cancelled operations, leading to increased revenue and more effective utilisation of theatre time.
By investing in new equipment with comprehensive maintenance plans, healthcare providers can mitigate risks associated with old equipment, enhance operational efficiency, and, most importantly, improve patient care.
This proactive approach not only aligns with the goals of reducing surgical backlogs but also ensures that theatre operations can proceed with confidence in the reliability and availability of their equipment.
For more information on new, advanced operating tables, visit: https://uk.bender-group.com/operate-with-efficiency
This article is for informational purposes only. Bender provides the information "as is" without warranty and is not responsible for its accuracy or reliability. No warranties are given regarding its suitability for any specific circumstances.
