You purchased a new clinical device. What comes next?
The question may seem like an oversimplification of clinical device management. But beyond ensuring that medical devices function properly, the most difficult challenge for health organizations is ensuring that medical devices are integrated into their larger health ecosystem.
This is a difficult task. Medical devices are complex and require regular maintenance, including upgrades to stay in good working order. In our experience, many health systems lack an all-encompassing view of their assets and a standard process for managing them. Louie Gomez, a ServiceNow Certified Technical Architect, says, “My clients often underestimate the broader organizational view required for successful device management. The lack of standardization and even governance related to the clinical device lifecycle causes downstream effects for the entire EHR system. Making sense of different corrective and preventative maintenance workflows is a confusing web and can have serious consequences when not managed correctly.”
The success of any healthcare facility depends on the ability to provide high-quality care while optimizing resources, including clinical assets. CIOs need an all-encompassing clinical asset view to manage repairs and upgrades, determine end-user training needs, budget for lifecycle management, and even ensure compliance and safety. A clinical asset management system helps to track and manageinventory of medical equipment and devices andestablish standard operating procedures for the acquisition, maintenance, and disposal.
After selecting a clinical asset management system, leaders should consider the technical expertise, communication, and collaboration required for its successful implementation. “If you care about sharing data effectively across devices,” Louie Gomez says, “then you need an implementation partner that knows more than just the technology. That’s where Optimum is different. We really understand the clinical workflows and regulatory requirements. It’s that industry perspective combined with the technical knowledge that makes the difference for our clients.”
For example, Optimum’s ServiceNow team recently supported a client with Calibrate, Optimum's clinical asset management solution. The data we found in the client’s previous system wasn’t structured in a way to support regulatory audits. By moving to ServiceNow platform, we were able to clean up that data and support regulatory audits on the full lifecycle of the asset.
Conclusion
Effective clinical asset management is essential for the provision of high-quality patient care in healthcare facilities. By implementing an asset management system, developing SOPs, conducting regular inspections, training staff, and monitoring utilization, healthcare facilities can optimize resource utilization, ensure equipment safety, and reduce costs.
How has your experience been with clinical asset management? We’re here to listen and learn. Drop us a line and tell us your story.
