Repairing medical equipment

• Troubleshooting faults in medical equipment

• Perform root cause analysis
• Order spares for medical equipment
• Rectify faults
• Use test equipment
• Prepare and keep records of works

Unit B 9.6 Repairing medical equipment

Module 279 09 B Medical Equipment Management and
Maintenance
HTC guide 5, page 46 dr. Chris R. Mol, BME, NORTEC, 2015
 Experience shows quite clearly that only a well-balanced mix of in-house and
private maintenance and repair services leads to results that are both technically
and financially satisfactory in settings with limited resources.

dr. Chris R. Mol, BME, NORTEC, 2015 Repairing

Troubleshooting faults in medical equipment

Approach:

• Have knowledge of principle of operation of equipment

• Know equipment history from the user and maintenance
records
• Use service manuals, test equipment and correct tools
• Use correct trouble-shooting techniques (see further on)
• Perform root cause analysis
• Record equipment details in workshop receiving book. Note
date, serial number etc.

dr. Chris R. Mol, BME, NORTEC, 2015 Repairing

Correct troubleshooting techniques (1)

Attempt to duplicate problem

dr. Chris R. Mol, BME, NORTEC, 2015 Repairing

Correct troubleshooting techniques (2)

dr. Chris R. Mol, BME, NORTEC, 2015 Repairing

Correct troubleshooting techniques (3)

dr. Chris R. Mol, BME, NORTEC, 2015 Repairing

Correct troubleshooting techniques (4)

dr. Chris R. Mol, BME, NORTEC, 2015 Repairing

Correct troubleshooting techniques (5)

dr. Chris R. Mol, BME, NORTEC, 2015 Repairing

Correct troubleshooting techniques (6)

dr. Chris R. Mol, BME, NORTEC, 2015 Repairing

How to find User (Operator) & Service Manuals
Lack of service manuals is #1 problem faced by BMETs in the field (#2 is acquiring parts)

1. Find it in your hospital

2. Visit manufacturer’s website and manufacturers local representatives
3. Visit Frank’s website at http://www.frankshospitalworkshop.com/
4. Search the internet via general search tool (Google, etc.)
5. Use your BMET (Social) Network in Zambia & beyond

Make sure you get all manuals with new & donated equipment
Build your own digital library of docs/info & share via BMET website(s)

dr. Chris R. Mol, BME, NORTEC, 2015 Repairing

Perform root cause analysis (many approaches possible)
Events and causal factor analysis — evidence gathered quickly
and methodically to establish a timeline for the activities leading up
to the accident. Once the timeline has been established, the causal
and contributing factors can be identified.
Change analysis — This approach is applicable to situations where a
system’s performance has shifted significantly. It explores changes
made in people, equipment, information, etc. that may have contributed
to the change in performance
5 Whys approach (Toyota) Example. Problem: The vehicle will not start.
1.Why? - The battery is dead.
2.Why? - The alternator is not functioning
3.Why? - The alternator belt has broken.
4.Why? - The alternator belt was well beyond its useful service life and not
replaced.
5.Why? - The vehicle was not maintained according to the recommended
service schedule. (fifth why, a root cause)
Repairing
 Perform root cause analysis: 5 Whys approach
Example. Problem: The vehicle will not start.
1. Why?  - The battery is dead.
2. Why?  - The alternator is not functioning
3. Why?  - The alternator belt has broken.
4. Why?  - The alternator belt was well beyond its useful service
life and not replaced.
5. Why?  - The vehicle was not maintained according to the
recommended service schedule. (fifth why, a root cause)

Not all problems have a single root cause. If one wishes to uncover multiple root causes, the
method must be repeated asking a different sequence of questions each time.
Repairing
Ordering spare parts

• Identify and list faulty parts with part numbers

• Identify sources/suppliers of spare parts/component
• Collect quotations (pre-purchase procedure)
• Request for funds based on quotations
• Ensure that correct spare parts are procured

Repairing
Using test equipment

• Identify test equipment for specific equipment, such as:

• ECG simulator
• defibrillator tester
• surgical machine tester
• X-ray phantom tester
• electric safety tester
• Use test equipment correctly

Repairing
Preparing and keeping records of works

“Job Request Form”

• Record when the equipment comes to the workshop
• Record fault as reported by the user
• Record the time taken to repair/do the work
• Record the work done on equipment

• Record spare parts used on equipment

• Record consumables used on equipment

• Record the maintenance staff who worked of equipment

• Record the verifying officer on completion of work

Preventive maintenance and calibration

 Job Request Form
Zambia Medical Equipment
Management Guidelines september
2012

dr. Chris R. Mol, BME, NORTEC, 2015 Installing and Commissioning Medical Equipment
 Some items of equipment will be found to be
damaged beyond repair. These will have reached
the end of their lives, and must be taken out of
service (decommissioned) and be replaced if the
service they provide is to continue.
 EN
D
The creation of this presentation was supported by a grant from THET:
see https://www.thet.org/