I am also interested in the "expected life" of equipment and through experience and observation believe a rigid replacement programme is not necessarily the only way forward.
To qualify this, a medical device will usually be condemned via one of the following means, clinically obsolete (via the user/MHRA), technically obsolete (i.e. via manufacturer), technically retired on the grounds of ill health (unreliable), or redundant (the clinical need no longer exists).
There are also the capital charges that apply for equipment costing £5k or more. Certainly in our Trust after 7 years most equipment is considered as having zero capital value and is reviewed and considered for replacement, (some exceptions to this would be in Radiology where I believe a 10 to 15 year rating is applied).
At 7 years providing it meets the clinical need, is reliable and fully supported by the manufacturer then the automatic replacement need not apply.
In the case of infusion therapy there are the technical advances and introduction of safety features that prompt change also.
Your thoughts?
Regards
Mark
