Hiya,
The issues around equipment tracking and managements of assets are nothing new to clinical engineers but coordinated equipment libraries are a relatively new idea in the NHS. So are equipment library officer and library manager jobs.
The suggestion that ideas involving equipment tracking and equipment libraries should not involve clinical engineers is a bit odd (a bit cheeky as well) IMO because that sort of thing has always been an issue to people given the task of keeping asset inventories and servicing equipment.
For non-techs given libraries to run then its all relatively new to them and their still developing. That's why theirs the need to use existing forums for clinical engineering to promote equipment libraries maybe? Bit cheeky to say their colleagues on the same forum are hilacking it IMO......but Im new here myself (but I have lurked a bit) so I shouldnt say too much.
Some libraries I've been involved with and seen working myself actually have non skilled and non technical and non clinical trained people on the ground doing the work who carry out repairs do safety tests and give clinical advice and training to operators.
Most of this is done without the same level of understanding as clinical engineers. Not ideal. Many rely on technical input from others usually clinical engineers to keep things running.
Other libraries i know work very closely have clinical engineers who organise repairs and maintenance and give technical advice to operators and do safety testing of library equipment.
Id say that at the moment theirs no "right way" or best way of doing things because it all depends upon the individual trusts needs and resources their willing to put into it.
Most libraries and those working in them would probably agree that they get the best support by trying to work with clinical engineers rather than trying to alienate them....
Cheers!
