Be that as it may, "the manual wasn't available" was a ploy often proffered (particularly by surgeons) following a "blame the kit" incident. So a better Golden Rule (for in-house hospital biomeds, at least) could well be:- CYA.
Back in my contracting days, "client - or previous contractor - to hand over service manual plus
x copies of user manuals for each type of equipment" was always a clause in our bid proposal. If not forthcoming (usually due to having been "lost" - *stolen, most likely - during the previous contractor's tenure) we used to obtain the required manual(s) and charge for same at our usual mark-up. At the end of our contract, we in turn had to hand over the manuals to the incoming contractor.
* "Back in the day" there used to be quite a "brisk trade" in service manuals (especially, ... but also to a lesser extent in spare parts), whereby they would be spirited away to certain countries by aspiring freelance biomed techs - guys planning to start up in the biomed game back home. "No names, no pack drill" as "they" say. But suffice to say that I was approached a few times - and admit to turning a blind eye as long as only photocopies were taken. Hopefully, the internet has largely put an end to all that (apart from the parts, that is).
Anyway, the "original" Golden Rule was:- "Do as be done by". But, unfortunately, for a while now it has become:- "Whoever has the gold, makes the rules"!
