EBME Forums Forums Management Equipment Libraries Starting an Equipment Library

Our hospital is introducing an Equipment Library and we would welcome comments about any issues eg out-of-hours access, staffing levels, decontamination, returning of equipment, ward membership, types of equipment covered and any other operational issues. Thank you.

Try talking to Alex in the EBME department at Oldham General Hospital tel.0161 424 0420.
He has just set up an equipment library and is using the Oakleaf software, which is now working well, apparently.
Dave Pierson at Leeds on 0113 292 3316 or 0113 243 2799 is another good bet.
Our biggest problem is finding the space to put the library ! You need proper cleaning / decontamination facilities and plenty of storage space for things like pressure relief mattresses. Finding someone who wants to work seven days a week, 24 hours a day, 52 weeks per year seems to another stumbling block ! I can't understand why when they are offering the job at C&A grade 3 ! (only joking)

Amanda
I would reccomend you ensure you have somewhere to put a library before going into any great depth or you will end up very frustrated. We have no space for a library [yet] but had many meeting before it became an issue, make sure it is the first item on the agenda.
regards, John.

Our library in Rotherham has been going for about 3 years now. It was easier to set up than you might think, some user scepticism (a speling chekker would be nice for that word) at first, quickly overcome. Had some chaps over from Linoln recently - they seemed moderately impresed, or maybe they are just polite.

We have just set up a central store, which has 24hour access for all staff, items stocked are
Pressure therapy products
ECG Monitors
Syringe drivers
Volumetric pumps
Enteral feed pumps

our main problem has been to get staff to record where equipment has been removed to, it is not uncommon to go home on Friday evening, leaving 12 or more Pressure mattresses in the store, Monday morning will come round with none in store and only a third of removals recorded.

Good cooperation from ward and portering staff is essential

Our library has been operational for several years now & is generally very effective. Initial problem getting wards to 'give up' their equipment to the pool! Saves us lots of fetching & carrying as equipment is intercepted there. Most faults are reported through the library, thus filtering out many simple 'user' problems Also enables a long-term understanding of usage & therefore equip surpluses/requirements. Main problem is inadequate staffing & no dedicated porter. Currently implementing a bar-code scanner system to eventually provide up-to-date info on equip availability via our Trust intranet. Access out of hours is to porters & lead nurses only. Other noticable downside is wards don't consider they own the equip so don't always treat it as well as they might! Most nurse training is run by library staff too. Hope this helps!

HAS ANYBODY GOT ANY LOAN PROTOCOLS CAN LET US HAVE IT PLEASE? MAINLY FOR LOANING OF EQUIPMENT TO COMMUNITY PATIENTS? DO THEY SIGN ANYTHING?

THANKS
ALEX

Yes, if anyone has something like this, perhaps I could put it on the 'site and make it available for download.
email ebme@ebme.co.uk
Thanks.

Is there anyone who has an Equipment Library that they want to show-off.
I would like to see a well established Library in operation for a few hours.
Thanks...

Southampton General has a very good library. Contact Sarah Springer on 02380 795050.

Our library has been in operation for 2 months now, with one member of staff. It is working well so far, although there is no cover out of hours or at weekends. Most areas donated equipment willingly. Some wards even return the equipment themselves . We have the Oakleaf software which has some useful reports for monitoring library usage.