EBME Forums Forums Maintenance Technical Assistance Servicing of X-rays

Yes, a bit of "screen" is an essential part of the x-ray toolkit. But please don't be tempted to remove the collimator (LBD) and peer up into the tube ... when it is powered (at "prep")! Definitely not good practice, but I have seen a guy (about to) do this. And he had obviously done it a few times before by the state of him!

I have also encountered "shorting links" across pins on HT cables where they fit into the HT tank (supposedly to overcome an open circuit fine filament - using broad focus instead). It took me a while to find that (unexpected) "fault"! Those guys had no respect (in fact, they were dangerous idiots)!

And lastly, always get help when (physically) changing a tube. Although I have in the past changed a few myself "single-handedly" (in needs must situations), I once dropped one onto to an (x-ray) table ... and dented the table-top (of course). I couldn't fill it, as I wasn't sure how that would show up on future radiographs (a sudden outbreak of non-NAD's, I should imagine)!

You guys are really great servicing x-ray machine. The contract dollars or pounds must have been less spent. Do you think we guys can go a bit further to service CT scanner, MRI, etc. What about manufacturer's support?

Don't you get involved with x-ray kit at your place, then, Roger?

What about:-

1) Anaesthesia equipment?
2) Dental equipment?
3) Diagnostic ultrasound?
4) Haemodialysis?
5) Laboratory equipment?
6) Medical gases?
7) Ventilators?

... and the stuff in CSSD?

We service every other equipment except radiology equipment.
Sometimes I wished I could hire someone who could take care of all these but on second thought we must always manage the uptime and allow others like the service vendors to assist us and avoid unnecessary delay. Our Radiology department is churning out tons of money every month and therefore justify for equipment to be on service contracts.

Regards

Do you mean that your Radiology Department is generating revenue (as well as x-rays)? If so, then surely so must be your Clinical Labs ... so it makes sense to have those big analyzers on contract too (as they invariably are, in my experience).

My own approach has always been (used to be) to tackle everything at first line "in-house" (that is, at least go along and "have a look"). It's beyond that when bringing in service providers got considered. Of course it makes sense to have some items on contract, and the major x-ray kit has always been a prime candidate (along with some of the lab kit, as I've already mentioned).

But I don't know if you are aware, but (sadly, in my opinion) many UK NHS biomed sheds are pretty limited in what they get involved with. Many never get to venture into radiology, or into the labs (always the largest amount of kit) at all.

You are perfectly right that Clinical Labs too is generating revenue as much as X-ray and Pharmacy. We are involved to a certain extend at least during the evaluation process where technology and safety are being sought.

Regards

This is our current model with Radiology and Lab. The contracts vary with regards to repair, PM visits and parts. We got the services of one goverment hospital for their quality department to perform the yearly checks and calibration so it was unnecessary for us to keep dosimeters, tube alignment kits, etc. And that particular government department does the quality check for the department of health anyway ....

the CT scanners and other computer controlled devices are on contract from their suppliers. just to verify and replace an IGBT and then calibrate takes time and "know-how". Unless of course you have had training from the manufacturer and have the "necessary knowledge and tools" for in depth repair. it has been quite a while since i've heard the sound of tube arcing.

Alan,

What is your practices when come to annual budgeting of expenditure for services and parts. In particular, who pays for the Radiology contracts for service related expenses. I presume they are paid by the Radiology department instead of the biomed department.

In operating theatres, surgical instruments like scissors and forceps account for a great amount of maintenance cost. Videoendoscope as well.

Roger,

In our setting, the radiological contracts are factored in the budget of the radiology department. The biomedical department though is on first call. The cost difference from a full on-call service contract and an "X number of repair calls a year and after that we'll bill you an obscene amount each time you call" service contract is considered the biomedical department's "earnings" or something like that. We try keep a minimum number of parts to minimize overhead. a lot of equipment suppliers though dont keep a comprehensive parts stock, its normally -"it'll come in 3 months, inshallah" . There are some companies though that are exceptional and their products / services comes at a premium. We normally go for the premium stuff provided the budget is there, the machine performs better, lasts longer, and slowly deteriorates (pain alleviated by the biomedical department) until it breaks down after a long, long time of use, then you end up either spending a ton of money trying revive the thing or trade it in for a new model, then the cycle starts again.

For surgical instruments, work is done in tandem with the CSSD. Procedures in safe handling, cleaning , disinfection and routine upkeep of instruments are agreed upon, put in practice and routinely monitored for compliance. Properly trained personnel is a big factor in the upkeep of these instruments. I can still vaguely remember in one hospital where a couple of nurses were "asked" to help out in the CSSD during a particularly hectic OR day resulting to a rigid scope rolling off the sorting table .... . (the nurses were pulled out immediately and that practice was never repeated again). The cost of the instruments and equipment together with the cost of repairs are taken from the budget of the OR.