EBME Forums Forums Management Equipment Libraries Equipment loan rules

I was really disappointed to not be able to get to the forum yesterday Geoff, i had a packed day which didn't end til 9pm so i didn't even get to pop my heavily disguised head round the door! Gutted, but i spoke to some folk who were there and they said it was really good.
I'm not saying that all library staff are fascists!!In my opinion, the system you speak of is hammering a tack in with a sledge hammer!
Our library staff are a great bunch, we get along very well, but then they have a very robust system in place that works.
It works with NO fines, NO signatures,NO hounding, just great communication, good staffing levels, and a good rapport,understanding and empathy with the shop floor staff.
(Jolee may disagree with this but from personal experience, this is certainly true)
I was just offering suggestions to the OP with his problem.
That's all, i suppose i am naive and a bit green, but i am in the real world, i just haven't become jaded yet!
(ginger, yes, jaded...no!)

I think you and Mark in Taunton need to compare notes, Quinny.

Quinny,

Do you make sure that the Library equipment is cleaned prior to being put in the returns box? Do you also provide a decontamination/cleaned certificate for each piece of kit?

When we trawl the wards for equipment we would like to make the presumption that it is clean, allowing for the Trust's policy that kit should be cleaned between each patient use, as we would deem it to be ready for use.

Cheers
Mark

I do, always and without exception.
It is part of device training and staff know to attach relevant docs to the equipment.
The kit is then re cleaned in the library, never ever presume that there is not poo adhered to the underside of a pump! (that stuff gets every where)

I'm just trying to think of way of speeding up the collection and distribution of kit that we find whilst we're out and about - pump found on one ward and given to another without returning it to the Library.

I am toying with the idea of a decon certificate for every piece of kit that we collect. The trouble is, that the case designs on most of our kit incorporates a lot of nooks and crannies which although not in 'touch areas' can still be visibly dirty.
We don't want the staff to be poking about in some of these nooks and crannies because there's probably some pressure sensor or the like that wouldn't like being poked.

So, in this instance, a piece of kit with a decon certificate wouldn't necessarily be completely clean.

At the moment, I deep clean kit when it comes in for service - hopefully, every six months.

Does anyone use steam cleaners on kit in their Library?

Cheers
Mark

With regard to the remarks by Quinny and Geoff, you are both at opposite ends of the scale and unfortunately this represents the "norm" in most Acute Trusts.
In order to be more efficient and to save money, Trusts adopted the Equipment Library as a means of centralising the essential devices that are used by the majority of wards. This stopped the old method of each ward having to purchase and arrange maintenance of its own equipment.
Unfortunately because not all ward staff "buy" into the Library scheme, there is still hoarding of equipment which means that the Library staff are constantly hunting down the devices and as a result, have to carry more stock. There is also the argument regarding who is responsible for the cleaning of the equipment.
The solution maybe is to RFID tag all the equipment and charge each ward area a nominal daily charge for the loan of the equipment. The fee would cover the cleaning, maintenance and replacement of the device. The ward sister would receive a monthly statement listing the equipment loaned out to her area and the charge incurred.
I think that this would minimise any hoarding and cut down on the numbers of each device required to be held by the Library.

Am I not right in thinking that it's the norm that many (most) NHS clinical departments and wards own their kit? They have their own budgets, they purchase kit themselves, it belongs to them, and (in theory) can have it maintained in any way they choose?

Can they not also choose to opt in, or out, of any Equipment Library scheme that may be operating in the hospital?

So, when they effectively borrow equipment from "outside" (be it the Library, or any other source), surely they have an obligation to care for the kit whilst it's with them, and return it clean, and in good order, and at a time previously agreed? Not only good equipment management, but also common decency, I would have thought.

The Equipment Library should (must) know where each piece of kit has been assigned (loaned). I assume that stuff is loaned out up until a maximum period of time (that is, like a book from a real library). So why waste time chasing up over-due kit? After a single phone call or email (or whatever) ... just bill 'em (as I've already mentioned). Chances are that the thing with suddenly (and magically) appear!

Wards and departments these days are used to dealing in a "commercial" manner ... so yes (when necessary), hit them where they understand it ... in the pocket!

We used scare tatics to get the wards to give up their kit to the Library. During this period of termoil, the wards agreed to alot of new rules,which they previously wouldn't have.
Now, when they want new kit, they have to jump through hoops to get it - having given up their right to buy kit during the period of termoil...

We have a Library and it owns the kit - new and old.

Ultimately, it's the end user's that mess the system up, then they moan because we can't supply them the kit.

Cheers

Mark

Before we hear from others, Mark, and as an aside, it is not widely known that fasces symbols appear on the seal of the United States Senate. They represent "freedom and authority", apparently (which is fine by me).

Don't just take my word for it, though. Check it out!

Still can't understand why anyone wishing to borrow an item from the library would refuse to sign for it either as themselves or a repersentative of their ward/ dept. Perhaps an alternative solution would be to issue 'credit' cards to the users then they can swipe the card when they borrow the kit. The card would be under the control of a senior member of that dept. and they would take responsibility for its use. Actually, thinking about it it's probably a bit too hi-tec for most places.