EBME Forums Forums Free discussion Free discussion Staffing Levels for EBME deptments.

@Dave

Semantics! Servicing and PM may be regarded in the same light. For instance, you wouldn't visit a piece of kit twice, would you ... once to service it, and then back again to carry out PM?

But (if pressed) I would suggest that PM may be considered as a step beyond (above) "servicing". That is, PM should encompass not only servicing, but also inspection (for damage, completeness, etc.), functional checks, calibration (if required), annotation of records, and (of course) safety testing! That is, PM is (or should be) comprehensive.

I/PM :: "Inspection and Preventive Maintenance". Terminology used for many years by the the famous ECRI, and "common currency" with biomeds in many parts of the world.

Something tells me that you're not a true believer, Billy.

If what you're saying is true (in your experience), then may I suggest that there's something not quite right about the way those PM's are being conducted. Like, not often enough, by the sound of it!

PM on a syringe pump today will not prevent it being dropped tomorrow!

Granted. But at least you'll know where to start looking for it (that is, which cupboard it's likely to be hidden in).

On the other hand, mobile x-ray units, ultrasound scanners, theatre stacks ... etc. don't get dropped very often!

Not often I would (or could) comment on a thread like this, but if a PM is done correctly, i.e. not just passing a calibration check because it is within tolerance but adjusted to the middle of the tolerance, therefore allowing more scope for drift etc before it fails, it should help you, especially if you make a note of any large drift, you can get a feel if a component is going to fail and replace/repair it before this happens. The user hopefully does not get to report the item as faulty and a patient does not get comprimised.
Everyone's a winner surely?

this is great, I've been to bed, had a good sleep, get up..... and this is still going strong, What fun we do have!

I wasn't really trying to look at it from a semantics point Geoff.
To me "servicing" is as the manufacturer recommends. This may include intervals, levels and experience required as well as lots of other things.
Servicing is also part of PM'ing but not necessarily carried out 4 times a year
Preventative Maintenance could just be inspection or something decided upon locally.
After all by definition it should reduce the amount, or need, for repair.
I do disagree wholeheartedly with billy11 as effective PM's do reduce the need for repair or spot potential hazards or dangers.
Inspection, in my opinion, is a form of PM but at a different level.
Hopefully this is enough to keep DaveC in Oz going thru the night till the northern hemisphere resurfaces

Thanks for your concideration there DaveH, I'll try to hold myself back until you guys get back on line, anyway,
I owe, I owe, so off to work I go.......

I'm hoping you enjoyed a good kip there, Mate (for me, it's about the only pleasure I get, these days).

I'm also hoping that you'll be cracking the whip today ... you know, to get some of that PM cleared!

People often miss the wood for the trees.

But (to my mind - and as I have probably said before) the essential point about PM has always been simply this:-

It brings the tech into actual physical contact with the kit on a regular basis.

And then any tech worth his salt will surely "do the needful" in as much as time allows.