EBME Forums Forums Management Equipment Libraries Studies of equipment library services

Hi all,

I read with great interest both the abstract and full document by Julia Werth (and Dominic Furniss) linked elsewhere on the forum. Good stuff and thank's for providing the links.

Does anyone know of other studies on equipment libraries especially those centred around "before and after" studies of capital equipment usage/investment or the change in levels of statutory compliance?

Thanks, Dave

Hoping to justify setting up an "Equipment Library" from the "money to be saved" angle, I wonder?

Surely a better way of selling the idea is general availability of serviceable kit in adequate numbers (quantity)?

I doubt that you'll find many instances where items on the Library shelves never get used (or "taken out", to carry on the metaphor). That's part of the "numbers game" when planning them, I would have thought:- such-and-such percent will be "off the shelves" at any given moment (sometimes as much as 100%), ergo you don't need shelves (or space) for every item.

It's the "nuts and bolts" like this that we never get to hear about, for some strange reason. I can only assume that most folk don't look at things in such a way.

Meanwhile ... "statutory compliance"? With what? Patients treated? "Positive outcomes"? Overtime for the nurses?

Dave, I am not aware of any 'before and after studies' of Equipment Library usage. If there are any I would like to know as well. I think that these studies, if any, will have been done in-house by each hospital to find out if they have been cost effective or not.

Writing from our experience, we have all Infusion devices and Dynamic pressure mattresses controlled via an EL. That way we have the best cost effective system of using the 'limited' resources that we have.

You will certainly need space for every item as demand for resources fluctuates.

All I can say is that here, the prevailing viewpoint is that the hospital cannot do without our EL even with the limited resources that they give us to run it.

I have written reports for the hierarchy here in the past regarding the present functioning of the EL and how 'efficient' it is, but I am not sure that is what you are after. As I stated, I think the 'info' you need will have been written on an individual hospital by hospital basis.

Plus some big tables for pressure relieving mattresses etc. ... for the checking (cleaning) and maintenance thereof!

All of which goes to show that a bit of planning is essential before folk start charging off and opening up their "EL" (OK, terminology-wise, let's settle for that).

Meanwhile, your figures could be interesting, Mike. How come all of the kit gets to meet up again (sounds a bit like "Toy Story")? Don't tell me that your EL kit is under curfew?

Come on now (whilst we're in the mood) ... what are the formulae we need here?

1) b Beds (indication of hospital size)
2) i Infusion Pumps
3) s Syringe Pumps
4) m Mattresses ... etc.

How many are out at any given time? For how long? How many out of service (unserviceable), and for how long? How often does demand exceed (ability to) supply? "Do the math" (yes, it's a horrible term, but readily understood these days, I believe).

And (whilst we're at it):- what kit goes in the EL (and why)? And, why not "everything"?

Not sure if this is what Dave wanted, but since you ask I will give a response, but before I do, please don't make judgements about what we may do or not do when you know nothing about us:

Big tables for checking/maintaining pressure relieving mattresses. What? Are you really serious? No, no, and no again. That is done where it should be - next door in EBME.

You may rest assured that a lot, and I mean a lot of planning was done by us (and many others) over 12 years ago prior to opening up our EL.

You say - 'Don't tell me that your EL kit is under curfew?' Are you really asking a serious question here? Do you really think that would happen? Our EL kit is available to one and all 24/7. That is the way it has to be. Actually it is the only way it could be.

Serious/decent questions only please.

1) Tables ... I know that some places have them.
2) Curfew ... I was just wondering (most EL's are staffed 9-5 ... and some seem to have "difficulties" with both "tracking" and "out of hours borrowing").
3) How about some clues regarding the "math"?

EBME next door? So what's the drill ... does stuff being returned pass by them? Or do the Library Staff check it out, then pass it back for repair as need be? EL kit is on the PM schedule, of course.

(Me? judgemental? No way. Just interested, that's all)!

Most are indeed staffed 9-5 or similar hours.
Here the EL looks after infusion pumps, syringe drivers, feeding pumps and a few others but the equipment is also serviced/repaired by the tech rather then going into the main EBME dept.

Yep ... that's another "factor":- sometimes EL's have a biomed tech on board, sometimes they don't.

Sometimes the EL comes under the Biomed Department (EBME Manager, whomever), whilst other times it is headed up by *"others"!

* Often ex-nurses, in my experience. Sometimes leading to an element of friction between the EL and Biomed (again, something I have seen). How come? Because they seem to expect (demand) "special" or preferential service (whilst the biomeds may see the EL as "just another user department").

The Equipment Library here is part of EBME. Our Library is physically attached to our EBME workshop. To get to our workshop you have to walk through the Library.

The Librarian issues, records and recovers selected devices and our Techies do the maintenance on those devices. Our Equipment Librarian has been trained on how to check devices so they are safe for re-issue. He is such a 'top chap' and on the ball that he even brings in devices to us in the workshop when they are due for PM.

Clues regarding the math? Come on Geoff, don't go all Americanised on us, it's 'maths' surely unless something changed and I didn't notice. One Librarian and over 300+ different devices (by volume not type!) plus 900+ Nebulisers.

The system certainly works for us, it may not work for others but it has been tried and tested here for 12 years.

I am aware that we are pretty well 'off topic' here - sorry Huw.

Sorry Mike ... we're just trying to attract more American Biomeds to the forum. I'm aware that a fair number lurk from time to time, but rarely (if ever) post.

No ... "Studies of Equipment Library Services" ... pretty much on topic, I would say.

Yes ... your set-up sounds ideal. The one to go for, I would say.

Nebulizer compressors? At one Big Hospital I know they have a store and a guy taking care of those for the whole County (that is, the "Community" and beyond). He issues them out, accepts them back (we hope), and services them as well. Yet another way of doing things.

900+ sounds like a lot. I presume they are for the "Community" as well, then.