EBME Forums Forums Management Medical Equipment Management Too many machines not enough space

Hi
Wondered if any one has found themselves in the same situation?
We are not able to keep up with our annual servicing of the cpap machines in the community.The patients bring them in for an annual service by appointment sent out by our secretary.
The problem is not a staff issue but more to do with our tiny workshop and lack of bench space to do more than 1-2 machines at a time. A request for funding for an extention to our workshop has failed.Is there any other option than putting work out to contract. Has anyone had to stop annual service and just serviced when the patient contacted the department. Appreciate anyone that has had experience of this. thanks

Hi Vince
I don't know if this number of machines has come about due to the change over from PCT's to CCG's but my work load has increased.
I'm not employed by the NHS I work for a medical supply company but my service department work load has gone up on Suction Pumps , they are the overflow from EBME's who are overloaded with annual inspections.
I'm not complaining as it has been a big boost and due to the quantity has allowed me to offer better rates.
All through my working life as a service engineer its always the service department that gets pushed into the small rooms and be expected to perform many technical miracles, which we do with utmost professionalism.
I wish you luck.

Hi Vince you can always do risk assessment on equipment weather it needs annual service or not. we do it in between patients unless reported faulty.

Hi
Thanks for the replys.
Would like to know more detail about how to go about the risk assessment and how to apply it. Do you tell the patients to contact you only when they are having problems?
Thanks Vince

Hello Vince for risk assessment somthing you can find on departments procedures & policies. Also we dont ask patients to contact us. They directly call respiratory dept & get replacement & then faulty m/c comes to medical electronics to put back in stock after service.