EBME Forums Forums Management Medical Equipment Management Categories list

Hi

I am trying to tidy up our categories list in our Medical equipment database as over the years it has grown rather massive.

Is there a nice list of categories that is relatively small that covers most medical devices that you can recommend?

You need to give us a few more clues there, Andy. There can be as few or as many as you need, depending upon what you (and-or your database system) require.

For instance the GN7 document ("Guidance Note 7: Special Locations" published by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET)) that has been mentioned in other threads on here recently mentions only three:-

1) Life support

- infusion pumps, ventilators, anaesthetic equipment and monitors etc.

2) Diagnostic

- X-ray machines, CT scanners, magnetic resonance imagers, blood pressure monitors, ECG equipment etc.

3) Treatment

- electrosurgical units, defibrillators, haemodialysis units and radiotherapy equipment etc.

On the other hand, some approaches list hundreds of equipment types.

So, what database system are you using? What are its requirements and constraints (field lengths, and what have you)? Are you looking for generic equipment types, or manufacturer-model combinations?

How many "categories" do you have at the moment? Can you give us a few examples?

Are you thinking about a hierarchical structure, or just a simple linear approach?

Sometimes it's best to sit down with pencil and paper (plus a cup of tea, of course), and spend a bit of time planning what you want to achieve, before (and rather than simply) diving in.

In short - more information required!

This sort of thing has been discussed on here a fair amount over the years; for instance, take a look at this old thread.

Another way of simply categorising the equipment within your domain (and one that offers only three choices) is by *Risk:-

Low
Medium
High

* Perceived Risk to Patient if the equipment fails.