Does This Equipment Need a PM?

Does This Equipment Need a PM?

Not every medical device needs the same maintenance, and a PM schedule should not be based on habit alone. Deciding whether equipment needs preventive maintenance—and how often—requires looking at the device, how it is used, and the requirements that apply to your facility.

Start With What You Mean by PM

Preventive maintenance (PM) is often used as a general term for scheduled equipment service. Depending on the device, it may include performance testing, electrical safety testing, calibration, manufacturer-recommended maintenance, or a combination of these activities. Some organizations use the term “scheduled maintenance” because not every task is strictly preventative.

PM is usually performed at a set interval, such as annually or semiannually. In some cases, a task may instead be triggered by usage, operating hours, a repair, or another condition. For a fuller explanation, see “What Is Preventive Maintenance (PM)?”

Which Equipment Should Be on a PM Schedule?

Three useful starting points are:

·    Does your facility use a risk-based maintenance program?

·    What does the equipment manufacturer recommend?

·    Does an accreditation organization, regulation, or facility policy establish a requirement?

These factors should be considered together rather than treating any one of them as the answer in every situation.

Risk-Based Maintenance

A risk-based program considers factors such as the environment in which equipment is used, the likelihood of failure, and the consequences of that failure. A facility may score these factors using a defined method to help determine whether a device or device category should receive scheduled maintenance and, if so, how frequently.

The details of risk-based programs vary. The important point is to use a consistent, documented process that fits your facility and the risks associated with the equipment.

Manufacturer Recommendations

Some manufacturers specify maintenance tasks and intervals; others provide limited guidance or no routine PM recommendation. Where recommendations are available, your facility can follow them or consider them as part of its broader maintenance decision. Any departure from manufacturer guidance should be supported by the facility’s process and applicable requirements.

Accreditation and Other Requirements

Different facilities may be subject to different accreditation requirements, regulations, or internal policies. These may require certain equipment to be included in a maintenance program or maintained at a specified interval.

For example, a facility’s accreditation requirements may call for scheduled maintenance on point-of-care laboratory equipment even when the device is powered by a wall transformer rather than having a conventional AC power cord. The exact requirement depends on the applicable standards and the facility’s circumstances, so verify the requirement that applies to your organization.

Make the Decision Deliberately

The goal is not to place every device on the same schedule. It is to establish and document a defensible process that considers risk, manufacturer guidance, and applicable requirements. A clear process can help your facility direct maintenance effort where it is most useful and explain why a device is—or is not—on a PM schedule.