One of the challenges I am being presented with is the IT cyber security aspect. I am working with our Digital department (IG and IT) and their jaws hit the floor when I mentioned that it is common for devices to be 10+ years in use. With funding being removed we are potentially overlooking the replacement of devices that are solidly working (from an EBME perspective) but are wildly out of date from a IT/connectivity perspective which opens us up for data breaches and cyber attacks 🫣😵💫
Chair of the EBME Expo - 25th and 26th June 2025 at The Coventry Arena. *FREE Entry* #EBME #ebmeexpo
There is insufficient funding for most NHS Trusts to operate 'rolling repacement programmes'. A better method would be to take a live 'risk based approach' where devices are properly assessed as to whether they can - have an extended life (set a number - 2 years or whatever is appropriate) - be upgraded (better for the environment, and cheaper - often works well for larger capital items like MRI, CT, etc) - require replacement due to image obsolescence (...because the technology moves so quickly) Equipment replacement planing is different to rolling replacement plans. It requires a team approach that includes users, buyers, clinical engineers, and finance. I have see this work very well, but it needs a strong medical devices committee (MDC) with the authority to approve and reject purchases; and executive level support, with a board level director chairing the MDC. The committee I sat on, that used this approach, had 3 board level directors attending on a monthly basis - Medical, Nursing, and Estates (Chair). The finance team were also represented. Other stakeholders were invited on an Ad-hoc basis to present business cases (Imaging, pharmacy, pathology, etc) In this way plans can be made, authorised/rejected immediately, and flexed where necessary - rather than the usual 'he/she who shouts loudest' method. https://lnkd.in/e4AXwaQ8 #ebme #ebmeexpo
Head of Clinical Engineering
1yOnly just seen this post Karen, in the same boat all we can do is improve how we capture our position and flag the risk, our asset registers capturing equipments current risk and with investment how the risk can be reduced, have a nice simple and effective way of doing this.