1. CORRECTIVE MAINTENANCE (REPAIRS) MANAGEMENT
George I. Johnston, MS, PE, CCE

2. Corrective Maintenance (Repair or Unscheduled Service): Definition
Response to on -demand service
events including equipment repair,
user problems, equipment incidents
and general emergencies that are
not scheduled.

3. Unscheduled Service Incoming Inspections Incident investigations
Recalls and Alerts Management
Servicing the Equipment
Corrective Maintenance or REPAIRS

4. Repairs Critical to have service excellence in this area Repairs
Customers immediately see the value of these services on patient care
Repairs
“Trouble shooting to isolate the cause of device
malfunction and taking measures (replacement
of parts, adjustments, or other means) to bring the device back into normal function, safety,
performance, and reliability.” (ECRI 1990)

5. GOALS FOR CORRECTIVE MAINTENANCE
To assure quality and safe performance of all devices in the equipment management program
To minimize down time and turnaround time
To manage all maintenance in the most cost-effective manner

6. Downtime “Equipment not available for patient care”
Implies equipment not working to original specifications thus requiring service
Turnaround time is time received for service to time returned after correction
The basis of the clinical engineers job is to have safe and effective devices available for patient care
Limiting down time is critical

7. Service Options
Manufacturer, distributor, third party/ISO, in-house department, other…
Payment arrangements
Full service contract
Partial contracts
Time and materials
Maintenance insurance?
Managed/risk shared program?
Service options should be considered during the technology planning stage

8. Repair Approach Component level Module exchange
Lower parts cost, higher labor cost
Not practical for many new devices
Module exchange
Higher parts cost, lower labor cost
Equipment design may make this the only choice
Approach depends upon the situation, time available, design of equipment, skill of staff

9. Repair documentation Request

10. Repair documentation Assignment

11. Repair documentation Labor

12. Repair documentation Parts

13. Repair documentation Action

14. Resources for unscheduled service
Skilled staff
Technical expertise and customer service
Staff availability
24 x 7 ?
Logistics
Parts
Tools
Jigs & Test/repair equipment
Software

15. Replacement parts Parts stock depends upon various factors
Planning for parts is cost driven:
How fast can vendor supply?
Critical nature of equipment?
Cost of downtime?
Replacement modules or devices?
Are there high failure rate components?
Cost of each?
Software related?

16. Off site response to expensive equipment repairs
Biomed role: manage the repair but give clinicians options and make the vendor aware of your oversight!
1. Get all information - people, equipment, etc.
2. User description of problem and service response
3. Speak with the vendor service rep
Who? Cost? Downtime? Parts? Worth putting money into unit? Alternatives?

17. Off site response to expensive equipment repairs
4. Over a threshold cost, get 2nd opinion
5. If expensive parts, perform alternative parts research
6. Acceptance by vendor and user regarding alternative part, vendor or other change
7. Get service report and related solution information (always maintain documentation)
8. Follow-up with note to user and
vendor for less costly alternative use

18. Summary: Repair Management
Maintenance management reduces costs by:
Managing labor
Vendors or In-house
Managing parts
Ordered or from Stock
Managing data
Managing contracts
Managing users
Set priorities and decision points
Communication, communication, communication…
Reduce user error via education and training (documentation exposes this need)

19. Corrective Maintenance (Repairs) Management
Questions? Comments?