CLINICAL ENGINEERINGpart(1)

Dr. Dalia H. Elkamchouchi

CLINICAL ENGINEERINGpart(1)

Dr. Dalia H. ElkamchouchiDr. Dalia H. Elkamchouchi

CLINICAL ENGINEERINGpart(1)

Evolution of Clinical Engineering

Engineers were first encouraged to enter the clinical scene during the late 1960s in response to concerns about patient safety as well as the rapid spread of clinical equipment

Clinical EngineeringWhen Biomedical engineers works within a hospital or clinic, they are properly called clinical engineers

Clinical Environment Is defined as that portion of the health care system in which patient care is delivered and clinical activities include direct patient care ,research teaching and public service activities intended to enhance patient care.

Clinical Engineer Departments :

*The logical support center for all medical technologies.

*Responsible for all the biomedical instruments and systems used in hospitals.

*The training of medical personal in equipment use and safety.

*Design ,selection and using technology to deliver safe and effective health care

Engineering Concepts• Clinical Engineering– “A Clinical Engineer is a professional who supports

and advances patient care by applying engineering and managerial skills to healthcare technology.“ - ACCE Definition, 1992

• Other terms used to specify this professional are:– Healthcare engineer, hospital engineer, biomedical

equipment technician, equipment managers, technology manager, biomedical engineer, maintenance engineer, healthcare technologist.

Clinical & Hospital Engineering

• Clinical Engineering equipment responsibilities– Infusion pumps, defibrillators, monitors, x-ray machines,

cath scan, MRI, ultrasound, ventilators, surgical table and lights, electrosurgical units, pulse oxymeters, CT scan, etc.

• Hospital Engineering equipment responsibilities– HVAC, medical gases, electrical systems, medical

compressed air, vacuum systems, elevators, construction support, communication systems, vehicles, steam, hot water, etc.

Hospitals Organization and the Role of Clinical Engineer

In the hospital ,management organization has evolved into a

diffuse authority structure that is commonly referred to as the triad model .

The three primary components are:

1-Governing Board (Trustees)

2-Hospital administration and administrative staff

3-Medical Staff organization

Typical Engineering Responsibilities

1-Supervision of a hospital clinical engineering department that includes clinical engineers and biomedical equipment technicians (BMET’s)

2-Prepurchase evaluation and planning for a new medical technology.

3-Design,modification, or repair of sophisticated medical instruments or systems

4- Budget preparation, cost effective management of a medical equipment calibration and repair service

5-Supervision of the safety and performance testing of medical equipment performed by BMETs

6- Inspections, audits, evaluation, survey, technical reports.

Typical Engineering Responsibilities7-Establishment of performance benchmarks for all equipments

8-Medical equipment inventory control

9-Training of medical personnel in the safe and effective use of medical devices and systems

10-Biomedical computer support.

11-Input to the design of clinical facilities where medical technology is used e.g: operating rooms(Ors),intensive care units.

12-Development and implementation of documentation protocols required by external accreditation and licensing agencies.

Engineering or Maintenance ?

Engineering !!!