CLINICAL ENGINEERING
SAMPLE BUSINESS PLAN
especially with the ever constant advancement in
healthcare technology, BMETs are experiencing low
morale, worker fatigue, etc.] within my department.
by Chris Correll
Actual FTE available hours to repair and maintain
The objective is to develop and implement our own equipment have decreased while equipment
inventory has risen approximately 500 pieces of
sample clinical engineering department Business
equipment from 2010 to present. The following
Plan.
Business Plan is a proposal from the clinical
engineering department in order to re-engineer itself
Historical TImeline:
The clinical engineering staffing history before 2010 and to provide accurate information and guidance to
was one full-time clinical engineer manager and help C-suite make an effective decision for the
three full-time biomedical equipment technicians healthcare facility.
(BMET). The staffing was inadvertently reduced to
two only BMETs, with one acting as a lead 1. Administration:
technician and with zero management oversight. The clinical engineering field has been and continues
There was very little management preparation for to move forward in the direction of operating as a
the Joint Commission in 2010 because the previous business within a business. It is our goal to offer a
manager was able to effectively manage that total service package oriented to meeting our
function. Zero discrepancies were found during that healthcare customers’ needs by expanding their
time. Management functions have been eliminated expectations through our superior customer service.
and ever since the shop has been unable to meet The services we provide are maintained by an
adequate maintenance staff that will ensure the
federal, state, and local standards.
healthcare facility is able to accomplish its mission
The current increase in management time has now as well as take care of the regional community and
taken up a minimum 80% of the current lead BMETs our beneficiaries. Our goal is accomplished by
time to include metric reporting, regular meetings, offering services in the following areas, to include
tracking hazard alerts and recall monitoring, but is not limited to:
planning equipment and replacement, overseeing
equipment upgrades, educating clinical staff on the
safe and effective use of equipment, investigating
device failures and near miss reporting, performing
technology assessment to control costs, and ensure
hospital compliance with national accreditation
together with tracking local self-inspection
standards. The clinical engineering department has
also expanded its responsibilities in-handling more
high-end equipment in-house thereby reducing
outside contracts while it increased its high dollar
equipment inventory due to hospital expansion, such
as MRI, CT, Diagnostic Ultrasound, and Surgical
Sterilization projects in spite the clinical engineering
department staffing has remained unchanged in over
three years now. This has put a considerable strain
[i.e. ensuring timely completion of PM work,
inadequate manpower for quality repairs, no
vacation time, failure to attend advanced BMET
training or continuing education attendance
Technical Service and Support management
· Technology Management/Assessment
· In-service/Education Management
· Risk Management/Assessment
· Contract Management
· Fiscal Management/Cost Containment, Reduction,
and Avoidance
Code and Regulatory Management
· AAAHC
· Safe Medical Device Act (FDA)
· State of Florida 69A-3.012
· Title 21 CFR Sub-chapters
- C. Electronic Product Radiation Control
(MRI & Ultrasound)
- J. Radiological Health (Medical Imaging)
- H. Medical Devices (CT, Fluoroscopic, &
Bone Density)
· American Hospital Association (AHA)