title: An analysis of training activities in the use of critical care equipment within hospitals in the United Kingdom.
abstract: We investigated how training in the use of electromedical devices in adult and neonatal intensive care departments is organised, designed and delivered. Forty-one departments within two Regional Health Authorities in the United Kingdom returned a detailed questionnaire, from which several nonlinear models were developed using fuzzy logic analysis. The results clearly indicate that training in the use of equipment is a very minor activity, with less than 1% of departmental time spent on providing or receiving such training. Departments that had a higher level of expertise required less assistance from technical personnel. Critical care equipment can be utilised more fully, cost effectively and safely if a formal and regular training programme is implemented.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Electronics and Physics, St Bartholomew's, Queen Mary & Westfield College, London, UK.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Fouladinejad
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Roberts
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003422:Critical Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004496:Education, Continuing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004582:Electronics, Medical / Q000193:education* / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004739:England; D004865:Equipment and Supplies, Hospital; D017143:Fuzzy Logic; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D010564:Personnel, Hospital / Q000193:education*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D000078329:Workforce