An interdepartmental, standardized equipment pool.
OBJECTIVE
To solve problems concerning patient equipment with emphasis on patient care, nursing quality and better nursing management.


METHODS
A monitoring system, designed to follow the patient around in the hospital was discovered. Based on this concept a special, standardized pool system managed by the Clinical Engineering Department was developed.


RESULTS
An all-department standardization of monitors and pumps was tried. With pumps it was a success. With monitors, two of 21 departments preferred non-standardized equipment. The equipment pool has successfully been run for 5 years.


CONCLUSIONS
An evaluation showed that nursing care is better and that only 2% of those asked disapproved of the system. The pool eliminated problems like lack of equipment when needed, the wrong type of equipment found, lack of fitting disposables, the items that could be found being out of order or too dirty to be used. Nurses no longer waste time searching for equipment ready for use. Bedside equipment in working order can always be found in one of the storerooms. As a result, patient safety was greatly enhanced. We also show that this is economically a good system.
Clinical Engineering Department (CED), Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway. fali@uns.no
Elisabeth
E
Fahlstrøm
Sverre
S
Grimnes
Nann Helene
NH
Johannejen
D004864:Equipment and Supplies; D004865:Equipment and Supplies, Hospital / Q000592:standards / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D006801:Humans; D007260:Infusion Pumps; D008284:Maintenance and Engineering, Hospital / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D009664:Norway; D011682:Purchasing, Hospital