By Ashish Kumar Mishra
In the healthcare industry, the seamless operation of equipment is paramount to providing quality care. Equipment failure analysis plays a crucial role in ensuring this seamless functionality. Meeting compliance standards is a non-negotiable aspect of healthcare operations, and one effective method to uphold compliance and equipment uptime is conducting problem code analysis and optimizing preventive maintenance intervals through root cause analysis. The establishment of problem codes and the subsequent failure analysis are vital maintenance procedures for healthcare facilities. These codes streamline issue identification and reporting processes, eliminating the need for laborious searches through reasons fields or numerous work orders, which could lead to inconsistencies and hinder accurate reporting. Leveraging features like the failure analysis in Nirmalya Enterprise Asset Management aids in effectively utilizing problem codes. Typically managed by Clinical Technology or Biomed departments, problem codes are systematically structured into logical groups to facilitate seamless reporting processes.
Implementing a problem code analysis process in a healthcare organization can have numerous benefits. It allows for a more proactive and less reactive maintenance process, along with the identification of trends and issues with specific equipment types. This leads to cost savings, efficiency, longer equipment life, and improved reliability. Additionally, having a problem code analysis plan in place helps healthcare facilities maintain compliance with regulatory standards, ensuring they meet legal codes and requirements effortlessly. Another time-saving aspect is the ability to quickly generate compliance reports to adhere to healthcare standards. A few key bodies that publish codes and drive standards within the healthcare industry are:
The Center of Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is tasked with the administration of the United States' primary healthcare programs.
The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) is an independent, non-profit organization that accredits and certifies healthcare organizations and programs across the country.
DNV, Inc. (DNV) is an accrediting body focused on evaluating hospital compliance and providing education on industry best practices.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) mandates that medical devices comply with the Global Unique Device Identification Database (GUDID) requirement.
CMS and Joint Commission have set minimum standards for emergency preparedness in healthcare settings, such as hospitals, ambulatory care centers, home health agencies, and hospices. Compliance with Fire and Life Safety regulations is required by CMS guidelines, while the Joint Commission continually updates regulations. Proper supervision of medical gas and vacuum systems is crucial to meet CMS requirements. HVAC and utility systems must be maintained to ASHRAE's air quality standards.
The failure analysis process helps companies improve compliance, efficiency, and reduce costs by setting up problem codes in the work order system. Through problem and root cause analysis, related ‘problem’ and ‘solution’ codes can be created, aiding in tracking work order history, documenting work procedures, tracking labor and hours spent on each work order, generating reports and dashboards for KPI data, tracking work requests for on-time completion, and exposing problems by identifying equipment incurring excessive expenses. This detailed analysis helps companies optimize their operations and ensure regulatory compliance. Instead of trying to guess what equipment is failing and what the correct response to that failure is, a properly implemented failure analysis plan can help you generate ideal Preventive Maintenance intervals into your CMMS/EAM. This can ensure these issues are proactively mitigated. Although a CMMS/EAM alone will not guarantee compliance.
Nirmalya Enterprise Asset Management offers a comprehensive platform specifically crafted to empower enterprises in optimizing their Operations & Maintenance, Facility Management, and Space utilization to enhance their Return on Investment. The essence of leveraging data in space management lies in gaining valuable insights that can bolster productivity and drive substantial cost efficiencies. By instilling a philosophy of "measure to fix," Nirmalya EAM becomes a crucial ally in resolving a spectrum of challenges, spanning from equipment failure to space wastage to intricate compliance requirements. Through features like flexible workspace implementation, integration of space utilization data for energy conservation, and the ability to forecast future space needs based on historical data, Nirmalya Enterprise Asset Management equips organizations with invaluable features to stay ahead in the ever-evolving business landscape.
Nirmalya Enterprise Asset Management Suite helps businesses minimize downtime and optimize equipment performance by setting up preventative and predictive maintenance. The suite's advanced analytical dashboard and enhanced mobility capabilities allow for precise data analysis and visualization of critical work, streamlining work order management processes. Through prioritizing critical asset management tasks, the suite helps uphold asset health and improve overall equipment performance.
Nirmalya Enterprise Asset Management embedded with Business Intelligence and Dashboard & Analytics is is an innovative suite that helps businesses reduce downtime and optimize equipment performance through preventative and predictive maintenance. The suite features an advanced analytical dashboard and enhanced mobility capabilities for precise data analysis and visualization, streamlining work order management processes. By prioritizing critical asset management tasks, the suite improves asset health and equipment performance. Harnessing the power of equipment management data requires strategic investments in smart technologies, seamless data consolidation, real-time insights generation, and ongoing monitoring of metrics. Proactive utilization of equipment management data helps overcome obstacles and sets the stage for future success. Contact us today to learn more about how Nirmalya Enterprise Asset Management can drive sustainable success for your enterprise.