The Theory and Practice of Preventive Maintenance

Preventive Maintenance (PM) is a core function of clinical engineering, having as its objective the assurance of ongoing safety and performance of medical devices, and the preservation of the investment in the equipment through improved longevity. Despite its core role, however, the design and management of an effective PM program is not a simple matter. Key issues arise with respect to defining targeted PM procedures and frequencies based on real world assessment and data on failure modes, relative risk, effectiveness of specific PM functions, and incorporation of field experience. Assessment and improvement of the PM program is also an ongoing issue, with the goal of controlling or reducing cost while raising internal and external effectiveness.