Reduce NHS downtime with faulty device exchange lockers
In widespread community healthcare settings, where quick response times and equipment availability are critical, working with faulty devices can cause major issues, particularly when it can take time to obtain a fix.
Faulty item exchange lockers streamline the fault-fixing process so users can obtain a working device with minimal time or resource disruption. This acts directly in line with the EBME Medical Devices Policy which sets out service, repair and maintenance guidelines for a Trust's medical devices, ensuring that non-working devices are dealt with quickly and efficiently.
When a medical device goes faulty, community nurses can lose over 24 hours arranging a replacement
When devices develop fault, EBME Managers must arrange a solution and submit a working device to medical staff as soon as possible. This minimises delays and allows community healthcare teams to respond to care needs.
Research tells us that Healthcare workers can lose more than 24 hours working time before obtaining a replacement working device. Typically this involves community staff travelling to multiple sites repairing and locating a working device; all time taken away from their care duties.
An EBME Managers' primary focus is to manage device estates in the interest of patient safety and security. Faulty Device Lockers work across sites to manage and provide full traceability of assets.
Why is managing devices so important?
- Convenience- Staff may have to travel long distances to submit their faulty device and wait even longer to gain a working device! This takes them out of the care setting and away from their duties.
- Patient Care- Staff feel obligated to care for the needs of patients, and when they are unable to, due to a working device not being available, it causes frustration all round.
- Time and Efficiency – time spent looking for keys is money wasted with workers unproductive and patients left waiting with potentially devastating consequences.
- Cost – Everyday inefficiency in searching for a working device will erode productivity over the long term, but staff being away from their duties come at a cost to the healthcare operation. Facilities may also have to spend more on purchasing additional devices in an attempt to prevent further delays- a costly fix for burdened health authorities!
What is a faulty medical device locker and how does it work?
Faulty Device Exchange Lockers allow valid users to deposit a faulty device into an empty locker compartment and at the same time obtain a like-for-like spare device. FIX incorporates fault logging so that details of the fault are managed through TrakaWEB.
There are 3 simple steps to follow:
- Deposit a faulty asset into the deposit compartment of the locker, selecting the fault category
- Obtain a fully working device from another locker compartment in exchange so the user can return to their work in the shortest possible time.
- An administrator is alerted to remove and repair the faulty device
EBME Managers can ensure an intelligent device policy in place to minimise downtime and provide best patient care.
Case closed, back to work!
Case closed, back to work!
Norfolk Community Healthcare Trust were among the latest to receive a new Faulty Item Exchange locker from Traka.
Now, when a device is faulty, the system allows Norfolk's community nurses to drop off the device quickly and easily in a convenient location, saving vital care time.
Healthcare teams can now return to their duties with minimal delays, and with a fully working device.and all of its scheduling, workplans and patient records!
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