If you have ever worked in an ICU, ER, or any busy medical environment, you know that operational medical equipment is non-negotiable. One moment, a ventilator is saving a life. The next, a patient monitor alerts the team to a critical change. In acute care, there is no time for guesswork - and certainly no time for broken equipment.
That is why taking care of your medical equipment is not just a good idea. It is essential.
In this post we will examine:
- Why Maintaining Medical Equipment is Essential
- Establishing a Maintenance Schedule
- Training Healthcare Staff Like the Pros They Are
- Cleaning Medical Equipment Right
- Inspecting Medical Equipment
- Keeping Medical Maintenance Records
- When to Bring in Biomedical Technicians
- Storing Medical Equipment Properly
- Making Medical Equipment Care Part of the Facility Culture
Why Maintaining Medical Equipment is Essential
Maintaining medical equipment through regular inspections, cleaning, calibration, and repairs is vital to:
- Protecting patient safety by preventing errors and injuries caused by faulty equipment.
- Extending the service life of medical equipment to maximize the return on investment.
- Ensuring accurate diagnostics and effective treatments
- Reducing costs by minimizing breakdowns and replacements
- Remaining in compliance with healthcare regulations
- Maintaining a safe environment for patients and staff
Healthcare providers who prioritize medical equipment maintenance typically have higher standards of care and operational efficiency that, by extension, help improve patient outcomes and facility reputation.
Here are some best practices for prioritizing medical equipment maintenance:
Establish a Medical Equipment Maintenance Schedule (Seriously, Don’t Skip It)
We get it - things are busy, and preventive maintenance might not always feel urgent. But skipping service can turn into real problems - fast.
Preventive maintenance is the backbone of equipment longevity.
Equipment that is used around the clock needs regular TLC to stay reliable. In acute care environments that demand optimally functioning medical equipment at all times device failure and the associated downtime can have profound consequences.
Here are some best practices to facilitate getting into the habit of regular preventive maintenance:
- Set up a schedule for checks, calibrations, and software updates. Most manufacturers will provide a recommended timeline – it is best to adopt that timeline.
- Use asset management software to do the remembering for you and track service history.
Learn more about the Benefits of Biomedical Maintenance Services
Train Healthcare Staff Like Pros They Are
One of the fastest ways to wear out equipment is improper use. Even experienced staff can misuse devices if they are unfamiliar with the newest model.
Keep training short, focused, and practical:
- Conduct onboarding training for new staff and refresher courses for existing personnel.
- Tip sheets or laminated “how-to” cards at each station
Improper use is one of the most common causes of premature equipment failure. Ensuring that clinical staff are well-trained helps protect both patients and devices.
Bonus tip: If a device is not functioning properly, encourage staff to say something early - before it turns into a bigger issue.
Clean Medical Equipment Right (Not Just Wipe and Go)
We all know infection control is non-negotiable. But the wrong cleaner or technique can damage sensitive parts on even the most robustly constructed devices.
Always use cleaning solutions approved by the manufacturer and follow their instructions - even if it takes a few extra minutes. Routine cleaning and sterilization also helps prevent buildup that can affect functionality or sensors.
Pro tip: Make deep cleaning part of your weekly or monthly routine, depending on how often a device is used.
Inspect Medical Equipment Like You Mean It
You can spot a lot with a quick visual check. Regular visual inspections can catch small problems before they escalate.
Look for things like:
- Frayed cords
- Alarm and indicator functionality
- Cracked casings
- Worn-out moving parts (wheels or hinges)
- Missing or broken parts
Keep a Medical Equipment Maintenance Record (Because If It’s Not Documented, It Didn’t Happen)
Documentation is not just about ticking boxes - it is about knowing the full story of each piece of equipment.
Be sure to record:
- When maintenance was done
- What was fixed or replaced
- Who performed the service
- Any issues identified and/or resolved
Documentation helps with compliance, yes - but it also helps assure accountability.
Bring in the Biomedical Technicians When Needed
Some things, like recalibrating defibrillators or servicing imaging systems, are best left to certified technicians.
Do not risk DIYing something that could put patients at risk.
When to outsource:
- After warranty expiration
- For annual performance checks
- When specialized diagnostic tools are needed
Click CHAT to talk about how CME Biomedical Service can support in-house BMETs with annual preventive maintenance.
Store Medical Equipment Like It is Gold (Because These Days It Is)
When equipment is not in use, it still deserves care.
- Keep it stored in clean, dry, and organized spaces.
- Use protective covers.
- Ensure it is not getting banged around in a busy hallway.
Final Thought: Make Medical Equipment Care Part of the Culture
At the end of the day, maintaining medical equipment is not just the job of biomed equipment technicians (BMETs) or facilities - it is everyone’s responsibility. When your team values and respects the tools they use, patients benefit.
Maintaining acute care equipment is an ongoing responsibility that pays dividends in safety, efficiency, and cost savings.
By building a culture of equipment care, healthcare facilities can reduce downtime, extend device lifespans, and provide a higher standard of care.
Partner with CME Corp. for Biomedical Technician Services
Biomedical services have been a core part of CME for more than 45 years - and for good reason. In today’s healthcare environment, advanced medical equipment plays a vital role in delivering accurate diagnoses, effective treatments, and life-saving care. That is why it is essential for medical equipment to always be in top working condition.
CME’s expertise in biomedical equipment makes us a valuable partner to healthcare facilities. Our biomedical equipment technicians can support your in-house team by inspecting equipment upon arrival, assisting with annual preventive maintenance, calibration, and asset tagging.
Learn more about our Biomedical Services
About CME: CME Corp is the nation’s premier source for healthcare equipment, turnkey logistics, and biomedical services, representing 2 million+ products from more than 2,000 manufacturers. With 24 locations strategically positioned across the country and increasing, we are readily accessible to our customers. Our mission is to help healthcare facilities nationwide reduce the cost of the equipment they purchase, make their equipment specification, delivery, installation, and maintenance processes more efficient, and help them seamlessly launch, renovate and expand on schedule.
