Medical Equipment Management - FOI Response Register

2024-498

Medical Equipment Management

12/11/2024

Please indicate your trust/hospital type and type of care:

Trust/Hospital Type:

NHS Shetland is a Health Board providing all of the below services in a remote and rural setting.

Acute

Mental Health

Community

Type of Care:

Primary and Secondary Care.

Total Number of Beds: Please indicate the total number of inpatient beds in your hospital, including all types (e.g., general, ICU, maternity) if applicable.

In accordance with FOISA s 16(1), NHS Shetland confirms that it holds the information requested but that it is exempt from disclosure under FOISA s 25(1) as the information requested is accessible without submitting a request under FOISA s 1(1). The information you have requested is available here:

https://www.opendata.nhs.scot/gl/dataset/annual-hospital-beds-information

ICU/ITU Bed Count: How many beds are designated for intensive or high-dependency care?

In accordance with FOISA s 16(1), NHS Shetland confirms that it holds the information requested but that it is exempt from disclosure under FOISA s 25(1) as the information requested is accessible without submitting a request under FOISA s 1(1). The information you have requested is available here:https://www.opendata.nhs.scot/gl/dataset/annual-hospital-beds-information

Annual Admissions: Please provide the total number of patient admissions in the last calendar year. If exact figures are unavailable, please provide your best estimate.

4418

SECTION 2: Procurement and Inventory Management

Formal Procurement Policies: Does your hospital have formal policies or guidelines for medical equipment procurement?

Yes – Standing Financial Instructions

Designated Procurement Roles: Is there a designated individual or team responsible for managing the procurement of medical equipment? If yes, please provide the role(s) and a brief description of responsibilities.

Yes – Team – Capital Management Group oversees all capital procurement activity. Role is to prioritise limited budget and to ensure best value and compliance.

Inventory Review Frequency: How often is your medical equipment inventory reviewed for excess or unused items?

i. Monthly

ii. Quarterly

iii. Biannually

iv. Annually

v. Other (please specify)

From a Medical Physics (Clinical engineering) stand point, we have a 10 year equipment replacement program. Which is reviewed on an annual basis or if the Health Board or Government requests it.

Primary Sources for Procurement:

Capital budget.

What are the primary sources for your medical equipment procurement?

NHS Scotland National Contracts

Please indicate the proportion sourced from the NHS supply chain versus individual suppliers, and provide any additional details as applicable.

NHS Scotland does not routinely use NHS Supply Chain which is predominately used in England and Wales.

SECTION 3: Waste and Disposal

Excess/Expired Equipment:

What percentage of your medical equipment inventory was classified as excess, unused, or expired in the last 12 months?

We replaced 10 items of medical equipment as part of our 10 year rolling equipment replacement program. 4876 items on database, therefore 0.2%.

Please provide a breakdown by equipment type, if available.

Ventilator, 2 units

Infant warmer, 2 units

Vpap unit, 3 units

Ultrasound scanner, 1 unit

Phacoemulsifier, 1 unit

Audiometer, 1 unit

Disposal Responsibility: Is there a specific role or department responsible for overseeing the disposal of medical equipment? If yes, please provide the role(s) and responsibilities.

i. Yes – Individual

ii. Yes – Department

Medical Physics is responsible for the disposal of medical equipment that appears on our database, which is part of our 10 year rolling medical equipment replacement plan.

iii. No

Formal Disposal Policy: Does your hospital have a formal policy for the disposal of medical equipment?
1. Yes (please provide a copy or summary of any policies)

As part of our 10 year rolling equipment replacement program.

ii. No

Types of Commonly Disposed Equipment: Please specify the types of medical equipment most commonly disposed of due to expiry or non-use. Include examples and approximate percentages for each type, if possible.

Nothing from a Medical Physics standpoint, at the end of the 10 year life, equipment is assessed and replaced if clinically necessary and funds are available.

i. Surgical instruments

ii. Diagnostic devices

iii. Monitoring equipment

iv. Imaging equipment

v. Other (please specify)

SECTION 4: Sustainability and Environmental Impact

Sustainability Initiatives: Does your hospital have a sustainability initiative for recycling, reuse, or redistribution of excess or unused medical equipment?
1. Yes (please provide details)

If any piece of medical equipment that has exceeded its agreed 10 year life but is still serviceable, if so, then it is sent to auction.

ii. No

Disposal of Excess or Expired Equipment: How does your hospital manage the disposal of excess, expired, or damaged equipment? Please provide a breakdown by disposal method and indicate the approximate amount (in tonnes) used per year for each method.

i. Recycling

ii. Donation

iii. General waste

iv. Other (please specify)

Any damaged piece of medical equipment that cannot be repaired is disposed of in compliance with WEEE (Waste Electrical, Electronic Equipment) regulations.

SECTION 5: Policies and Compliance

Compliance with Disposal Guidelines: How does your hospital ensure compliance with national or NHS guidelines on the disposal and management of medical equipment?
1. Internal audits

Yes

ii. External audits

iii. Regular staff training

iv. Other (please specify)

Internal Audits of Equipment Management: Has your hospital conducted internal audits within the last 12 months to assess the management of excess medical equipment?
1. Yes (If yes, please indicate the frequency of audits and any key findings, if available)

Yearly, as part of our 10 year rolling equipment replacement program.

ii. No