FAQ

• How has medical equipment been defined?
• What is a Medical Equipment Asset Management Framework?
• Why is a Medical Equipment Asset Management Framework being developed?
• What is the Medical Equipment Asset Management Framework development process?
• What information can I get about the Medical Equipment Asset Management Framework project? Where?
• How are decisions about future funding and prioritisation being made?
• Has government committed to the funding for this project?
• Has government committed to the funding for identified medical equipment needs?
• Are Health Services represented on the Steering Committee and Project Team?
• How will Health Services be consulted during the project?
• Will there be future opportunities to be involved in the Medical Equipment Asset Management Framework project? When?
• Does this mean that Health Services will receive more funding for medical equipment?
• Will the Medical Equipment Program or Targeted Equipment Program change as a result of this project?
• What policies does this project align with?
• Which previous projects will the Framework utilise?

Q - How has medical equipment been defined?

A - Australian Standard AS 3551:2004 - Technical Management Programs for Medical Devices, the definition of "Medical device" is "Any instrument, apparatus, or appliance, including software, whether used alone or in combination, together with any accessories necessary for correct operation, which makes physical or electrical contact with the patient, or transfers energy to or from the patient, or detects such energy transfer to or from the patient, or is intended to diagnose, treat or monitor a patient.” This definition will be utilised for the purposes of the Framework.

This project will only consider the replacement of medical equipment as defined above excluding the following:

• Radiotherapy equipment;
• Pendents (e.g. Intensive Care Unit Pendents);
• Non-acute and sub-acute medical equipment (public health, mental health, aged care dental health, and sub-acute medical equipment);
• Buildings;
• Infrastructure Items (except where integral and essential to the installation of medical equipment);
• Infrastructure Maintenance Works;
• Plant, furniture and fittings;
• Information Technology Equipment;
• Picture Archive Communication Systems (PACS);
• “New Technology” equipment such as implantable items; and,
• Additional medical equipment (new pieces of equipment); and
• Picture Archive Communication Systems (PACS).

Q - What is a Medical Equipment Asset Management Framework?

A - An asset management framework is an integrated policy strategy to improve medical equipment asset management across the state. The framework provides a methodology to support the planning, which determines whether assets should be enhanced by capital investment, maintained or disposed of to continue their role in supporting service delivery. It documents the basic relationships between a health service’s clinical equipment requirements, capital investment, asset maintenance and asset disposal strategies. (derived from NSW asset strategy)

Q - Why is a Medical Equipment Asset Management Framework being developed?

A - Over the last ten years a range of reports have identified a need for greater consistency in the management of medical equipment and other assets across Victoria. Health Services have requested assistance in developing a standard set of guidelines and tools under a Framework that aligns with other government policy and industry frameworks.

Q - What is the Medical Equipment Asset Management Framework development process?

A - The development process will outline a series of principles and guidelines to set in place a strategic approach to the Medical Equipment Asset Management Framework. The development of the framework will incorporate best practice asset management models from across Australia (Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia) and from overseas (Canada, USA, UK etc.).

Q - What information can I get about the Medical Equipment Asset Management Framework project? Where?

A - This web page will be regularly updated with information on the project as it becomes available. If you still have questions please utilise the ‘contact us’ button on this web page and the project manager will assist you.

Q - How are decisions about future funding and prioritisation being made?

A - The Independent Review of Medical Equipment replacement to prioritise medical equipment supports the following to:

• allow a more timely allocation of medical equipment program funds from the Department of Human Services (the department) to Health Services;
• enable greater transparency in the allocation and prioritisation of medical equipment;
• improve quality and safety of healthcare for Victorians in public Health Services; and
• provide a system wide understanding of medical equipment requirements.

Q - Has government committed to the funding for this project?

A - Funding is available to assist in the development of the Framework. Furthermore, resources will be made available to Health Services to develop their individual medical equipment asset management plans.

Q - Has government committed to the funding for identified medical equipment needs?

A - Funding for actual replacement of medical equipment requirements occurs through the State Government budget process, which is outside of the scope of this project. However, this project will place the department in an improved position to clearly identify how funding for medical equipment will be expended across the health system in Victoria.

Q - Are Health Services represented on the Steering Committee and Project Team?

A - The Chief Executive Officer of Melbourne Health chairs the Steering Committee and two other Health Service representatives are members of the Steering Committee. The Project Team is chaired by the Chief Executive of Dental Health Services Victoria and has five other Health Service representatives on it.

Steering Committee
Ms. Linda Sorrell (Chair), Chief Executive Officer, Melbourne Health
Mr. Peter McDonald, Chief Financial Officer, Bayside Health
Mr. Felix Pintado, Chief Executive Officer, Dental Health Services Victoria

Project Team
Mr Felix Pintado, (Chair), Chief Executive Officer, Dental Health Services Victoria
Mr Tim Hogan, Chief Financial Office, Western Health
Mr Peter Hutchison, Chief Financial Officer, Eastern Health
Mr Trevor Donegan, Chief Financial Officer, Northern Health
Mr Frank Meacco, Senior Manager, Health Technology Services, Monash Medical Centre, Southern Health, Southern Health

Regional Health Services were represented on the above groups by Mr Pintado, who was the Chief Executive of LaTrobe Regional Health Service until December 2007.  Replacement representation is currently being sought from the Regional Health Services.

Q - How will Health Services be consulted during the project?

A - A range of forums have also already been established from the outset of this project. Progress reports are made on an ongoing basis to the following forums:

• Metropolitan and Regional Chief Executive Officer forums
• Industry Finance Committee (IFC) meetings
• Biomedical Engineers’ Focus Groups

As documents, templates and tools are developed Health Services will have the opportunity to provide input into the draft documents. Examples to date of such consultation includes input into the development of the Medical Equipment Business Case Package and the Medical Equipment Prioritisation Self Assessment Package.
Upon completion of the draft Framework Health Services will be asked to formally provide input and feedback to the Framework, and any additional tools, guidelines and templates. This feedback will be collated and will inform the Framework prior to the piloting phase. Health Services are encouraged to provide feedback and input at all stages of the project.

Q - Will there be future opportunities to be involved in the Medical Equipment Asset Management Framework project? When?

A - Yes. If you would like to provide comments or feedback on any of the documentation on this Internet site, please utilise the Contact Us area that will direct you to a range of ways in which you can contact the department with your feedback. Your feedback will be collected by the department’s project manager and presented to the MEAMF Project Team for consideration at the next meeting. If you would like to become more formally involved in the project, please contact the department’s project manager who will discuss opportunities with you.

Q - Does this mean that Health Services will receive more funding for medical equipment?

A - This project focuses on improving the understanding and management of medical equipment across Victorian Health Services and within Government. The changes to the prioritisation and allocation of medical equipment funding will mean that all parties will have a greater understanding of how relevant funding received through the Government’s budget process is allocated.

Q - Will the Medical Equipment Program or Targeted Equipment Program change as a result of this project?

A - Yes. It is envisaged that the development of the Medical Equipment Asset Management Framework will enable “early” identification of medical equipment priorities and support an improved allocation of Medical Equipment Program funds with the aim of reducing overall risk to patients, staff and service availability. 
The prioritised data from the Independent Review was utilised in determining priorities for the 2006-07 Targeted Equipment Program.  The data from the Independent Review was updated by Health Services using the Medical Equipment Self Assessment Prioritisation Package for prioritisation for the 2007-08 Targeted Equipment Program.

Q- What policies does this project align with?

A - This project is consistent with Government policies, including those specific to asset management, as the continued availability of modern and up-to-date medical equipment in all health sectors is the foundation to improving the access of patients to an efficient and improved Health Service. These policies include Victoria. A Better State of Health, Growing Victoria Together, Department of Human Services Plan, The Metropolitan Health Strategy, Rural Directions for a Better State of Health, Whole of Government Asset Management Framework and previous reviews of medical equipment such as the Auditor-General Victoria’s Report – 2003 and the VHA Report – 2005.

Q - Which previous projects will the Framework utilise?

A - Previous reviews of medical equipment related to asset management have included:

• Health Service Capital Expenditure and Management Review (Non-Major Infrastructure and Equipment), (Victorian Health Care Association, 2005). [VHA Report];
• Auditor-General Victoria’s Report Managing medical equipment in public hospitals (Auditor-General Victoria, 2003) [AGV Report]; and
• Capital Investment in Victorian Public Hospitals (Deeble, 1994) [Deeble Report].

Contacts:

Medical Equipment Asset Management Framework: Joanne Burns, tel: (03) 9096 2644

Rural: Graeme Sheers, tel: (03) 9096 1421

Medical Equipment Program: Teresa Lodder, tel (03) 9096 2109