Medical Equipment Asset Management Framework (MEAMF)

Introduction
Deliverables
Project Status
Key Messages

Introduction

The Medical Equipment Asset Management Framework (MEAMF) project aims to optimise strategic asset management of medical equipment in Victorian Health Services and to support development of individual Health Service Medical Equipment Asset Management Plans.   This is in alignment with recommendations from the Auditor-General Victoria (AGV) and the Victorian Healthcare Association (VHA).

The key component of the MEAMF project is the development of a Medical Equipment Asset Management Framework (Framework) which is expected to provide an improved management platform to support the Victorian Government meeting its healthcare service delivery objectives effectively and improving the system in sustaining Victoria’s Public Hospital medical equipment asset base.

This would include:

• Providing Health Services with mechanisms to improve medical equipment asset management; and
• Sustaining existing capacity and provide an opportunity for better planning that promotes better service delivery.

Specific objectives for the MEAMF are:

• Develop a framework through establishment of guidelines and standardised processes;
• Develop a consistent approach to the treatment and recording of asset management information;
• Develop medical equipment asset management templates and guidelines for implementation and utilisation by Health Services; and,
• Implement the medical equipment asset management framework across Victorian Public Health Services.

The MEAMF Steering Committee is chaired by Linda Sorrell, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Melbourne Health and the MEAMF Project Team is chaired by Felix Pintado, CEO of Dental Health Services Victoria.  A number of Health Services’ Chief Financial Officers and Biomedical Engineers are also part of the MEAMF Project Team.  The MEAMF Asset Management Working Group and MEAMF Financial Working Group inform the MEAMF Project Team on specialised information.

The MEAMF project involves a broad range of stakeholders across Health Services and industry groups including the Metropolitan and Regional CEO groups, Industry Finance Committee, the Biomedical Engineers Focus Group, and consultation with other key external stakeholders.

Deliverables

The scope of the MEAMF project is to develop a framework for the management of capital medical equipment that is part of a public Health Service. The second component of the project is to enable Health Services to develop individual asset management plans for their medical equipment. The project will initially centre on the management of acute service equipment and then incorporate other areas such as sub-acute.

The development of asset management plans (medical equipment) will be undertaken for metropolitan, regional, sub-regional and local area health services.

The Framework will incorporate:

• standardised guidelines on the classification, categorisation and definition of medical equipment assets;
  
  
• standardised ‘effective lives’ for medical equipment;

• a range of standardised tools, guidelines and templates to facilitate health services to develop, implement and maintain their individual Medical Equipment Asset Management Plans (5-10 year planning horizon).  The tools should enable the Health Services to:
  
  
• employ robust and objective prioritisation and decision making processes in relation to investments in medical equipment;
  
  
• calculate and understand whole-of-life cycle costs and operating costs associated with the investment;
  
  
• develop a system to determine replacement of medical equipment assets and business case principles to consider additional medical equipment asset purchases as part of promotion of a business planning culture; and
  
  
• use methods for monitoring, evaluating and reporting on medical equipment asset management actions.

Project Status

Phase 1: Develop Framework

The first phase of the Development of the Framework involves: the development of the broad structure; outline and initial drafting of components of the Framework; development of elements of the Framework (e.g. Policies, Packages, Guidelines, Tools, such as the Medical Equipment Prioritisation Self Assessment Package and Medical Equipment Business Case Package), and piloting of these elements and uptake by Health Services.

Phase 1 is expected to occur over a multi year period and be completed in 2011. 

Components of the Framework that are developed will be piloted and rolled out to Health Services as they are developed.

Phase 2:  Piloting of whole of Medical Equipment Asset Management Framework

The second phase of the MEAMF project involves: Piloting, evaluation and refinement of the whole of the Medical Equipment Asset Management Framework and associated policies, guidelines and templates at selected Health Services.  Please note: As stated above, where possible policies, templates and guidelines will be rolled out to Health Services as they are developed.

Timing of this phase is dependent on the actual framework and component developed and it is anticipated that this phase will take 12 months.

Phase 3: Roll out to Health Services

The third phase involves: Implementation of the Medical Equipment Asset Management Framework including reviewing the alignment of the Framework with other strategic documents and evaluation of the effectiveness of the program.

This phase is expected to take 1 to 2 years.

Ongoing Communication related to the Medical Equipment Asset Management Framework

Ongoing communication during development of the MEAMF forms a key part of the project. The Project Communication Strategy outlines the plan for communicating the changes of medical equipment asset management for Health Services and other important stakeholders. It clarifies communication protocols for the project and solidifies aims and objectives, target audiences and key messages, as well as summarising a series of planned communication activities, which include presentations and workshops as well as ongoing updating of progress.

Please Note: The Project Communication Strategy is currently being revised.  The updated document will replace the attached document when completed.

Key Messages

1. The adoption of a standardised and consistent risk based approach to prioritisation of medical equipment will:
   
   
   • Allow a more timely allocation of funds from the Department of Human Services 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.
     
     
2. The Medical Equipment Asset Management Framework is being developed and will be implemented over the next three to five years.  Over this time, a range of draft tools, templates and guidelines will be developed and tested through an extensive consultative process.  This will ensure the Framework is robust and provides useful tools for Health Services to utilise.
   
   It should be noted that policies, guidelines, and templates will be rolled out to Health Services as they are developed to maximise benefits and uptake of the components of the Framework at the earliest possible time.
   
   
3. The Medical Equipment Asset Management Framework project is being developed as a response to the Health Services request for guidance in understanding Government requirements in relation to asset management of medical equipment.  The project is a partnership between State Government and Victorian Health Services.
   
   
4. The development of the Framework will align with relevant government policies and work that has previously been undertaken in the area of medical equipment (for example, AGV and VHA reports and the Independent Review of Medical Equipment in 2006-07).

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