Management of medical equipment in Romanian district hospital: Current situation

An assignment tasked to complete an equipment audit at a Romanian district hospital, led to evidence of equipment mismanagement. This short project was completed at Salaj District Hospital on behalf of Medical Support in Romania (Reg. Charity 1058339, UK). The task involved collecting basic information about the electronic and electrical equipment found in the hospital and reporting back in the form of an inventory. The hospital acquires its equipment via means common to other district hospitals in the country, namely through government loans, charity donations, and its own purchases. Various problems exist with all routes for acquisition, especially as there is rarely a needs-based assessment made in advance. There are also authorisation and other legal costs imposed on the hospital from the date of installation of each piece of equipment. Furthermore, service contracts, running costs, and the cost of ongoing consumables also go far beyond the hospital's annual sustainable budget. The data was collected through observations, interviews, and meetings with local staff. Although no financial or statistical figures were obtained, the study served to further confirm issues of management that are crucial to equipment use, and provided insights into cultural and social issues beyond management.