CHTM key terms

Software used to track maintenance work orders, equipment inventories, schedules, and repair histories. It helps managers plan preventive maintenance, document service, and report on department performance.

Scheduled servicing and inspection performed on equipment at defined intervals to reduce failures and extend useful life. Frequencies are based on manufacturer recommendations, risk, and historical performance.

Unscheduled repair work performed after equipment fails or is found defective. It restores the device to safe operating condition and is typically documented on a work order.

Inspection and performance testing done when new equipment arrives and before clinical use. It verifies the device matches the order, arrived undamaged, and meets manufacturer and safety specifications.

A written plan describing how an organization manages its medical equipment: inventory, maintenance strategies, risk assessment, incident reporting, and staff responsibilities. It is commonly required by accreditation standards.

A maintained record of every medical device owned or managed, including location, serial number, maintenance history, and risk category. It forms the basis for scheduling, budgeting, and recall tracking.

The full lifetime cost of owning equipment, including purchase price, installation, maintenance, supplies, training, utilities, and disposal. Comparing total cost helps leaders choose the most economical option.

A plan for major purchases and investments expected to provide benefit beyond one year, such as imaging systems or building projects. Requests are usually justified with clinical need and financial analysis.

The systematic allocation of an asset's purchase cost over its useful life. It spreads expense across accounting periods and helps estimate remaining value for replacement planning.

A financial measure comparing the gain from an investment to its cost, often expressed as a percentage. It helps managers rank competing equipment or service proposals.

The process of forecasting when equipment should be retired and replaced, based on age, condition, support availability, and clinical need. It supports budgeting and avoids unplanned failures.

A comparison of acquiring equipment by periodic rental payments versus buying it outright. The decision considers cash flow, tax effects, maintenance responsibility, and expected useful life.

A national fire and life safety code for health care facilities that addresses electrical systems, medical gas, vacuum systems, and equipment. It sets requirements intended to reduce fire, explosion, and shock hazards.

Accreditation standards covering safety, security, hazardous materials, fire safety, medical equipment, and utilities. Organizations must plan, monitor, and document these areas to remain accredited.

Federal requirements that health care organizations must meet to receive Medicare and Medicaid payment. They cover patient rights, safety, quality, and environment of care, and are enforced through surveys.

An international series of standards for the basic safety and essential performance of medical electrical equipment. It covers electrical shock, leakage current, and electromagnetic compatibility requirements.

A premarket submission showing that a new medical device is substantially equivalent to a legally marketed device. Clearance allows the device to be sold in the United States.

A 1990 federal law requiring health care facilities to report device-related deaths and serious injuries to the FDA and manufacturer, and to track certain implanted devices.

A written response to deficiencies found during a regulatory or accreditation survey. It states what will be fixed, who is responsible, and when the correction will be completed.

A proactive team method that identifies ways a process or device can fail, estimates severity and likelihood, and prioritizes actions to reduce risk before harm occurs.

A structured review conducted after a serious adverse event to find underlying system causes and prevent recurrence. It focuses on processes and conditions rather than blaming individuals.

An unexpected occurrence involving death, serious physical or psychological injury, or the risk of such outcomes. Organizations typically analyze these events and report them under accreditation requirements.

A structured process for identifying hazards that could affect an organization and estimating their likelihood and impact. Results guide emergency preparedness planning and resource allocation.

Reduced sensitivity to alarms caused by excessive or nonactionable alerts. It can lead to delayed response and patient harm, so organizations set alarm parameters and monitor response.

Measurement of leakage current, grounding, and insulation on medical equipment to confirm it is safe for patient contact. Testing follows manufacturer instructions and applicable standards.

A management approach that encourages reporting of errors while distinguishing human error from reckless behavior. It supports learning and accountability without punishing honest mistakes.

A documented process for verifying that staff have the knowledge and skills to perform assigned tasks safely. It may include observation, testing, and continuing education records.

The structured approach to planning, communicating, and supporting transitions in technology, process, or organization so that staff adopt changes effectively and disruption is minimized.

Planned sharing of information with the people affected by or interested in a project, tailored to their needs. It builds support, reduces resistance, and keeps decisions transparent.

Identifying and developing staff who can fill key roles when current leaders leave. It reduces disruption and preserves institutional knowledge.

Protecting medical devices and their networks from unauthorized access, tampering, or disruption. It includes inventory, risk assessment, patching, and coordination with IT and vendors.

Dividing a computer network into separate zones so that a compromise in one area cannot easily spread. Medical devices are often isolated from general business systems.

A planned process for identifying, testing, and installing software updates that fix security vulnerabilities. In health care, patches must be coordinated with vendors and clinical schedules.

Federal rules requiring safeguards for electronic protected health information, including administrative, physical, and technical controls. Organizations must assess risk and respond to security incidents.

A documented procedure for detecting, containing, and recovering from security or safety incidents. It assigns roles, defines communication, and includes post-incident review.

Networked medical devices and sensors that collect and exchange patient data, such as infusion pumps and monitors. Their connectivity improves care but expands the security attack surface.