Healthcare Technology Management - A Systematic Approach

Medical equipment management is a large and diverse area. Therefore, it is perhaps not surprising that books comprehensively covering the topic are few and far between. I was pleased when I heard about the publication of Healthcare Technology Management: A Systematic Approach. Other books I have read which cover medical equipment management have taken a rather hands-off approach to the topic...This book presents a loftier ambition, inviting the reader to apply a systematic approach to the management of healthcare technology... At the end of each chapter are self-directed learning points and case studies. These help emphasise that the authors intended this book to be actively engaged with, not just read. In particular, I was impressed with the effort that has clearly gone into putting the case studies together. Evidently written based upon the authors' personal experiences within clinical engineering, these painted a colourful picture of how the various topics discussed may apply to real-life situations... The standard of writing remains high throughout the book and, combined with a distinct lack of errors for a first edition, make the text a pleasure to read... For anyone within this profession, I would not hesitate to recommend it...This book is unique in the guidance it gives to the established clinical engineer to better utilise the medical equipment at their disposal.

-Dr Michael Ayers in IPEM Scope Reviews, September and December 2017

Congratulations to the team of authors...who have given the world of clinical engineering this fantastic resource, which will go on our frequently-accessed shelves...This is a must-have, on-desk reference book for all clinical engineers...This book is a gift because it overviews all aspects of health technology management and then digs deeper, offers tools, and brings all of the relevant and up to date information together in one place. I recommend, a reasonably thorough read of the whole book in the first instance, and then holding it readily accessible for reference...This publication is not just a resource for practitioners but a roadmap for new entrants to clinical engineers and a shop front for one of the most rewarding, fast-moving, and exciting engineering disciplines.
-Meabh Smith, in BEAI Spectrum, Summer 2017

The book's value is that it gives us a different perspective - new ways of thinking about old problems...I liked this book a lot and plan to dig more deeply into some of the material for use in my consulting practice. The text is clearly written and is informed by the wide-ranging experience of the authors. Numerous tables and figures to illustrate the text are included...The fundamental chapters all include case studies.
-Matthew F. Baretich, PhD, in Biomedical Instrumentation & Technology, March/April 2017

A delightful book; something for everyone. This book crosses national borders and regional variations to get to the heart of the matter: the explosive growth of technology in healthcare has simultaneously increased both our capabilities - as well as risk - and clinical engineers are the experts at managing both. This book divulges the secrets of the behind-the-scenes experts of system design - tools which will help anyone who wishes to harness the power of technology to optimize any process for both effectiveness and safety. This book is at once a compelling quick-read as well as a detailed reference manual. It would serve as both an ideal primer for clinicians as well as a library staple for anyone interested in understanding how to manage the complexity of the entire continuum of patient care.
-Michael Appel, MD, Chief Patient Safety Officer, Northeast Georgia Health System, Inc., USA

This book is a comprehensive, up to date, and accurate exploration of clinical engineering within the health care system. Tackling every important aspect of this work in a very understandable way, the authors make clear the potential benefits of clinical engineering and its importance for advancing healthcare. This book is ideal for those just beginning their careers as biomedical technicians and clinical engineers, in addition to senior engineers and technicians, who will discover new perspectives for their work. I would also recommend the book to managers in other industries that are willing to try healthcare technology management.
-Magnus Stridsman, MSc, Region OEstergoetland University Hospital, Sweden

Normally technical books can be quite boring to read. You search through the index, go directly to the information required, extract what is needed for your article or practice, and put the book back on the bookshelf.
When I started reading this book, my expectation was that this would be just another technical book. However, to my surprise, I really enjoyed it and wanted to keep reading! In particular, I was impressed with the book's range of subjects and the ways in which the authors presented each chapter: the figures are well-designed and the information, tools, and processes are explained thoroughly. The sequence of subjects follows a logical order, making it easy for the reader to understand what is presented, using the knowledge gained from the previous chapters.Each chapter also features a series of useful questions and case studies, enabling the reader to test their comprehension and further explore the practical applications of the topics.
This text covers most of the topics needed for a Clinical Engineer to develop a good and strong management system in a health environment. As a teacher and coordinator of a Clinical Engineering training course, as well as a graduating course of Biomedical Engineering, I am always looking for new and good sources of material regarding Clinical Engineering, and I can fully recommend this book for those interested in learning how to improve the activities in their profession.
-Saide Jorge Calil, MSc, PhD, University of Campinas (UNICAMP) - Brazil

This book is a comprehensive treatment of Healthcare Technology Management (HTM) written in an easy and engaging style. The authors set out to provide a systematic approach to the topic and certainly succeed in doing so. The wealth of experience captured in this book is clear and makes this a significant, and perhaps unique, reference text particularly within an NHS context. It should be seen as essential reading for students and trainees looking to specialise in this exciting and challenging field. The book utilises the Asset Management Standard (ISO 55000) as a key reference which is a helpful way to present and describe the challenges of HTM and enables a clear description for organisations to set out their approach to this topic.
-Dan Clark, Head of Clinical Engineering, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust

Since concluding my doctorate in public health, I have been looking for a new approach to clinical engineering service (CES) with the aim to reposition it within the healthcare service and I found exactly what I was looking for in this book. Much of the existing literature on the subject focuses only on managerial technical work restricted to CES traditional activities. But in Healthcare Technology Management, the authors add strategic activities to this essentially technical role that go beyond the limits of the CES; inputting responsibility in the sustainability of the healthcare service as a whole, as well as in safety and patient / client satisfaction. It also identifies the clinical engineer as a prominent professional in the important processes and projects of the healthcare unit.
This innovative approach is done in a masterful way. The authors use simple language, which is easy-to-understand even for those whose mother tongue is not English. They also provide a complete and vibrant perspective on the subject, in addition to a rich bibliography and many case studies that facilitate further learning. I am sure this new book will be quickly adopted as an essential text for courses related to health technology management around the world - I just wish I had been given the opportunity to study clinical engineering with it!
-Mara Souza, Professor of Instituto Federal da Bahia, Brazil

Healthcare Technology Management is a comprehensive treatment of the field of Clinical Engineering. It is well researched, with an excellent mix of explanation, self-study, and case studies. Examples within the text help highlight the concepts shared in the sections, while the self-study and case study sections provide a mechanism to thoroughly understand the chapters' topics. I am especially impressed with the excellent coverage and emphasis of Systems Engineering; I recommend using that chapter as a reference for others in healthcare to educate them on Clinical Engineering's Systems Engineering capabilities. It also provides convincing arguments for, and examples of, basing the HTM department on relevant standards, such as ISO 55000, 80001 and 60601.
Healthcare Technology Management effectively links the HTM department operation to organizational goals, as well as emphasizing the balance of `ideal' goals with real world limitations. This book is well researched and will be suitable as both a textbook for students and as an excellent reference for experienced professionals, especially those seeking certification.
-Paul Sherman, CCE, FACCE

This book brings together all elements of modern Healthcare Technology Management that can be applied and recognised globally. Its practical case studies and extensive references make it a universal reference text that will be of use for all involved in the Healthcare Technology business. The text is well researched and written to provide a comprehensive guide for clinical engineering practitioners and for those aspiring to a career in clinical engineering. The authors should be applauded for their efforts in bridging the gap between the theoretical principles of Health Technology Management and their application in everyday clinical engineering practice. This is a highly recommended text, which will become a corner stone reference text for the Biomedical Engineering profession.
-Kyril Belle, Director Biomedical Engineering, Australian Capital Territory Health, Australia

What a fantastic treasure is this book - a thorough and academic, but practical, overview of the whole subject of Healthcare Technology Management! Its many chapters cover everything you need to know and, to give more value, each chapter has self-directed learning questions, many useful case studies, and comprehensive references. This book would be an excellent course book, and would be suitable for undergraduates and postgraduates, in addition to individuals interested in medical engineering and management.
Healthcare Technology Management is evolving rapidly with changes in finance, legislation, IT interaction, and how apps are coming into the picture. This book covers these subjects, but also encourages the reader to think much wider and to take a systems approach to the whole strategy of advancing and supporting healthcare technology. There are frequent references to UK, US, and other country regulatory requirements and learned papers so the reader is quickly appraised of current thinking. Applying this knowledge could easily help hospitals and medical centres reduce costs through effective management whilst maintaining patient safety.
-Peter H. Smithson, Consultant Clinical Engineer CliniBizTech Solutions Ltd. (Previously Head of Medical Equipment Management Organisation, University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust)

As the healthcare technology employed by clinicians and healthcare providers has evolved, diversified and become more complex over the past few decades, so have the skills and knowledge required to effectively manage the technology and the environment in which it is used. This book provides the reader, whether studying for a career in clinical engineering or well established in their career, with a comprehensive manual on healthcare technology management. For the student, it is an excellent text. For the experienced, a thorough subject matter reference. Well written, the text provides a methodical and practice approach to establishing a healthcare technology management framework, which is patient care focused and value adding to the responsible organisation.
-Phillip Thorburn, Senior Biomedical Engineer, Australian Capital Territory Health, Australia