Healthcare Technology Management (HTM) An Instrumental Role in Cost, Quality, and Safety

Over the past 40 years, there has been significant change in the Healthcare Technology Management Industry. In fact, over the past 20 years, the level of change has been accelerated by healthcare reform, protecting healthcare information, the progression of patients to consumers, and the overall advancement of technology. Medical equipment has evolved from standalone devices to technology transmitting data over wireless networks and providing interpretive results for clinical caregivers. Equipment like hospital beds that were categorized as furniture are now classified as clinical devices assisting in patient care. This equipment directly communicates automated data, such as patient positioning and alarm status, to clinical caregivers. Then, throw in the fact that patient care and treatment continue to move into outpatient settings and even more so into the home. This creates a new set of challenges along with developing skills outside of equipment maintenance and repair.

As mentioned above, other focus areas include protecting transmitted and stored patient data, controlling costs, and ensuring consumers' safe and effective treatment. The rapid technology change has required, and will continue to require, HTM professionals to evolve into the future. HTM staff must stay on top of technology advancements and continue to grow personally and professionally. Individuals will be required to develop soft skills, be well versed in the clinical operation of devices, and be competent in networking and security of equipment. This means we need to be more than a fix-it shop located in the basement and will require the involvement of personnel across all levels.

The Impact on HTM?

As technology advances, more devices fall into the medical equipment category. In the past, hospitals labeled several devices as simple pieces of furniture, and today, those same types of assets are integrated into patient care and treatment. This integration includes mobile carts, cameras, and off-site telehealth centers for specialty care. The equipment associated with these services will need to be maintained and monitored to ensure high-quality care and the safety of patients. The HTM department will need to be involved in this aspect and be able to define areas of responsibility and working relationships.

In other words, the advancement of technology will continue to move rapidly and require more involvement from HTM. This includes using medical equipment in the home, wearable devices, and more outpatient treatment settings. This equipment will require HTM to become more mobile and be able to adapt and work outside of the acute care setting.

HTM and Working Relationships

A recent study on “grey” area equipment conducted by the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation shows a shift in equipment responsibilities among departments like HTM, IT, Facilities Management, and Security. These shifts include hospital beds, stretchers, sterilizers, drug cabinets, security cameras, gaming systems, and cardiology storage systems. 

In some cases, it has been a full movement of service responsibilities into or out of the HTM Department, while others require a collaborative effort between departments. There are systems like Tele-Health requiring a combined effort of Information Systems, HTM, Plant Engineering, and Clinical Care Departments. Each plays a role in the service and maintenance of the system. As technology advances, this trend will continue and involve even more departments such as Pharmacy, Laboratory, Materials Management, Tele-Medicine, and Home Health.

Cybersecurity and HTM

Cybersecurity risks are a major concern for healthcare organizations in the United States and across the World. As medical equipment continues to become more integrated, the risk of these devices being utilized as an entry point to the network becomes greater. 

A breach in a hospital's network could lead to ransomware attacks, network downtime, medical equipment malfunctions, and theft of critical patient information and data. The ability to reduce cybersecurity risks and threats, involving medical equipment, requires the combined efforts of equipment manufacturers, in-house HTM departments, independent service organizations, regulatory agencies, and other HTM affiliated organizations. Also, this ongoing collaboration will ensure healthcare institutions maintain an accurate asset record and provide ongoing education to device operators and other caregivers. It is imperative that HTM and other healthcare professionals understand existing vulnerabilities, implementation of security controls, ongoing monitoring of risk, and knowledge of threats.

Cost, Quality, and Safety

Technology advancements, data protection, patient care movement away from acute care settings, potential staffing shortages, and the requirement for HTM to build relationships will continue to be focus areas as we move into the future. Yet, some of the biggest debates and struggles taking place in the past and into the future continue to be the roles played by in-house programs, independent service organizations, and equipment manufacturers. We need to face the fact a single solution is not the answer that will be most beneficial to the patient/consumer. Information gathered, and a review of existing organizations has demonstrated an ability to provide high-quality service that contributes to driving down healthcare costs and maintaining a safe environment.

Healthcare Technology Management will be instrumental in moving healthcare into the future. This includes ensuring a place for competition in the servicing and maintaining medical equipment. Regulatory agencies, such as the FDA, and guiding organizations, like the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation, play an important role within the healthcare industry. Those organizations, along with all HTM professionals, help ensure quality, safety, and cost that will benefit patients/consumers.