The Benefits of a CMMS in Health Care Facilities

Health care facilities include living space, office space, recreation space, and specialized equipment that must be meticulously maintained. All such facilities face a number of maintenance needs:

1. The facility must maintain high standards of appearance, comfort, and safety.
2. The facility typically has to comply with stringent government regulations and performance audits.
3. The maintenance department must satisfy those who use the facility (e.g. with timely and effective response to problem reports).
4. Board members, directors, and managers must protect themselves against liability claims from anyone injured on the premises.

How can a CMMS address these needs?

• Preventive maintenance scheduling ensures that boilers, air-conditioning equipment, service vehicles, etc. are maintained according to manufacturers' specs and good maintenance procedures.
• Medical equipment in particular requires frequent inspections and maintenance to make sure it is in proper running order. A CMMS makes it easier to keep to required schedules...and to prove to government audits that you're doing so.
• A CMMS makes it easy for workers to find information, including schematic drawings, blueprints, manuals, pictures, equipment specifications, and anything else that might be useful for a job.
• A CMMS can make sure that problem reports don't fall through the cracks. It can also track costs by tenant (when appropriate) to allow for back-charging or to justify costs at contract renewal time.
• CMMS data records exactly what work is done when. This can be invaluable evidence to support you in liability suits, proving that you conscientiously did what you were supposed to.