Quantification Methodology of Health Technology in Senegalese Healthcare Facilities via New Indicator—“TechSan”

Abstract

For more than 30 years, the management of medical equipment has largely focused on maintenance aspects. Many inventory-based indicators have been developed to ensure optimal follow-up of devices. However, certain qualitative aspects of medical devices are not taken into account by these usual indicators. This motivated the development of a quantifying indicator of “health technology” specific to each medical device and called “TechSan.” Based on the work of Fennigkoh and Smith in 1989 (Clinical equipment management. Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations Plant Technology and Safety Management Series, 2:5–14), TechSan quantitatively characterizes “health technology” content of each medical device through the sum of the weighted criteria relating to “equipment cost,” importance of contribution to care missions, “and “level of maintenance required.”