Medical devices

Management and use

To ensure access to appropriate medical devices, proper management and use of medical equipment must be considered. This area is often referred to as clinical engineering or health-care technology management. The management process begins with understanding the needs of the country, region, community, or facility and ends with decommissioning. In between, the process consists of good procurement practices, appropriate donation solicitation and provision, logistics of delivery and installation, inventory management, maintenance, safe use and training, and measurement of clinical effectiveness.

WHO recognizes the importance of medical device management in contributing to the provision of quality health care and thus, under the Global Initiative on Health Technologies began developing tools and resources for Member States in this critical area. The first products to be published are available here with the remaining documents to follow.

Health technology management resources

The WHO Medical device technical series consists of reference documents to assist countries in ensuring improved access, quality and use of medical devices. The flow diagram pictured here demonstrates how management fits into this overall goal. The documents themselves are meant to assist countries in maximizing their management activities.

Needs assessment

Procurement process resource guide

Donation

Inventory Management

Maintenance

Computerized maintenance management system

Related links and files:

National Regulatory Authorities

Publications and other resources

Contact information

medicaldevices@who.int

Diagnostic Imaging and Medical Devices
Essential Medicines and Health Products
20 Avenue Appia
1211, Geneva 27
Phone: +41 22 791 1239
Fax: +41 22 791 4836