Integration of Monte Carlo simulation tool for forecasting medical equipment risks in HIQMA system

Abstract

As any technology, medical equipment provides benefits to patients, but they also present significant risks that can affect and threaten patient safety. In healthcare organizations, clinical engineering departments play a big role in maintaining the safety and reliability of medical equipment. In order to mitigate failures of such equipment and control risks, a proper Medical Equipment Management Program (MEMP) and a monitoring system should be established. The purpose of this paper is to forecast risks by using Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA) method and apply it on Monte Carlo simulation which adds risks analysis to Excel® by @RISK tool. The data of some medical devices is extracted from a hospital's maintenance management system and are identified according to their likelihood, severity, and difficulty of detection. However, the results of this mathematical simulation are integrated in a probability distribution function, and then this is integrated in the existing Hospital Institution Quality Management (HIQMA) system that enables us to identify medical equipment risks that affect patients, staff, and the work environment and mitigate them by providing contingency plans, policies, strategies, and other tactics.