Training activity information
Details
Support and undertake activities within the equipment lifecycle to include:
- Review of pre-acquisition information
- Acceptance testing
- Planned maintenance and repair
- Decommissioning
Type
Developmental training activity (DTA)
Evidence requirements
Evidence the activity has been undertaken by the trainee.
Reflection on the activity at one or more time points after the event including learning from the activity and/or areas of the trainees practice for development.
An action plan to implement learning and/or to address skills or knowledge gaps identified.
Considerations
- Stages of the equipment lifecycle
- Safe working practices
- Data management
- Impact on equipment management on clinical service
- Organisational policies
- Regulations and legislation
- Best practice guidelines
- Liaison with equipment stakeholders
- Liaison with other support service stakeholders
- Information governance
Reflective practice guidance
The guidance below is provided to support reflection at different time points, providing you with questions to aid you to reflect for this training activity. They are provided for guidance and should not be considered as a mandatory checklist. Trainees should not be expected to provide answers to each of the guidance questions listed.
Before action
- What are the key steps and considerations within each stage of the lifecycle mentioned?
- What information should you look for when reviewing pre-acquisition documents?
- What are the critical aspects of acceptance testing, planned maintenance, repair, and decommissioning processes?
- What specific skills or knowledge do you hope to develop related to the equipment lifecycle?
- What do you anticipate learning from participating in each of these activities?
- What prior knowledge do you have about medical devices and their management?
- How will you familiarise yourself with the relevant procedures and protocols for each stage of the equipment lifecycle?
- Who can you ask for guidance on these processes?
- What potential challenges might you encounter during each activity (e.g., identifying key information in pre-acquisition documents, performing specific tests, troubleshooting issues), and how might you address them?
- How do you feel about engaging in these hands-on activities?
In action
- During each stage of the equipment lifecycle activity you are undertaking, what specific actions are you performing, and why are you choosing these particular methods?
- As you progress through the activity (e.g., acceptance testing), how effective are your checks and procedures in identifying potential issues?
- If you encounter unexpected findings or challenges, what alternative approaches are you considering to address them?
On action
- Summarise the specific lifecycle activity (or activities) you supported.
- What were the key steps and considerations involved?
- What did you learn about the specific stage(s) of the equipment lifecycle you were involved in?
- Did you improve your understanding of legislative and best practice requirements?
- How was device risk management considered?
- Were there any unexpected issues or findings during the activity?
- What did you learn from how these were addressed?
- How did your understanding or approach evolve as you participated in the activity (reflection-in-action)?
- How does this experience contribute to your understanding of the healthcare technology management lifecycle?
- What specific skills or knowledge related to the equipment lifecycle do you need to develop further?
- How will you apply this learning to future activities within the equipment lifecycle?
- What are your next steps in learning more about equipment lifecycle management?
- What resources (e.g., specific guidance documents, mentorship) would be helpful?
Beyond action
- Have you been involved in similar equipment lifecycle activities since this DTA?
- How has your understanding of the different stages of the equipment lifecycle evolved through subsequent experiences?
- Have you compared your initial understanding and approach to these activities with your current knowledge and skills?
- How has this experience informed your current approach to reviewing pre-acquisition information, conducting acceptance testing, or participating in maintenance and decommissioning processes?
- Have you applied the knowledge gained about equipment lifecycle management in other contexts, such as risk assessments or incident investigations?
- Has your appreciation for the interconnectedness of the different stages of the equipment lifecycle changed?
- What skills related to equipment management (e.g., attention to detail, understanding of regulatory requirements, problem-solving) did you develop that will be valuable in future roles or responsibilities?
- How has this experience shaped your understanding of the importance of a systematic approach to healthcare technology management?
- What actions will you take to further develop your expertise in specific stages of the equipment lifecycle based on this and subsequent experiences?
Relevant learning outcomes
| # | Outcome |
|---|---|
| # 1 |
Outcome
Plan and manage the stages of the healthcare technology management lifecycle. |
| # 3 |
Outcome
Apply risk management strategies to the management of healthcare technology to ensure the safety of patients and healthcare professionals. |
| # 4 |
Outcome
Appraise and apply legislative frameworks for healthcare technology management. |
| # 5 |
Outcome
Practice in accordance with organisational policy for healthcare technology management. |
| # 8 |
Outcome
Identify and assess the essential performance and basic safety of healthcare technology. |