Rhodes University Information Systems: Anaesthetics Maintenance Plan

This dissertation from Rhodes University examines a 5-year plan for anaesthetics service maintenance at St. Thomas Hospital, comparing the costs and benefits of in-house maintenance versus a contract with Dragger. The study employs a mixed-method approach, using both qualitative and quantitative data collection through document assessment and cross-sectional surveys with 30 participants. The research aims to determine the financial implications of servicing the equipment in-house, developing an inspection and repair plan, and providing technical training. The findings indicate that in-house maintenance is more cost-effective, but requires appropriate training, monitoring, and control. The dissertation includes an introduction, literature review, methodology, data analysis, conclusions, and recommendations, alongside appendices containing the survey questionnaire and project plan. It also addresses limitations related to survey access and sample size.

Compiled by KEM Krauss © Rhodes University 2014
5 YEARS PLAN FOR ANAESTHETICS SERVICE
MAINTENANCE IN HOUSE
Submitted in (partial) fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of
….. (DEGREE)…. IN INFORMATION SYSTEMS
(FACULTY OF COMMERCE)
RHODES UNIVERSITY
by
Full Name/s & Surname
MONTH AND YEAR
i

Compiled by KEM Krauss © Rhodes University 2014
THIS WILL BE THE TITLE OF THE THESIS OR
DISSERTATION
by
Full Name/s & Surname
SUPERVISOR/S: PROF/DR/MR/MS ……
DEPARTMENT: DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION SYSTEMS
FACULTY: FACULTY OF COMMERCE, RHODES UNIVERSITY
DEGREE: …..
Abstract
St. Thomas hospital is currently having a 5-year anaesthetics maintenance contract with
Dragger which will expire in November 2019. The contract includes maintenance and repair
of anaesthetics machine once in every 12 months which does not include spare parts involved
in the repairs. The purpose of this study was to compare the cost of maintenance of the
anaesthetic machine for which the cost analysis is made between the ongoing contract with
the company and the in-house maintenance of the anaesthetic machine, in order to investigate
the financial implications in servicing the equipment in house.
In this study the mixed method has been used where both qualitative and quantitative data
collection and analysis process will be conducted. Two types of study procedure have been
used for this project namely the document assessment and cross-sectional survey. The
primary research was conducted on 30 participants.
From the results it has been found that the in-house maintenance system will be more cost
effective and financially beneficial for the organisation than outsourcing the anaesthesia
equipments maintenance service. It has been also found that to sustain the in-house
maintenance system appropriate training, monitoring and control will be required.
ii

Compiled by KEM Krauss © Rhodes University 2014
KEYWORDS: Anaesthetic apparatus; In-house; maintenance; service cost;
management;
Declaration
I declare that the Dissertation/Thesis entitled, ……. , which I hereby submit for the degree,
…… at Rhodes University, is my own work. I also declare that this thesis/dissertation has not
previously been submitted by me for a degree at this or any other tertiary institution and that
all the sources that I have used or quoted have been indicated and acknowledged by means of
complete references.
________________
Name Surname (signed)
iii

Compiled by KEM Krauss © Rhodes University 2014
Acknowledgements
I wish to thank my supervisor, Prof …… for the way in which she empowered me to do and
complete my research ….. I would also like to thank my friends and family members who
continuously supported me psychologically to continue this study.
iv

Compiled by KEM Krauss © Rhodes University 2014
Table of Contents
Abstract___________________________________________________________________ii
Declaration________________________________________________________________iii
Acknowledgements__________________________________________________________iv
Table of Contents___________________________________________________________1
List of Figures______________________________________________________________4
List of Tables_______________________________________________________________4
CHAPTER 1..............................................................................................................................5
Introduction and project overview............................................................................................5
1.1 Introduction and background______________________________________________5
1.2 Problem statement and research questions___________________________________5
1.3 Aim of this study_________________________________________________________6
1.4 Objective of the study_____________________________________________________6
1.5 Research Questions_______________________________________________________6
1.6 Research Hypothesis______________________________________________________7
1. 7 Overview of the methodological approach___________________________________7
1.8 Research contribution_____________________________________________________7
1.9 Thesis structure__________________________________________________________8
1.10 Limitation of the Study___________________________________________________8
1.11 Conclusion_____________________________________________________________8
CHAPTER 2..............................................................................................................................9
Review of Literature..................................................................................................................9
2.1 Introduction_____________________________________________________________9
2.2 Quality Models__________________________________________________________9
2.3 Model ISO 9001 2015____________________________________________________10
2.4 European Quality Award_________________________________________________10
2.5 Conclusion_____________________________________________________________10
1

Compiled by KEM Krauss © Rhodes University 2014
CHAPTER 3............................................................................................................................11
Research Methodology............................................................................................................11
3.1 Introduction____________________________________________________________11
3.2 Research design_________________________________________________________11
3.3 Procedure of study______________________________________________________11
3.4 Population and sample of study____________________________________________11
3.5 study instrument________________________________________________________12
3.6 Pilot of study___________________________________________________________12
3.7 Validity________________________________________________________________12
3.8 Reliability______________________________________________________________12
3.9 Data collection procedure________________________________________________13
3.10 Data analysis procedure_________________________________________________14
3.11 Conclusion____________________________________________________________15
CHAPTER 4............................................................................................................................16
Data analysis and results........................................................................................................16
4.1 Introduction____________________________________________________________16
4.2 Analysis of quantitative findings___________________________________________16
4.3 Analysis of qualitative findings____________________________________________18
4.3 Analysis_______________________________________________________________20
4.4 Conclusion_____________________________________________________________20
CHAPTER 5............................................................................................................................21
Conclusions and contributions...............................................................................................21
5.1 Introduction____________________________________________________________21
5.2 Summary of the thesis____________________________________________________21
5.3 Answers of the research questions__________________________________________21
5.4 Key contributions_______________________________________________________22
5.5 Recommendations and Limitations_________________________________________22
References................................................................................................................................23
2

Compiled by KEM Krauss © Rhodes University 2014
Appendices...............................................................................................................................24
Appendix A – Survey Questionnaire___________________________________________24
Appendix B – Project plan___________________________________________________26
3

Compiled by KEM Krauss © Rhodes University 2014
List of Figures
Figure 1: Conceptual structure................................................................................................8
Figure 2: Cost tally..................................................................................................................20
List of Tables
Table 1: Department................................................................................................................16
Table 2: Job role......................................................................................................................16
Table 3: Experience in this organization...............................................................................17
Table 4: Findings from major variables.................................................................................18
Table 5: Cost Estimation.........................................................................................................18
Table 6: Labour cost analysis.................................................................................................19
Table 7: In House cost for PPM.............................................................................................19
4

Compiled by KEM Krauss © Rhodes University 2014
CHAPTER 1
Introduction and project overview
1.1 Introduction and background
 1.1.1 Competitive funding changes in health care systems place hospitals under
increasing cost pressures. Hospitals are encouraged to work more efficiently, reduce
costs and adjust treatment protocols to secure their economic survival, which is
essential in every healthcare system. As the cost reduction in hospitals is a major
objective, evaluation of in-house service for anaesthetic machines is conducted.
 1.1.2. St. Thomas hospital is currently having a 5-year anaesthetics maintenance
contract with Dragger which will expire in November 2019. The contract includes
maintenance and repair of anaesthetics machine once in every 12 months which does
not include spare parts involved in the repairs.
 1.1.3. Servicing in house is a risk to reduce the incidents in the trust. But the service
cos of the equipment is too expensive and the trust is trying to save money as in a
competitive economy improvement and cost reductions are necessary for staying in
business.
 1.1.4. Checking the correct functioning of anaesthetic apparatus before use is a
Mandatory procedure. In 1990 the Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and
Ireland published a ‘Checklist for Anaesthetic Machines’
1.2 Problem statement and research questions
 The department in EBME have the facilities to perform the maintenance for the
anaesthetics machines. However, need to employ 2 bands 7 with experience in
anaesthetics. The service manual refers to this note in the page Furthermore; we have
to prepare training in for not less than 4 people from the trust. The reason is we don’t
have anybody with experience doing the anaesthetics job in guys and st Thomas
hospital. Which means,
5

Compiled by KEM Krauss © Rhodes University 2014
 We have to prepare the staff to perform the maintenance in those equipment’s before
take the contract.
 Another critical problem is dragger has a contract and this contract expires in March
2018.
 To buy the equipment necessary to use in the calibration procedures and servicing the
anaesthetics machine.
1.3 Aim of this study
The Aim of this study was to compare the cost of maintenance of the anaesthetic machine for
which the cost analysis is made between the ongoing contract with the company and the in-
house maintenance of the anaesthetic machine, in order to investigate the financial
implications in servicing the equipment in house.
1.4 Objective of the study
• Develop inspection and repair plan for anaesthetics medical devices in the trust
• Evaluate the physic condition of the equipment in the trust
• To find out the job specific the dragger is doing Perform the investigation of the
contract. Compare with the maintenance performed by dragger display the report the facility
to do house if it is economical to do it.
• Provide technical training to the staff and plan for 5 years
• Service 102 anaesthetics machines used across site in guys and st Thomas hospital.
• Generate savings for the trust servicing the unit’s in house and fast response for the
repairs.
• 2020 service anaesthetics machines in house.
1.5 Research Questions
The purpose of this research questions are to set of exploration goals that need to be achieved
through this research project. The research questions of this study are:
• What is the current state of equipment efficiency and condition?
6

Compiled by KEM Krauss © Rhodes University 2014
• Is in-house anaesthetic equipment repair and maintenance service better than the
service provided by Dagger ?
• What will be the inspection and repair plan for anaesthetics medical devices?
• What will be the technical training plan for next five years?
• What will be the planning for in house maintenance service for 102 anaesthetics
machines used across site in guys and St Thomas hospital?
1.6 Research Hypothesis
This study has only one hypothesis and the hypothesis of this study is
• The anaesthetics in house equipment operation and maintenance service is better than
the anaesthetics doing by Dragger Company
1. 7 Overview of the methodological approach
In this study the mixed method has been used where both qualitative and quantitative data
collection and analysis process will be conducted. Two types of study procedure have been
used for this project namely the document assessment and cross-sectional survey.
1.8 Research contribution
There are several significances of this study for the healthcare organisation as well as the
study of process improvement based project management. The significances of this study are:
1.8.1 Developing a autonomous and more cost effective healthcare service providing facility
will improve the operational efficiency of the healthcare service procedures
1.8.2 Determine the specific contribution to the department due to the staff going to be
qualified for anaesthetics repair and even in a future we can save more money in repairs for
the trust.
1.8.3 The research study is a way to improve or develop new ways of saving capital from
over expanses for the trust (EBME), which will provide major financial benefit in long run.
1.8.4 Development of worthy workforce will empower the department with knowledge and
efficient learning/Repair of new skills in anaesthetics maintenance.
7

Setting –up
Objectives
Conducting
Primary
Research
Conducting
Secondary
Research
Situation
analysis
Scope
assessment
Implementation
plan
Compiled by KEM Krauss © Rhodes University 2014
1.9 Thesis structure
Figure 1: Conceptual structure
1.10 Limitation of the Study
I conducted a survey to obtain my research results, my samples were asked to respond to the
Likert survey research questions. However, I have had limited ability to gain access to the
appropriate to theatres. Also the survey was done during working hours and people just
answer the questions and was difficult to find out if the answer was provide was 100%. The
reliability of the survey results increase with the sample size. In this case the sample size was
small. Therefore, reliability of the results can get affected.
1.11 Conclusion
As per the above discussion of the aims and objectives it can be clearly concluded that this
study requires several section of data presentation, decision making and discussion. In the
following section the literature review has been presented followed by the methodology.
After methodology, the data analysis and finding have been presented on which the
conclusion and recommendation have been developed. Based on the study the 5 years plan
has been develop considering the training, development of in-house maintenance service.
8