The Financial Impact of Neglecting MRI PPM
A study by the WHO reports that 60% of healthcare instruments fail due to poor repair services. It highlights the significance of protecting your assets to prevent long downtimes, inaccurate diagnoses, and financial burden. One of the equipment that’s important for patient treatment is MRI, and neglecting its planned preventative maintenance can cost a healthcare institute its patients and financial stability. In fact, its downtime can cost thousands every hour. That’s why healthcare professionals feel that MRI systems are a major investment that needs to be protected.
So, what happens if you fail to invest in MRI PPM, and how can you save yourself from this financial crisis? This blog covers the role of PPM in MRI and its cost analysis against unplanned failures.
What MRI PPM Entails
The American Hospital Association reports that unplanned equipment downtime can cost an average of $50,000 per hour in US hospitals. However, PPM can reduce this downtime by 60 to 75%.
The idea is to service the equipment while it is still functioning, not after it breaks down. Here is what your planned preventative maintenance covers:
- Helium Level Monitoring (The cost of a quench)
A quench sounds insignificant, but it can be the most expensive failure of an MRI scanner. It means a rapid loss of superconductivity when the helium level is extremely low. This quench lets helium escape and instantly shuts down the magnet. This problem can lead to a downtime of days, and sometimes weeks.
Preventative measure keeps track of the helium level and ensure it is refilled on time and stable, so your machine doesn’t break down.
- Coldhead and Compressor Checks (Preventing system warming)
The coldhead and compressor work in synchronisation to maintain the magnet’s temperature. However, both components can wear off with time, leading to inefficient performance and inaccurate results. PPM prevents this problem from occurring by regularly monitoring:
- Coldhead performance
- Compressor filters, pressure, and connection
- Signs of noise, vibration, and temperature drift
Checking these signs can keep the magnet cool, as even the slightest of issues can lead to system failure.
- Coil and Gradient Calibrations (Ensuring image quality and patient safety).
The quality of an MRI image depends on the smooth functioning of gradient coils and calibrations. In case of any fault, your machine will result in inaccurate scans, loss of signal, and blurry images.
MRI PPM includes:
- Calibration and tuning of the coil
- Safety check of electrical components
- Gradient performance checks
- Scans to verify consistency
Cost Analysis: PPM vs. Unplanned Failure
Several healthcare institutes do not pay for PPM due to the high upfront cost. What’s important to realise is that unplanned failure expenses can be a lot more in the long run. Sudden breakdowns involve patient schedule disruption and loss of revenue, along with repair costs.
Here is a quick cost comparison of the two for better understanding:
- The Quench Scenario
The magnet quench can disrupt MRI operations and force an immediate shutdown. It involves the cost of helium replenishment and magnet ramp-up. Additionally, this sudden breakdown also results in lost revenue. Sudden breakdowns also disrupt operational workflow and cause weeks of interruption. PPM can prevent this scenario through regular monitoring of helium levels.
- Coil Failure
A little neglect can cost a lot of money to replace the MRI components. Due to a lack of PPM, coil wear and tear cannot be identified on time. It is only when the machine breaks down that you diagnose the problem. In case of a coil failure, your machine produces poor images and delays scanned results. However, regular inspection can help catch the issue before it turns critical.
- Loss of Calibration
Failure to meet image quality standards due to poor calibration.
An MRI machine depends on accurate calibration to produce consistent and correct results. But the calibration of gradient coils and system sensors drifts with time due to regular usage and internal factors. Unplanned failure can lead to poor results and missed diagnoses. That’s where PPM helps through regular calibration and system tests.
Optimising the PPM Schedule
A well-planned schedule for preventive maintenance helps keep the MRI scanner in check. It reduces unnecessary breakdowns and ensures critical components don’t fail for the longest time. Here is how you can plan your PPM visits:
- Follow OEM Guidelines
An MRI machine accompanies manufacturer-recommended service schedules. These visits cover component check, timely replacements, and recalibration for a smooth operational workflow.
Missing out on these schedules not only increases the risk of unexpected failures but also affects the warranty.
- Monitor Usage Metrics
Two MRIs belonging to the same model lineup can vary in functionality according to their usage. A busy diagnostic centre with regular tests will put more load on the machine compared to a healthcare institute with limited usage. Tracking metrics can help predict component wearout, adjust service frequency requirements, and plan replacement before complete failure.
- Integrating Remote Diagnostics for early warning of anomalies
Modern systems can support remote diagnosis, allowing service experts to track the machine performance and schedule maintenance visits accordingly. This diagnostic practice includes monitoring of helium levels, system temperature, and performance deviations. It helps identify anomalies before they turn into critical issues.
Conclusion
MRI scanners are more than diagnostic devices. They are key revenue-generating equipment for every healthcare institute. Skipping planned preventative maintenance may seem expensive, but it is critical to saving long-term repair costs. It helps reduce downtimes, critical damages, and inaccurate diagnoses.
Instead of reacting to failures, healthcare institutes need to opt for PPM as a strategic move. It helps increase the lifespan of equipment, meet regulatory compliance, and improve performance. Opting for PPM is necessary in a high-stakes environment where even a minor downtime can lead to patient dissatisfaction, interrupted workflow, and increased cost.
Contact a reliable maintenance and service expert like Ultravision Medical that fulfills your MRI scanner PPM requirements efficiently. Our commitment to delivering timely maintenance helps healthcare professionals keep their MRI machines in an optimal condition. With certified technicians, expect efficient repairs for minimum downtime.
