The Integrated Suite: Managing PPM for MRI, CT, and X-ray Systems

A healthcare centre cannot operate without the right set of machines, and that too in an effective working condition. Some of the vital equipment are MRI, CT, and X-Ray as they help diagnose various parts of the body. But what if all of them break down at the same time, or go for service together? The result will be extensive diagnosis delay, patient disappointment, and low revenue.

Therefore, as a hospital or private clinic operator, you must coordinate the PPM of imaging tools to prevent overlap and critical downtime. An integrated approach helps balance your maintenance schedules with clinical operations to meet patient demand.

But how to schedule the service of your assets to prevent outages and disrupt the workflow? This blog suggests a structured approach to a maintenance schedule to minimise risk and handle operational demand.

Categorizing Maintenance by Modality Risk

Every imaging asset doesn’t involve the same risk, and treating them equally can lead to diagnostic downtime. An Effective PPM planning involves categorisation of systems as per their dependency and technical complexity. The classification helps schedule the maintenance timeline and the flexibility you can avail:

• MRI

The most complex machine in a hospital is the MRI. It depends heavily on cryogens such as liquid helium, superconducting magnets, and cooling systems to operate effectively. Any sudden downtime can be expensive and time-consuming.

Therefore, specialised scheduling with the highest priority is advisable to keep MRI running efficiently. An overlap with other equipment can impact a hospital’s diagnostic capacity.

• CT Scanner

A CT Scanner is another risky piece of healthcare equipment if not well-maintained. It is integral for emergency and trauma imaging and can handle large patient volumes. Any sudden fault in its tube can affect the diagnosis and treatment outcomes.

Ensure the PPM focuses on tube performance and mechanical wear and tear from regular use. You should plan the maintenance schedule in a way that it can perform well during peak hours.

• X-ray

Maintaining and repairing an X-ray machine is simpler compared to an MRI and CT Scanner. Therefore, you can schedule its PPM at any time that you deem fit, as there won’t be a significant operational inefficiency.

PPM for an X-ray involves a focus on dosage accuracy and mechanical integrity. Although it has a low modality risk, regular maintenance is imperative to ascertain regulatory compliance, patient safety, and consistent results.

Synchronizing PPM Schedules

Now we know that different machines have specific associated risk factors. So, how do you schedule the PPMs so they sync with each other without impacting operational efficiency? Below is a quick overview of how to coordinate schedules to prevent operational inefficiency:

• Seasonal Scheduling

You don’t want a situation where the downtime of one machine puts excess load on another. Therefore, the best way is to plan your PPMs around low-volume periods. Patient visits fluctuate, especially around public holidays and seasonal illnesses. Identify those gaps and book a service accordingly. You can request PPM for MRI or CT during the low-volume period so that one diagnostic tool remains operational.

• Vendor Coordination

Managing multiple service teams can be cumbersome and expensive in the long run. Hire a single PPM expert, so you have to deal with a single point of contact. It helps align the maintenance timeline of every healthcare equipment and prevent multiple modality downtime. This approach reduces the need for continuous site visits, unwanted interactions, and oversight risks.

• Dedicated PPM Windows

You can further control clinical inefficiencies by scheduling PPM after hospital hours or on weekends. You can book PPM visits during evenings or nights, as the demand for imaging assets is substantially low. Although maintenance during non-operational hours may be costly, it prevents patient disappointment and revenue loss.

Key PPM Checks by System

Although you must synchronise PPM schedules, ensuring the right technical checks is equally important. Below are the key aspects you should take care of to maintain image quality, patient safety, and further treatment:

• MRI: Coldhead performance, helium level

Coldhead performance is key to preventing helium boil-off and maintaining stable magnetic temperature. A reduction in its efficiency can increase the operational cost and lead to shutdowns in extreme cases. Additionally, checking helium levels is important to minimise downtime. Regular inspection helps detect early warning signs, take preventive measures, and avoid the financial impact of neglecting MRI PPM.

• CT: Gantry bearing noise, dose checks

The maintenance routine of a CT scanner involves focusing on the gantry bearings. In case of any abnormal sound or vibrations, your PPM expert needs to check it at the earliest. It indicates possible wear and tear, and failure in case the problem isn’t solved. You also need to check the doses and ensure that the radiation conforms to the specified limits. Regular monitoring helps meet regulatory compliance and ensure patient safety in the long run.

• X-ray: Collimation accuracy, generator performance

Accurate collimation is imperative to keep an X-ray machine in perfect working condition. It ensures that radiation exposure remains within the prescribed limits, as any misalignment can lead to scanning errors and poor image quality. The generator performance confirms output stability and dependable exposure timing. It helps protect the machine from gradual depreciation, which can affect diagnostic results over time.

Conclusion

Scheduling PPM of MRI, CT, and X-ray machines at the same time can be problematic for your healthcare institute. But centralised management minimises downtime and boosts resource efficiency. It assures the availability of other machines even if others are under maintenance. The key is to choose a reliable vendor who can take responsibility for the maintenance of all clinical imaging assets. It creates a single point of contact so you don’t have to juggle between different dealers and stress about managing PPMs.

Ultravision Medical is a trusted medical equipment supplier that offers reliable repair services. Its team of experts is proficient in handling the service of all kinds of imaging assets. You can contact the team to learn more.