Introduction
In a hospital, every detail counts. Behind the quality of care lies rigorous organisation, especially in hospital maintenance management. It guarantees the availability of medical equipment, the safety of installations and compliance with standards. This article explains the challenges, tools and best practices for high‑performance hospital maintenance.
What is hospital maintenance?
Hospital maintenance covers all preventive, corrective and predictive actions aimed at ensuring the proper functioning of biomedical equipment, technical systems and infrastructure.
It usually falls into three categories:
- Preventive maintenance: scheduled interventions to avoid failures.
- Corrective maintenance: repairs after a fault has been identified.
- Predictive maintenance: anticipated through data analysis, often supported by IoT and AI.
Why is maintenance management strategic in hospitals?
- Patient and staff safety
Functioning equipment (defibrillators, ventilation systems, medical lifts) is essential for a safe environment. - Continuous service availability
Failure of an autoclave or generator can disrupt an entire operating theatre. Proper maintenance ensures continuity of care. - Regulatory compliance
Hospitals must meet strict standards such as:- HAS (French High Authority for Health)
- ISO 13485 for medical devices
- ERP fire‑safety regulations
- Cost control
Preventive maintenance is on average 3–4 × cheaper than corrective maintenance. Anticipating breakdowns optimises the hospital budget.
Tools and solutions for effective hospital maintenance
1. CMMS (Computerised Maintenance Management System)
A hospital CMMS enables you to:
- Schedule interventions
- Manage technical histories
- Track performance indicators
- Automate maintenance alerts
2. IoT and connected sensors
Smart sensors allow you to:
- Monitor the temperature of medical refrigeration equipment
- Detect leaks or imminent failures
- Anticipate malfunctions
3. Outsourcing or in‑house teams?
Some facilities outsource maintenance, while others opt for an in‑house technical department.
Key indicators to track
To manage maintenance performance, monitor:
- MTBF (Mean Time Between Failures)
- MTTR (Mean Time To Repair)
- Availability rate of critical equipment
- Number of preventive vs corrective interventions
Best practices for a successful maintenance strategy
- Establish a preventive maintenance plan
- Map critical equipment
- Train technical staff
- Keep an up‑to‑date asset database
Conclusion
Hospital maintenance management is far more than a technical service. It is a true pillar of hospital quality, at the crossroads of safety, operational efficiency and cost control. By adopting digital tools and a proactive approach, healthcare institutions can turn maintenance into a strategic asset.