Before we moved into the present hospital building in October 2000, we took the opportunity to thoroughly review our medical equipment management system and developed a new centralized management system. With the introduction of the new system, we have made a complete list [an inventory] of medical equipment on hand from small-size instruments to large-scale machinery. We have now become able to grasp the frequency of use of ME, the cause of mechanical trouble, the cost of repairing and so forth. In the future, this system will be further improved so as to enable us to incorporate a labor-saving procedure for equipment lending into the system, share information with other departments, and work out a net working rate and repair rate to make purchasing or disposal plans.Medical care and health services of today cannot be provided without use of modern medical equipment. Under the circumstances, the prevention of accidents and grasp of the optimum amount of machinery and equipment are important. At the same time, the reduction of cost by adequate maintenance work is essential. We think that our centralized equipment management system will work effectively and serve the purpose.
medical equipment ; Equipment used ; Work ; Hospitals ; Management

A survey was carried out on how the To-no District is coping with the need of first aid for patients requiring life-supporting treatment before hospitalization. Although there were cities in this district where statistics on first aid were not available, the survey found that, during the 4-year period from 1994 through 1997, bystander CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) saved 11.2% of the lives of patients with CPA (cardiopulmonary arrest). Incidentally, 11.3% of the population attended CPR courses offered by public institutions. Gifu Prefecture has helicopters for use in rescue work, but the survey found that some cities had not ever sponsored drills using helicopters in life-saving operations. Our findings revealed the indifference of the general public as well as administrators in this district toward emergency care. Public recognition of the importance of the care of suddenly ill or injured patients must be gained. Furthermore, acquisition of skills required for first aid by lay people and technical improvement of these skills in professional rescuers are necessary. The authors think that these are the community educational responsibility of hospitals and other medical institutions.