All preventive, acute, and chronic care services are delivered accurately and correctly.
● All indicated services are delivered at the right time.
● Services not helpful to the patient or reasonably cost-effective are avoided.
● Safety hazards and errors that harm patients and employees are avoided.
● The patient’s unique needs and preferences are respected.
The definition of health technology used by the World Health Organization (WHO)
includes drugs; devices; medical and surgical procedures; the knowledge associated with
these in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of disease as well as in rehabilitation;
and the organizational and supportive systems within which care is provided. This section
of the Handbook does not include focus on management of drugs, technology users, or
evidence-based clinical procedures. However, it does include management of other health
technology assets, such as medical devices and supplies; physical infrastructure, such as
health buildings and associated services and utilities; and logistics support and information
systems. These latter items are important technology components in ensuring quality
and cost-effective outcomes for patients.
Health technology management (HTM) is defined as a systematic process in which qualified
health care professionals, typically clinical engineers (with their unique ability to visualize
a wide range of systems issues and to determine important linkages and solutions), in
partnership with other health care leaders, plan for and manage health technology assets to
achieve the highest quality care at the best cost. HTM activities in classical terms begin with
strategic planning as well as technology assessment and facilities planning, proceed with
technology procurement, and conclude with service or maintenance management.
Nearly 20 esteemed colleagues have made major contributions to this section, describing
the impact of a wide range of HTM activities, as conducted in both developed and