Resources
Table 15-6 shows the availability of resources other than personnel, which was discussed earlier. The respondents were invited to state the value of their test equipment, spare parts inventory, and budget, as a percentage of the value of biomedical equipment under CED’s responsibility. Enormous variations in the reported data are observed. These questions were also not always answered. Therefore, regional analysis and comparisons for these options were not made. According to the responses, a high percentage of departments in all regions have inadequate staffing levels. Figure 15-9 captures opinions of the respondents on the need for engineers and BMETs. The call for BMETs is quite high in all regions surveyed; moreover, it appears to be higher than the need for engineers. The smallest need of engineers is reported in North America and Western Europe. Figure 15-10 shows opinions on adequacy of test equipment, spare parts, and space allocation. A level of test equipment, which amounts to at least 1% of the equipment value supported, seems to be adequate for the majority of respondents. It appears, as well, that the same level of at least 1% provides a good basis on which to build spare parts inventory. The value of biomedical equipment under CED management has increased appreciably since the last survey. This percentage reflects as well the significant increase of the value of test equipment and spare parts inventory. A space allocation of at least 20 square meters per person is considered necessary for departments. The trend from the previous survey of more generous space allocations in the Nordic countries is also seen in the present survey, where 75% of the respondents report having more than 20 square meters per person, followed by 72% in Australia. Departments in Latin America are the least spacious with 94%, with less than 15 square meters per person; the majority are not satisfied with the situation.