Ageing surgical equipment, particularly operating tables, can greatly affect medical outcomes, warns Sam Parry. This article discusses the importance of modernising equipment in the operating theatre and how this can improve efficiency and reduce the risk of downtime.
Last year, a Freedom of Information request found that 4 in 10 NHS hospitals are relying on outdated medical equipment — forcing Trusts to use hard-pressed budgets to fix obsolete equipment.1 Reliance on outdated equipment can lead to downtime at a time when staff are battling the backlog. It increases maintenance costs, and means that staff and patients are unable to benefit from the latest advances in technology, which can impact patient outcomes and hinder clinical innovation.
In short, the reliability of surgical equipment is pivotal for providing the best patient care and operational efficiency. One area that does not receive enough attention and is often overlooked is the operating table, and yet this is at the centre of all surgical procedures. We know that when an operating table fails, the consequences for patients can be serious.2
Many healthcare facilities, both in the NHS and the private sector, face the onerous challenges posed by ageing operating tables. The consequences of overreliance on obsolete surgical equipment are clear. However, by modernising operating tables, the industry can enhance efficiency, improve patient care, and achieve significant financial benefits.
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