Project title: Examination of the technological and organizational possibilities of the introduction of unified asset management, with an emphasis on expensivemedical equipment of public health institutions (V5-24052)
Head of the research group: doc. dr. Dejan Ravšelj
Global advancements in science and technology have significantly improved life expectancy and quality of life. Hospitals are increasingly equippedwith innovative technologies, transforming diagnostic and treatment procedures. However, the implementation of management solutions to optimizethe utilization of these technologies is often insufficient. Many hospitals face challenges such as improper tracking of medical equipment usage,inadequate maintenance planning, and regulatory non-compliance, resulting in long patient waiting times, financial losses, and diminished credibility.Medical equipment is technically complex, requires specialized knowledge, and represents significant investments and operational costs.Accordingly, proper operation is crucial, as under-utilization and failures can severely impact patient diagnostic and treatment plans. Slovenianhospitals often focus solely on maintenance processes, neglecting other lifecycle activities, leading to inefficiencies and non-compliance withregulations. A viable solution to tackle these challenges is the implementation of a unified asset management methodology, ensuring assets operateeffectively throughout their lifecycle while meeting patient and organizational needs. Regrettably, asset management potential is largelyunrecognized in many organizations, often leading to uncoordinated activities and inefficiencies. Although asset management practices vary, usingthese tools in healthcare can optimize equipment use, impacting patient care outcomes, hospital operations, and financial efficiency. Implementingan Asset Management System (AMS) is crucial for operation, security, sustainability, and efficiency of medical equipment and devices. Systematicmanagement benefits organizations relying on asset performance, providing principles and techniques for effective management from leadership toend users.
This research project investigates asset management in Slovenian hospitals, focusing on expensive medical equipment. The study aims to defineAMS according to standards like PAS 55 and ISO 55000, highlighting the challenges in asset management and importance of AMS in healthcaretechnology management for higher utilization rates and more efficient work processes. The study investigates the technological and organizationalpossibilities of introducing unified AMS in Slovenian hospitals through a questionnaire, addressing all aspects of asset management with input fromhospital professionals. In the final stage, derived from literature review, international standards, and questionnaire responses, the research projectproposes methodical starting points and actionable recommendations for AMS implementation in Slovenian hospitals, with potential national-levelapplication in the later stages. Medical devices are crucial assets for hospitals, indispensable for quality healthcare services. Efficient managementof these assets is essential to reduce long waiting times and streamline disorganized workflows, and improve timeliness in patient diagnostics andtreatments. Although the process may be time-consuming, it is in the national interest to start promptly, as evidence reveals that AMS undoubtedlybrings numerous benefits and positive impacts for patients, healthcare institutions and the entire healthcare system.
Duration (from/to):
1. 10. 2024—30. 9. 2026
Contracting Authority:
Slovenian Research and Innovation Agency & Ministry of Health
Financing:
Members of the project team with links to SICRIS:
Project phases and their realization
The project will be implemented over a 12-month period and will be organised in four complementary work packages. The tasks within each work stream, including the expected researchers and timelines, are clearly outlined below:
Work Package 1: Define the AMS (1.10.2024 – 31.12.2024 (3 months) (Dr Dejan Ravšelj, Dr Matej Babšek).
Task 1: Establish a comprehensive understanding of the AMS based on bibliographic research, specifications from scientists, international authorities and standardisation agencies such as BSI and ISO (1.10.2024 – 31.12.2024 )(3 months) (Dr Dejan Ravšelj, Dr Matej Babšek).
Milestone: Comprehensive literature review to provide a comprehensive understanding of the AMS.
Work Package 2: Investigate current practices and identify challenges in Slovenian hospitals (1.11.2025 – 31.3.2025) (5 months) (Dr. Nina Tomaževič, Dr. Tina Jukić, Dr. Matej Babšek, Dr. Dejan Ravšelj).
Task 2.1: Prepare a questionnaire based on a literature review, recent research and international standards (1.11.2025 – 31.1.2025) (3 months) (Dr. Nina Tomaževič, Dr. Tina Jukić).
Task 2.2: Conduct a practical survey with questionnaires to describe and illustrate the current practice of asset management and to identify related challenges, with a focus on expensive medical equipment, in selected Slovenian hospitals. (1.2.2025 – 31.3.2025) (2 months) (Dr Matej Babšek, Dr Dejan Ravšelj).
Milestone 2: Validated questionnaire to identify existing asset management practices and related challenges.
Work package 3: Assess technological and organisational options for the implementation of AMS in Slovenian hospitals (1.2.2025 – 30.4.2025) (3 months) (Dr Dejan Ravšelj, Dr Matej Babšek, Dr Tina Jukić, Dr Nina Tomaževič).
Task 3.1: Analyse the responses to the questionnaire and the views of the participating hospital staff (1.2.2025 – 31.3.2025) (2 months) (Dr Dejan Ravšelj, Matej Babšek).
Task 3.2: To examine the technological and organisational options for the introduction of a single AMS in selected Slovenian hospitals through dedicated questionnaires. (1.3.2025 – 31.3.2025) (2 months) (dr. Tina Jukić, dr. Nina Tomaževič).
Milestone 3: Comprehensive analysis of technological and organisational options for the introduction of AMS in Slovenian hospitals.
Work package 4: Develop recommendations for the implementation of AMS in Slovenian hospitals (1.5.2025 – 30.9.2025) (4 months) (Dr. Nina Tomaževič, Dr. Tina Jukić, Dr. Aleksander Aristovnik, Dr. Dejan Ravšelj).
Task 4.1: Review the requirements of ISO 55001 for the development and implementation of AMS (1.5.2025 – 31.7.2025) (3 months) (Dr Nina Tomaževič, Dr Tina Jukić).
Task 4.2: Provide useful recommendations for the implementation of AMS in Slovenian healthcare institutions (hospitals) (1.7.2025 – 30.9.2025) (3 months) (Dr Aleksander Aristovnik, Dr Dejan Ravšelj).
Milestone 4: Interpretation of the results of the comprehensive analysis complemented by proposed actions for health stakeholders.