Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
capabilities and the technical resources available from
outside firms, the hospital is able to make more effective
and efficient use of all of its technological resources.
is to provide a broad-based engineering program that
addresses all aspects of medical
instrumentation and
systems support.
Figure 1.0-2
illustrates the organizational chart of the
medical support services division of a typical major
medical facility. Note that within this organizational
structure, the director of clinical engineering reports di-
rectly to the vice president of medical support services.
This administrative relationship is extremely important
because it recognizes the important role that clinical
engineering departments play in delivering quality care.
It should be noted, however, that in other organizational
structures, clinical engineering services fall under the
category of ''facilities,'' ''materials management,'' or even
simply ''support services.''
In practice, there is an alternative capacity in which
clinical engineers can function. They can work directly
with clinical departments, thereby bypassing much of the
hospital hierarchy. In this situation, clinical departments
can offer the clinical engineer both the chance for intense
specialization and, at the same time, the opportunity to
develop a personal relationship with specific clinicians
based on mutual concerns and interests (
Wald, 1989
).
The role of clinical engineering
within the hospital organization
Over the years, management organization within hospi-
tals has evolved into a diffuse authority structure that is
commonly referred to as the ''triad model.'' The three
primary components are the governing board (trustees),
hospital administration (CEO and administrative staff),
and the medical staff organization.
Clinical engineering program
In many hospitals, administrators have established clini-
cal engineering departments to manage effectively all the
technological resources, especially those relating to
medical equipment, that are necessary for providing
patient care. The primary objective of these departments
MEDICAL SUPPORT SERVICES DIVISION
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
VICE PRESIDENT
MEDICAL SUPPORT
SERVICES
MEDICAL DIRECTOR
QA/UR
MEDICAL STAFF
OFFICER
Director of
Social Work
and
Discharge
Planning
Director
of
Medical
Records
Director of
Patient
Registration
Administrative
Director
Pharmacy
Director of
Clinical Risk
Management
Director of
QA/UR and
Infection
Control
Director of
Radiology
Services
Director of
Laboratory
Services
Director of
Clinical
Engineering
Figure 1.0-2 Organizational chart of medical support services division for a typical, major medical facility. This organizational structure
points out the critical interrelationship between the clinical engineering department and the other primary services provided by the medical
facility.
