摘要Objective Maintenance of biomedical equipment has undergone tremendous improvements over
the last several decades since the publication of Ralph Nader’s fateful article in 1971. The uproar caused by
Nader’s article had called for stringent electrical safety testing. Clinical engineering fraternities worldwide
hurried to provide solutions and addressed the damage. In the process, we saw improvements in many areas of
clinical engineering. Yet, despite these improvements, clinical engineering is still grappling with challenges in
its maintenance activities that seem to persist. This paper seeks to identify these challenges which have caused
difficulties, and to some extent, impede the performance of effective maintenance. The paper also seeks to
propose solutions and recommendations for improvements. Methods Over the course of his work, the author
has noticed areas that have posed major challenges in clinical engineering. One such challenge is in the
area of clinical engineering competency. Non-standardization in maintenance activities is another area
where some tough decisions may be needed. Other challenges will be identified, explained and where
possible, solutions will be offered. Results In this paper, the author identifies ten major challenges that
have affected the provision of clinical engineering services. Most of these challenges, if properly addressed
may significantly improve healthcare delivery and/or provide clinical engineering with clear guidelines
on the breadth and limits of the discipline. Some have severely affected maintenance performances
while several have been left unattended and unresolved. Regardless, the ten challenges are common and
normally experienced at clinical engineering department across the globe. Conclusion By pointing out
these key challenges, clinical engineering practitioners would be able to identify shortfalls and trends in
clinical engineering maintenance and systematically focus their attention towards assisting in problem
solving. With the challenges identified, it is hoped that clinical engineering, through its various networks,
would be able to incorporate compliance and enforcement.
