Features of Computerized Systems for the Management of Medical-Hospital Equipment in Clinical Engineering Departments in Brazil

The rapid evolution and complexity of medical-hospital equipment (EMH), as well as the appearance of adverse events that had not occurred until then, resulted, in the United States, in the emergence of the area of activity called Clinical Engineering (CE). In Brazil, although the profession does not have its proper recognition and regulation, the need for a qualified and designated professional to manage health technologies, within a Health Care Facility (EAS), has been increasingly evident. To manage these technologies, in addition to being mandatory, is the responsibility of each Hospital, requiring dedication and control. The use of computerized systems (SI), aiming at successful management of health technologies, including the preparation of inventories and control of technical intervention events (e.g., maintenance), has been consolidated. Despite having available in the market diversified software intended for the realization of maintenance management, notoriously, the foundation, structuring and functionality of these, are convergent. The present work aimed to list, through bibliographic references, parameters and essential functions, which should make up an SI for the management of EMH, applied in the Departments of CE in Hospital Units. Thus, through the study carried out, it was observed that a software for this purpose can be divided into four main modules: Module of registrations, EMH inventory, service orders (maintenance) and, reports/indicators. Finally, given the functionalities identified in the analyzed SI, it is suggested to conduct new studies related to the incorporation of specific tools and functionalities, aimed at CE in Brazil.