Development of a computerized medical equipment maintenance management system for Uganda blood transfusion service

Abstract

Uganda Blood Transfusion Service (UBTS) heavily relies on medical equipment for analyzing, processing and storing all the blood that is collected. One of the most common causes of medical devices' breakdown and long downtime is poor maintenance. Maintenance ensures that an equipment operates regularly and efficiently, by attempting to prevent and minimize the losses incurred by breakdowns. The UBTS is currently facing problems of increased equipment breakdown and long downtime of up to six months which makes equipment unavailable for use when needed. The purpose of this project was to study the existing paper based maintenance management system in order to determine system user requirements, design and assess performance of the developed Medical Equipment Maintenance Management System prototype. The research used a mixed method approach involving 36 staff at the Nakasero Regional Blood Bank. Interviews, document review, structured questionnaires and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) were used to collect data. A software Requirements Specification (SRS) document was generated after requirements analysis, showing unambiguous and feasible system user requirements. A waterfall software development method was used to design a system prototype. A Computerized Maintenance Management System developed in both C sharp and Java code language with a backend deployed in the internet’s cloud and a desktop application installed on the end-user’s computer to access the online system. This system has unique capabilities of realtime fault reporting and management, reports on spare parts stock, preventive maintenance compliance, cost comparison of preventive maintenance and corrective maintenance hence supports budgeting by top managers, provides up-to date information on all equipment condition, supports fast decision making based on analyzed records maintenance information. Design of a mobile phone application and system integration of the equipment to the MEMMS system is highly recommended