When it comes to medical equipment in LTC, we know failures happen – and usually at the worst possible times!

Broken or under-performing equipment can lead to disruptions in patient care, safety concerns, and even financial setbacks.

Rather than fix every issue as it happens, there’s a cheaper, easier way: preventative maintenance.

In this blog post, we share how a good preventative maintenance program works, and exactly what you as a healthcare facility get.

But first, what exactly is preventative maintenance?

Like regular servicing for your vehicle, preventative maintenance is the routine maintenance/servicing of capital equipment to reduce the chances of failure or downtime.

It can be scheduled annually or semi-annually depending on your needs.

What are the top benefits of preventative maintenance?

The main advantages of preventative maintenance are cost savings and reducing the burden on LTC teams.

Enrolling in annual or semi-annual preventative maintenance offers the following benefits:

• Enhanced Patient Safety: Regular maintenance reduces the risk of equipment malfunctions that could compromise patient safety
• Extended Equipment Lifespan: Following OEM standards and routine maintenance can significantly extend the life of your equipment, saving costs in the long run
• Reduced Downtime: Scheduled maintenance minimizes unexpected breakdowns, reducing disruptions to patient care
• Regulatory Compliance: Many healthcare standards require regular equipment maintenance. Our services help you stay compliant with regulations

Caution: not all preventative maintenance programs are created equal!

A common misconception is that the manufacturer will provide services after the sale if you need it. This is simply not true.

In fact, for most capital items like beds, ceiling track lifts, and even bathing tubs, you need to find source a third-party service partner. This includes things like:

• Repairing broken equipment
• Finding replacement parts
• Installing a new item requiring technical labour
• Removing an item that’s no longer in operation

Look for a factory authorized service provider like SFI Medical Equipment Solutions. A quality vendor should be experienced working routinely on the specific brands, makes, and models in your facility.

What services are included in preventative maintenance?

Preventative maintenance programs are designed to maintain the functionality and safety of your capital equipment.

During your annual or semi-annual visit, one of our experienced technicians will assess (note: this list is not exhaustive):

• Lifts (Ceiling, Sit-to-Stand, Portable):
  • Hardware & parts functionality
  • Max load test/track testing
  • Battery health
  • Wheels
  • Hand pendant function
  • Raises smoothly/quietly
  • Actuators
• Beds, Rails, and Mattresses (Standard & Bariatric):
  • Hardware & parts functionality
  • Rail compliance/entrapment prevention audit
  • Power cords and cables
  • Castors and footers
  • Wiring
  • Rails
  • Lockout box
  • Mattress perimeter
  • Braking system
  • Rail caps
  • Hand pendants
  • Motors
• Tubs and Bathing Systems:
  • Hardware & parts functionality
  • Battery health
  • Water temperature (min, max)
  • Shower and fill valves
  • Shower wand/hose
  • Door and hinge
  • Air/jets
  • Buttons/controls
  • Supply lines
  • Thermometer
  • Disinfectant system
  • Draining
• Scales (Platform, Chair, Wheelchair, Ceiling, Floor):
  • Parts required
  • Weight calibration
  • Scale tolerance
  • Accurate reading
  • Handles secure
  • Knobs/levers
  • Platform quality

What manufacturers does SFI Medical service?

At SFI Medical, we offer full preventative maintenance solutions for the following brands:

Our services adhere to Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) standards. This means that your equipment will receive maintenance that aligns with the manufacturer’s recommendations, helping to prolong its lifespan and maintain its performance.

Each piece of equipment is assigned a unique bar code. This allows us to track and manage the maintenance schedule for every item efficiently.

Want to get started with preventative maintenance?

To get started with a preventative maintenance program for your facility, here are the steps:

1. Schedule a call with our Technical Services team to discuss your specific needs
2. Choose between annual or semi-annual maintenance
3. Schedule your technician visits in advance
4. You will receive a full report with equipment details and your invoice after each visit

At SFI Medical Equipment Solutions, we’re dedicated to supporting healthcare facilities in providing the best possible care to their patients. Contact us today to learn more about how we can partner with you to keep your equipment in top-notch condition.

SFI Medical is proudly Canadian owned and operated and we serve long-term care facilities nationwide. If you’re ready to get started with preventative maintenance, contact our technical team to book a service call today.