Assessment of FunctionalityStatus of Medical Laboratory Equipmentand Factors affecting their functionalityamong Public Hospitals in Addis Ababa.
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Date
2019-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Strengthening the health system of developing countries requires a well-functioning laboratory.
In this regard, properly functioning medical laboratory equipment is one of the critical
components. However, there is a great concern that the laboratory equipment maintenance is a
critical bottleneck for strengthening health systems in sub-Saharan Africa.
BACKGROUND:
OBJECTIVE: To assessfunctionality status of Medical Laboratory Equipment and reasons for
their malfunction among Public Health Hospitals in Addis Ababa, 2018.
METHODS: Facility basedcross-sectional study design was employed at14public hospitals in
Addis Ababa from September to November, 2018.A convenient sampling method was used to
include 14 public hospitals in Addis Ababa. Quantitative data collection tool with pretested
interviewer administered questionnaire and checklist was used to collect pertinent data on
equipment management system. Data were entered and analyzed by using SPSS version 20.0
(SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). The results were presented by using tables and graphs.
Frequencies for all variables were counted and cross tabulated using percentages.
Result:A total of 115 medical laboratory equipment were assessed in this study from 14 public
hospitals in Addis Ababa. Almost one-third 33% (38) of laboratory equipment were chemistry
machines with different model and country of origin. The overall functionality status of medical
laboratory equipment was 58.3% (67/115). Unavailability of spare parts is the primary reason for
malfunction of medical laboratory equipment among public hospitals in Addis Ababa. Lack of
spare parts accounts about 39.6% (19/48) ofthe non-functionality of medical laboratory
equipment during the study period followed by installation problem 14.6% (7/48) and
unavailability of reagents 12.5% (6/48).
Conclusion:This study has shown that a large proportion of medical laboratory equipment
were non-functional among public hospitals in Addis Ababa. The study also has shown that the
main reason for non-functionality of medical laboratory equipment was lack of spare parts
followed by installation problem. Based on our findings, we recommend laboratories should
follow manufacturer instructions to install laboratory equipment, capability building the
biomedical engineers, avail necessary spare parts and reagent to utilize the most out of them.
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Keywords
Medical Laboratory Equipmen,Public Hospitals