Maintenance and the life expectancy of healthcare equipment in developing economies.

Measuring the economic viability of systematically maintaining physical assets (buildings, utilities, medical equipment) in healthcare is important in emerging economies with limited resources. This paper puts forward a way to estimate the benefit by comparing the input for maintenance with the savings achieved by extending the useful life of physical assets. For this purpose, life expectancies have been studied under conditions with and without systematic maintenance based on a planned and preventative approach for a selection of utilities and medical equipment. The result shows that the average prolongation of useful life for healthcare equipment in emerging economies is about two-fold. Specific figures on the life expectancy of 16 different items are presented. Finally, recommendations are given on how to employ the method locally.