From the July 2025 issue of DOTmed Equipment Classifieds magazine
As hospitals grow in complexity, clinical engineers play an increasingly vital and demanding role. In 2025, they face a fast-changing environment shaped by rapid innovation, staffing shortages, and rising pressure for efficiency. Without adequate support, hospitals risk equipment downtime, lost devices, and missed updates, all of which can lead to operational setbacks, revenue loss, and delays in patient care. This article from GE HealthCare explores five key challenges clinical engineers face today and offers practical strategies to help maintain device performance and support quality care.
1. Ensuring Optimal Equipment Uptime
The Challenge:
At the core of clinical engineering is the responsibility to keep medical equipment functioning reliably. Yet, as hospitals acquire more devices—many of them highly specialized and interconnected—maintaining uptime has become a formidable task. A recent salary survey
1 found that over 56% of clinical engineers describe their workload as “heavy” or “excessive,” highlighting the strain on maintenance and repair operations.
The Risks:
Delays in proactive maintenance can lead to unexpected equipment failures, costly emergency repairs, and disruptions in patient care. These issues not only affect clinical outcomes but also contribute to clinician dissatisfaction and reputational risk for healthcare institutions.
The Solution:
To mitigate these risks, GE HealthCare recommends that hospitals move beyond basic warranty coverage and invest in more comprehensive service agreements. Hospitals should consider:
- Comprehensive service agreements that include both on-site and off-site repair options
- Rapid access to OEM parts, ideally with next-day delivery
- Remote technical support to assist with real-time troubleshooting
With these measures, hospitals can reduce downtime, extend equipment life, and relieve pressure on in-house engineering teams.
2. Managing More Complex and Connected Devices
The Challenge:
The proliferation of smart, connected medical devices has transformed patient care—but it has also introduced new layers of complexity for clinical engineers. It is estimated
2 that each patient bed has an average of 10 to 15 connected medical devices. These devices now commonly integrate with hospital networks, electronic health records (EHRs), and other digital systems, requiring engineers to possess both biomedical and IT expertise.
The Risks:
Without proper integration and oversight, connected devices can become points of failure or security vulnerabilities. Misconfigurations, software incompatibilities, and network issues can compromise device performance and patient safety.
The Solution:
Cross-disciplinary training and collaboration between clinical engineering and IT departments is essential. Clinical engineers should work closely with IT to ensure seamless integration and cybersecurity compliance. Additionally, hospitals should consider investing in centralized device management platforms including hardware systems and software and device protection programs that may help enhance and streamline connected device management and lessen the financial and scheduling burdens associations with ensuring devices are up to date. This can include:
- Software updates and OS patches
- Software and/or hardware-based system upgrades
- Clinical software and/or hardware system upgrades
3. Navigating Skills and Training Gaps
The Challenge:
As the scope of clinical engineering expands, so too does the need for specialized knowledge. In general, many healthcare organizations are struggling to recruit and retain engineers with the necessary skills to successfully manage today’s complex device ecosystems.
The Risks:
Skills gaps can lead to delayed maintenance, increased downtime, improper device configuration, and missed opportunities for optimization. In the long term, this can erode the quality of patient care and increase operational costs.
The Solution:
Strategies to not only enhance technical capabilities but also improve job satisfaction and retention are a must. Consider the following for a proactive approach to workforce development:
- Offering continuing education and certification programs to keep clinical engineers up to date
- Partnering with academic institutions to build talent pipelines
- Creating mentorship and knowledge-sharing opportunities within the clinical engineering and IT departments
By investing in professional development, hospitals can build resilient clinical engineering and IT departments capable of adapting to future challenges.
4. Tracking and Monitoring an Expanding Fleet
The Challenge:
With thousands of devices spread across multiple departments and facilities, asset tracking has become a logistical challenge. Many hospitals still rely on manual processes or outdated systems, making it difficult to locate equipment, monitor usage, or schedule maintenance efficiently.
The Risks:
Poor asset visibility can result in lost or underutilized devices, redundant purchases, and delayed care. It also complicates the ability to respond quickly to recalls or safety alerts.
The Solution:
The implementation of a real-time location system (RTLS) and computerized maintenance management system (CMMS) allow for more efficient asset tracking. These technologies enable clinical engineers to:
- Locate devices instantly
- Monitor usage patterns
- Automate preventive maintenance schedules
Such systems not only enhance operational efficiency but also support data-driven decision-making around equipment procurement and lifecycle management.
5. Dealing with Multiple Vendor Parts and Accessories
The Challenge:
Hospitals often source equipment from a variety of manufacturers, each with its own parts, accessories, and service protocols. This diversity can complicate maintenance workflows and increase the risk of using incompatible or substandard components.
The Risks:
Using non-OEM parts or accessories can void warranties, compromise device performance, and pose patient safety risks. It also increases the burden on engineers who must navigate multiple vendor relationships and documentation systems.
The Solution:
To streamline operations, consider consolidating service contracts and standardizing equipment where possible. Hospitals should also prioritize vendors that offer:
- Easy access to validated OEM parts and accessories
- Transparent documentation and technical support
- Integrated service platforms
By simplifying the supply chain and vendor ecosystem, clinical engineers can focus more on strategic initiatives and less on administrative hurdles.
A Call to Action for Healthcare Leaders
Clinical engineering is no longer behind the scenes, it’s a strategic pillar of hospital operations and patient safety. To empower these essential teams, leaders must invest in tools, training, and cross-functional collaboration. As clinical engineer Christopher Street puts it, “We work on devices as if our loved ones will need them next.”
GE HealthCare Patient Care Solution’s customizable service offerings—including extended warranties, remote support, software protection, training, and fleet management—help ensure device reliability and peace of mind. By addressing today’s challenges, healthcare systems can build a more resilient, efficient, and patient-centered future. Visit our
website to learn more.
Resources
1. “HTM Salary Survey 2023,” 24x7 Magazine, last modified January 25, 2025
2. Heather Landi, “82% of healthcare organizations have experienced an IoT focused cyberattack, survey finds,” Fierce Healthcare, last modified August 29, 2019
