In my experience, which includes recent engagements with policymakers in Washington D.C., the path forward is not about choosing between accessibility and safety; it is about building the systems that allow for both. Based on discussions with congressional leaders, it is clear that medical device right-to-repair is not a partisan issue. Maintaining patient safety, lowering healthcare costs and ensuring medical equipment is available when needed is indisputable. Establishing a strong quality base allows service decentralization to improve quality by ensuring consistency, faster service and longer device lifespan.

HCB News: How does the right-to-repair movement change relationships between equipment makers and healthcare providers? How can a proactive QMS help organizations manage quality and safety risks in this new, more decentralized repair landscape, especially when working with third-party providers?
HD: Right-to-repair is changing the dynamics of control between healthcare providers and manufacturers, providing hospitals and healthcare organizations with more flexibility in choosing who services their medical equipment. While this flexibility is a major step forward, it also brings new responsibilities. Healthcare providers must define a structured way to vet vendors, define service expectations and ensure that all repairs—no matter who performs them—adhere to consistent, well-documented procedures.
For example, a provider should look for a third-party service provider with a robust QMS and ask specific questions, such as how they guarantee revision control for service manuals, integrate the most recent technical service bulletins and what controls they have to ensure technicians use only approved parts.

A robust third-party QMS can enable organizations to pinpoint trends, highlight possible risks and maintain compliance with both internal standards and external regulations. In a more decentralized service environment, a strong QMS keeps operations coordinated, transparent and accountable.

HCB News: Looking ahead, how do you see the right-to-repair movement reshaping healthcare technology management and the medical device industry in the long-term? What kind of industry infrastructure is needed to support this growth?
HD: Ultimately, right-to-repair laws are transforming how healthcare organizations manage medical devices—giving them more control over servicing and raising higher standards for quality and safety responsibility. Over time, we will see a more collaborative, decentralized model in which hospitals, OEMs and third-party providers work together within a shared framework of accountability.

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