Clinical engineering at the new Boston City Hospital

Managing medical technology at Boston City Hospital had been characterized as a multi-faceted challenge given outdated technology and an aging physical plant. In January of 1994, Boston City Hospital opened the new state-of-the-art inpatient facility whereby for the first time, patients will be cared for under one roof. When first constructed in 1864, Boston City Hospital was a sprawling campus, encompassing 18 buildings. By 1937, Boston City Hospital had grown to 25 buildings and 2200 beds. Over time, the number of beds has decreased and much of the campus had been renovated or abandoned. The new facility is designed to efficiently deliver medical services with state-of-the-art technology now and into the future as changes are needed. The Department of Clinical Engineering is charged with the management of diagnostic and clinical capital. Equipment for Boston City Hospital as well as other divisions of the City of Boston´s Department of Health and Hospitals which also includes Boston Specialty and Rehabilitation Hospital and several neighborhood Health Centers. Over the past several years, culminating with the opening of this new facility, Clinical Engineering has planned for and responded to changes in scope that have extended beyond our traditional areas of responsibility. The presentation explores the history of Clinical Engineering at Boston City Hospital and the areas in which our responsibilities have changed as a result of new technologies and the new facility, including, but not limited to: 1) Assuming management responsibility for technologies outside of our normal responsibilities; 2) asset management; 3) critical care network management; and 4) the planning and implementation of new information management systems for critical care and surgery