BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
Biomedical Engineering is a team of engineering professionals working in a clinical environment to resolve technology issues related to patient care, improvement in outcomes and cost effectiveness. The Department functions and provides engineering services to a clinical environment supporting technology, clinicians and the patient technology interface to reduce risks, improve patient outcomes and enhance patient care in a cost effective manner. This is accomplished via cost effective maintenance, repair and acquisition of all clinical technology, and proper management of clinical technology resources. It is the goal of this Department to be the technical liaison, reference and resource for all clinical equipment. The mission of the this Department is to provide knowledgeable, timely and cost effective quality service to clinicians in a professional and responsible manner to improve and enhance patient care by supporting all aspects of patient care related technology.
Achievements
- The department has been closely involved in expansion projects over the years. It was also intimately involved in the equipment modernization project of Federal Government of Nigeria through VAMED Nigeria Ltd. It was the biggest hospital equipment project ever carried out and the department was actively involved in the assembly, installation and user’s training. The department took over the maintenance of this equipment after the expiration of the maintenance service contract with VAMED which was for a period of five years. Some of this equipment is still in use while most have been replaced due to old age.
- Joshua A Adewole was awarded best worker of this hospital for two consecutive times between 1996 and 2004.
- While Mr. Asimiyu T Akinbade also received departmental best worker in 2008.
- Engineer Oyeniran O.A received a commendation letter from the management when he achieved a feet of coupling a heart-lung machine and foot pressure machine in year 2013 despite the fact that he was not trained on the equipment.
- Sterilization procedures were grounded in major wards and clinics, but with technical prowess of the Biomedical team, solution was proffered.
- The Securex MMM giant autoclave machine for sterilization of theatre instruments were resuscitated after several months of being grounded.
- Dysfunctional Incubators of SCBU were put in functional states.
Mission Statement
- To ensure electrically safe and functional equipment for patients, visitors, and hospital employees through a program of continuing inspection, testing, and repairs of patient care equipment, regardless of ownership, and assistance with in service training.
- To act as a resource in selecting new patient care equipment and fulfilling manufacturers’ recalls as needed.
Brief History
The department was created in 1996 with five members of staff. The emerging digital technology at that time made its creation necessary. Before this time, it was known as Electro-medical Unit under the Instruments Department. Most medical devices were more of mechanical principles and less of electronics and so do not require high technology unlike now when its microprocessors and computer based.
This department was formerly known as Biomedical Electronics Instruments Department until Tuesday 16th August 2016 when it was renamed Biomedical Engineering Department.
However, we seek to close the gap between engineering and medicine. This is achieved through the application of engineering principles, design concepts to medicine and biology. It is pertinent to say that this department carries out the preventive and corrective maintenance on medical devices as well as keeping inventory, supervising and ensuring safety regulation standards on all medical equipment in the hospital.
The department has technical presence in the following areas:
(a) Owena Dialysis Centre
(b) Dental Centre
(c) Radiology Department
(d) Central Sterile Supply Department, CSSD.
(e) Main and Auxiliary Theatres and I.C.U
(f) Theatre Sterile Supply Unit, TSSU.
(g) Laboratories
(h) Clinics and Wards
TRAINING
Students training
- 160 Students had passed through the department from inception to date through the Students Industrial Training Attachment Scheme (SIWES) from various universities, polytechnics, and technical colleges.
- 13 National Youth Service Corps members had served in the department from inception to date.
External workers training
Other hospitals have been approaching the University College Hospital for assistance in the area of technical training for their staff through the Biomedical Engineering Department.60 trainees have been trained so far with the approval the management .The following is the summary :
- Ogun State Hospital Management Board.
Number – 55 Craftsmen.
Date – March, 2013.
Duration –
- Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, Osun state.
Number – 2 Autoclave Technicians.
Date – July, 2013.
Duration – 1 Year.
- De Comfort Nursing Home Services Ltd, Surulere, Lagos.
Number – 1 Technician.
Date – February, 2014.
Duration – 6 Months.
- National Hospital, Abuja.
Number – 2 Autoclave Technicians.
Duration – 18 Months.
CORE ACTIVITIES OF THE DEPARTMENT
- Monthly departmental meeting: This meeting holds on the last Wednesday of the month.
- Management departmental meeting: This holds on first Wednesday of the month.
- End of the year party: This party holds on the first week of the new year