CMMSs Help Medical Facilities Thrive In The Face Of Labor Shortages
IBM News, Friday, August 4,2023
The demand for skilled healthcare professionals is increasing. However, the number of biomedical equipment technicians (BMETs)-the professionals who manage, repair and maintain the medical equipment-is shrinking.
According to a 2020 survey, 40% of the BMET workforce is age 55 and older, with nearly 1 in 4 BMETs over the age of 60 and approaching retirement. What's more, dozens of BMET education/certification programs have shuttered in recent years, leaving nearly 20 states with no accredited BMET programs to funnel new graduates into the workforce.
The shortage of these essential healthcare workers is having a significant impact on the industry, leaving its mark on everything from patient care to operational costs. Given the propulsive state of innovation in biomedical technology, the healthcare industry will need a sizable workforce of knowledgeable technicians to keep pace. A computerized maintenance management system (CMMS) can help hospitals and other medical facilities bridge the asset management gap while the industry waits for the workforce to catch up.