Compliance with National Standards for Purchasing Medical Devices After Health Transformation Plan (HTP): A Multiple-Case Studies of Isfahan’s Hospitals

Background: Given the importance of compliance with quality and price standards in purchasing medical devices and regarding that one of the interventions of Iran’s health transportation plan (HTP) is monitoring the process of purchasing medical devices, this study aimed at determining if the given standards of purchasing medical devices has been complied. Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted during year 2016. The study covered a sample of 4 university hospitals in the cities of Isfahan, Najaf Abad, and Shahreza. Data, including name, number, price and brands of medical devices purchased by these hospitals were gathered for a period of 3 months (June 21 to September 21, 2014). These data were available in selected hospitals as well as Medical equipment offices in the University and were compared with standards set by the ministry of health (accessible in the database of IMED). Analysis was performed using the SPSS software. Results: The average percentage of compliance with prices and brand standards of medical devices in the studied hospitals were 77.89 and 76.04, respectively. Non-teaching hospitals and those located outside of the capital city (Isfahan), complied with the mentioned standards better than those were teaching hospitals and located in Isfahan city. Conclusions: Although the compliance with price and brand standards of purchasing medical devices were good, yet regarding the need to achieve the desired level, more periodic inspections in the area of medical devices purchasing and also greater awareness about the benefits of compliance with defined standards are recommended.