Financial models and productivity controls in clinical engineering

A description is given of the steps taken to design a financial model of, and to install productivity measurements and control within, the clinical engineering department of a large teaching hospital. Motivation for this project involved both preparation for going ´for profit´ and the need to resolve an over-budget condition of labor cost. The project steps, in chronological order, included: assessment of current hospital management reports, determining database adequacy, implementing supervisors´ time log, designing computerized budget spreadsheets, testing changes on a financial simulation model, developing labor task standards, and installing departmental labor performance reporting. The project yielded significant positive results for the department´s performance versus budget and also led to growth in supervisory and management skills.<>