The Medical Imaging and Technology Alliance (MITA) has applauded the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for its new mandate on medical imaging and radiation therapy (RT) equipment.
CMS is now requiring that medical imaging and RT equipment in hospitals must be maintained according to the manufacturer's recommended maintenance standard. The updated directive to the hospital equipment maintenance guidance will help promote the safety of patients and equipment operators, while also preserving equipment performance and image quality, MITA said.
Manufacturer-recommended maintenance standards are developed as part of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) clearance process for medical devices, and the standards are continually reviewed and updated throughout the product lifecycle to ensure the equipment is serviced appropriately, according to MITA. To encourage CMS to require the use of these standards, MITA said it rallied the broader healthcare community, including provider groups, accreditors, and other industries.
The updated CMS hospital equipment maintenance requirements are scheduled to take effect in 30 days.
