Planning preventive maintenance for a rehabilitation department

Why plan maintenance

Therapy equipment that fails mid-session costs treatment time, and equipment that drifts out of calibration may still run while delivering less than it displays. Scheduled preventive maintenance (PPM) finds wear and faults before they stop a clinic, and gives you a record that each device was checked.

1. Build an asset register

List every device with its make, model, serial number, location, installation date, warranty end date and supplier contact. This is the foundation for scheduling and for any audit.

2. Set intervals from the manufacturer's guidance

Use the service intervals in each device's instructions for use. Shorten them for equipment that is used heavily, moved often, or critical to your caseload.

3. Prioritise by risk and use

Devices that deliver energy to patients, such as lasers, shockwave, TECAR and electrotherapy units, and equipment that supports patients' weight, such as treatment tables and anti-gravity treadmills, usually deserve the highest priority.

4. Schedule around clinic hours

Book visits when equipment is least needed and group devices by location so one visit covers several machines. Agree in advance what happens if a fault is found during a visit.

5. Keep a record against each machine

Record the date, checks performed, findings, parts replaced and the next due date for every device. With TRIMAX, PPM visits are recorded against each machine, and customers can view installed equipment and service history in the TRIMAX equipment portal.

6. Track consumables and accessories

Electrodes, gels, cables, handpieces, lenses and protective eyewear wear out or get damaged. Check them at each visit and keep spares for items that would otherwise stop treatment.

7. Train and refresh staff

Many faults start with handling. Brief new staff on daily checks, cleaning and correct use, and refresh training when equipment or staff change.

8. Plan for downtime

Know how to report a fault quickly, what information the service team needs (model, serial number and what is happening), and how treatments will be covered while a device is out of service.

Next step

TRIMAX's Kuala Lumpur team provides installation, scheduled PPM, repairs with free estimates and equipment training. See our service options or request a maintenance plan.