Beth Ann Fiedler Thomas Wan Stephen Sivo

Inter-Professional HospitalQuality Impact of

Biomedical EngineeringStructural Equation Modeling

Understanding the relationships between clinical and non-clinical caregiversin the hospital environment of care is vital to determining best practicesthat improve patient outcomes. The purpose of this study is to understandthe relationships among biomedical engineering technicians (BMETs) andclinical caregivers in order to promote hospital quality through thereduction of hospital acquired infections associated with medicalequipment. The BMET health support occupation is under-represented inresearch despite evidence that validates their indirect impact on patientoutcomes through their medical equipment duties. Results from theBiomedical Engineering Interdepartmental survey determined the effects ofstructural complexity and process adequacy in Clinical Engineering usingstructural equation analysis under the theoretical framework ofDonabedian’s Structure-Process-Outcome model. Statistical analysis leads torecommendations that hospital environments that create a coordinatedorganizational culture of interdepartmental device management throughcommunication, collaboration, teamwork, and knowledge managementcan promote quality and therefore, reduce adverse events.

Beth Ann Fiedler

Dr. Fiedler earned her Ph.D. in Public Affairs,University of Central Florida in Orlando; M.S. inOperations Management at Kettering in Flint,MI; andan A.S. in Biomedical Engineering Technology atFlorida State College of Jacksonville. Her researchinterests include health quality and policy to improvecommunity health and fiscal conditions.

978-3-8484-2911-0

Inter-Professional Hosp

ital Quality

Beth Ann Fied

ler, T. Wan, S. Sivo