LESSON 4
ADDITIONAL SUPPLY MANAGEMENT TASKS
4-1.
GENERAL
In this lesson, you will learn to identify MEL factor procedures used to determine
if an item of medical equipment is economically repairable. Along with the equipment's
condition, the MEL factor is also used in classifying biomedical equipment. You will also
learn to identify the automated systems options available to you to manage medical
equipment maintenance at the unit level.
4-2.
DETERMINE ECONOMIC REPAIRABILITY
a. Calculate the maintenance expenditure limits . The MEL is to ensure
economic and operational effectiveness of maintenance operations. A MEL also ensures
that it is more economical and operationally effective to perform corrective maintenance
than to replace the materiel.
(1) Replacement cost. The first step of the process is determining the
current replacement or acquisition cost of the item of equipment. If you do not have that
figure, refer to the AMDF.
(2) Useful life. Calculate the percentage of the item's useful life remaining
by dividing the life remaining in months by the life expectancy in months.
(3) Maintenance expenditure limits-factor graph. Use the MEL-factor graph
(refer to figure 4-1) by reading up vertically from the percent of useful life remaining to a
point of intersection with the baseline.
(4) Maintenance expenditure limits-factor percentage. Project a horizontal line
to the MEL-factor percentage.
EXAMPLE:
A fiberoptic bronchoscope costs the Army ,500 and has a useful life
expectancy of six years. The item is in for major repairs after two years
of service. Thus it has four years life remaining or 66 percent. The MEL
factor for this bronchoscope is 54 percent.
The MEL for materiel which has reached or exceeded its life expectancy is 10
NOTE:
percent. This percent remains constant so long as the materiel is used,
regardless of its age. At the other end of the scale, a new item which has
failed is considered to have no more than 80 percent of its life remaining.
MD0358
4-2