Department of Pediatrics, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh. E-mail: drpkumarpgi@rediffmail.com
#All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.
Background: A variety of Indian made neonatal equipments are being used in the country. The lower cost of these equipments makes them attractive. However there is no information about their quality and reliability.
Objective: To assess the quality and reliability of Indian made neonatal equipment.
Methods: An email/postal questionnaire sent to the heads of 56 neonatal units.
Results: Thirty nine (70%) units responded. Overall, Indian made equipment was in use more frequently with the exception of pulse oximeters, ventilators and infusion pumps. Amongst the Indian made equipment, weighing scales got the best rating. CPAP machine, resuscitation bags and multi-channel monitors fared worse in the quality and reliability rating.
Conclusions: Though a number of Indian made neonatal care equipments were considered satisfactory by the users, their ratings did not match that of the imported equipment.
email survey, infant, neonatal equipment, newborn, quality assessment
