Methods for medical device and equipment procurement and prioritization within low- and middle-income countries: findings of a systematic literature review.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Forty to 70 % of medical devices and equipment in low- and middle-income countries are broken, unused or unfit for purpose; this impairs service delivery to patients and results in lost resources. Undiscerning procurement processes are at the heart of this issue. We conducted a systematic review of the literature to August 2013 with no time or language restrictions to identify what product selection or prioritization methods are recommended or used for medical device and equipment procurement planning within low- and middle-income countries. We explore the factors/evidence-base proposed for consideration within such methods and identify prioritization criteria.

Results

We included 217 documents (corresponding to 250 texts) in the narrative synthesis. Of these 111

SUBMITTER: Diaconu K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5563028 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature