Developing a medical equipment maintenance program is crucial for ensuring equipment safety, maximizing equipment life, and reducing costs. EQ56 indicates minimum criteria to control the risks associated with medical equipment.EQ56 is intended to help "bring the base of the industry up to a minimum acceptable level," says Martin Freeman, Washington Hospital Center, co-chair of the AAMI Medical Equipment Management Committee. Freeman says that many hospital management programs fail to address certain equipment concerns, such as timely inspections and proper documentation. Developed by a group of BMETs, clinical and biomedical engineers, and medical equipment manufacturing engineers, the document helps health care facilities develop a management program in accordance with certain licensing agencies, such as the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations and the American Osteopathic Association.In addition, the recommended practice contains guidelines for program design and implementation, staffing, financial resources, equipment selection, and removal from service.