Medical device maintenance outsourcing: Have operation management research and management theories forgotten the medical engineering community? A mapping review

In this paper, we examine the large body of existing research on outsourcing, and assess the status of research on outsourcing the maintenance of medical devices. Because so little research in this area currently exists, the study was broadened to include other fields that outsource maintenance services, and considers possible applications to the field of medical device maintenance. In all, this paper examines 55 articles spanning various dimensions, including: mathematical models, empirical studies, and conceptual papers. We conclude that research into the outsourcing of medical device maintenance services in hospitals is still in its infancy stages, and that further progress in this field would benefit from additional empirical study grounded in management theory.

► The outsourcing of maintenance services in hospitals is still in its infancy stages.
► None mathematical model papers were applied to medical device maintenance outsourcing.
► The majority of mathematical model proposals were not applied to any industry.
► Proposals are weighed in favor of cross-sectional surveys rather than longitudinal studies.
► The distribution of the industry application of research is weighed heavily in favor of the information technology systems field.