In a risk-based preventive maintenance program, what factor most influences the scheduling frequency of PM tasks?

In a risk-based preventive maintenance (PM) program, the factor that most influences the scheduling frequency of PM tasks is the criticality of the equipment and the potential consequences of its failure. Risk-based PM focuses on prioritizing maintenance activities based on the potential impact of equipment failure on hospital operations, patient safety, and regulatory compliance. Criticality refers to how essential a piece of equipment is to the hospital's core functions; for example, a backup generator is more critical than an office printer. The higher the criticality and the more severe the consequences of failure (such as patient harm, disruption of essential services, or regulatory violations), the more frequently the equipment should be inspected and maintained. For instance, equipment supporting life-support systems would have a higher PM frequency than equipment used for non-critical tasks. This approach helps to optimize resource allocation by focusing maintenance efforts on the assets that pose the greatest risk to the organization. Factors like manufacturer recommendations, equipment age, and environmental conditions also play a role, but the criticality assessment is the primary driver in determining PM frequency.