Development of a Maintenance Management Model to Enhance Plumbing System Performance for Hospitals in Tanzania: A Case Study at Muhimbili Orthopaedical Institute (MOI)

Salesia Msigwa; Johnson Luke Malisa

doi:10.37284/eaje.8.2.4068

Salesia Msigwa Dar es Salaam Institute of Technology
Johnson Luke Malisa, PhD Dar es Salaam Institute of Technology

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37284/eaje.8.2.4068

Keywords: Maintenance Management, Plumbing Systems, Hospital Infrastructure, Predictive Maintenance, Performance Optimisation, Tanzania Healthcare

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Abstract

Plumbing systems are a critical infrastructure in hospitals, directly linked to hygiene, patient care, and operational efficiency. At Muhimbili Orthopaedic Institute (MOI), frequent plumbing failures, leakages, and service interruptions have affected effective service delivery due to inadequate maintenance practices. This study aimed to develop a comprehensive maintenance management model designed to enhance the performance and reliability of the plumbing system at MOI. The research employed a mixed-methods approach using structured questionnaires distributed to 48 MOI technical staff, comprehensive field assessments, and detailed analysis of maintenance records spanning five years (2019-2024). Data collection included systematic plumbing condition surveys, stakeholder interviews with facility managers and maintenance personnel, and economic analysis of maintenance costs and system downtime impacts. Research results showed that ageing infrastructure (RII=0.80), proper installation techniques (RII=0.78), lack of skilled personnel (RII=0.75), high user population (RII=0.74), and environmental conditions (RII=0.73) were primary factors contributing to poor plumbing system performance. A detailed maintenance management model was developed combining these dependent and independent variables through multiple linear regression analysis. Statistical validation included residual analysis, multicollinearity testing, and cross-validation procedures to ensure model robustness. The regression model achieved an R² value of 0.717, explaining 71.7% of the variance in plumbing system performance. Model validation using Mean Absolute Error (MAE) of 7% confirmed its predictive accuracy and practical applicability for hospital settings. The study concludes that implementing the proposed model can reduce system failures by 35%, minimise leakages by 40%, extend the lifespan of plumbing systems by 25%, and increase overall efficiency while reducing annual maintenance costs by an estimated 30%.

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