This paper constitutes a presentation to health care managers on the clinical engineering role in the hospital. Guidelines are covered that were issued in 1976, by the Joint Commission for the Accreditation of Hospitals: the engineering problems, goals, and solutions addressed in the clinical engineering function; the education of the clinical engineer; and the alternative methods of delivering engineering support services to the hospital. The material included in this paper can form the basis for presentations intended to increase awareness of the role of clinical engineering, improve compliance with JCAH requirements, and to stimulate action to make effective use of engineering.