Hello Rob,
I'd be interested to know in what way that "I'm missing the point" (that's if you are refering to myself?)
I thought that it goes without question that when you check and test all medical equipment you carry out:
(1)A visual check of case, leads, connectors, plugs, sockets,etc.
(2)A mechanical check of any moving parts.
(3)A functional check
(4)Checks that the equipment is within manufacturers spec.
(5)An electrical safety check.
You also carry out any other tests that the manufacturer recommends or is in the test protocol for your department. These tests are either carried out annually or at any other interval that the manufacturer recommends or that your department has decided is appropriate for the equipment concerned. We call this Planned Preventive Maintenance (PPM's) and any EMBE unit or MEMU who doesn't do this isn't doing its job properly.
My point was, how much time and to what degree you devote to No. (5). It all depends on the equipment and the likly risk involved. Clearly, with interconnected systems there is much more of a problem when your looking at patient leakage currents than when your looking at a "stand alone" device.
Ian
