EBME Forums Forums Management Medical Equipment Management No more PAT testing of medical equipment!

I get told to test to 60601, so that is what I do. What are difference in these standards, other than scrolling down a bit further on my Rigel 288? Is a 62353 more comprehensive, tighter tolerances? Really can't be bothered to investigate myself. Surely my engineering authority already know of this 62353 standard and have discounted it, well I'd like to think they would have.

Geoff, its a bit political, the IPT are pretty adamant that we don't touch any locally purchased items. In the end we would spending a resource (time) to test equipment that is not supported by the MOD, especially when that equipment can be procured properly though the correct channels, with the in place support documentation and policies.
I've pitched up at one med centre where I found 6 boscarol suction units and four GE monitors (quite expensive collectively) with no support in place, bought locally, when the med centre could've easily ordered Laerdal LSUs and Propaq monitors, at no cost to say underspend on a general budget.

So ... equipment safety goes out the window, whilst the various Directorates squabble?

It sounds to me, Mate, that the management at yet another "national treasure" needs to "get a grip"!

To be honet Geoff, we can't have clinicians just buying gear willynilly that appears Gucci, when the medics are unfamiliar in their use, will not be aeromedical approved, no passed ruggedisation tests required for field conditions.

Indeed. But who are these "clinicians"? Civvies?

Don't they have to follow the rules, then?

Anyway, Mate ... all this will be become very familiar once you walk down Civvy Street yourself. You'll come across plenty of prima donnas then, believe me.

The real worry in the UK is that GPs will now be in control of the funds yet have little idea about the requirements, especially for technology items.

I doubt they know about 93/42/EEC, 60601 or 62353 and will guarantee they know nothing about the BS7671 wiring regulations and section 710 - medical locations. I bet few GPs surgeries realise that a doctors examination room is most likely a group 1 medical location. I also bet may have a standard wall mounted angle poise lamp for examinations when it should be a proper 60601 certified light.

The dumbing down of our society is not just confined to the lower classes anymore!

Why should anyone expect them to know about any of that stuff? That's our job!

And (hopefully) they have more important things to attend to!

Meanwhile, "dumbing down" is all part of the Plan - but don't get me going on that (but if you want, why not Google "Common Purpose" for starters)!

Perhaps it's just as well that some (many, I hope) of us not only refuse to be "dumbed down", but are also willing to "step up to the plate" and deal with issues head on! It's what we used to refer to as "the burden of competence".

Any body got any comments on standard PCs in the "medical environment"?
I asked the MHRA about this as I was asked about a PC in an out-patient setting. Thier response was that it should be taken as a standard not medical environment as the patients were mobile and not comnnected to it - the same as the drinks machine in the waiting room.
But how about a PC on a nurses station that "ill" patients will pass by? It might be further from the bed that the defined area but patients are not static.
Robert

But is "passing by" the criteria?

How about:- "connected to" (or not)?

There again, I suppose there is always the possibility of a "trip hazard", judging by some of the "poor installations" (not to mention "rats nests" of cables) I have seen in some ICU's.

But ... PAT testing on PC's and similar kit? Not such a good idea, in my opinion. Best let the lads stick to kettles, toasters, and stuff like that, I reckon.

It is essential that those working with medical equipment make themselves aware of the contents of the wiring regulations, BS7671:2008 (2011), especially section 710.

The definition of medical locations is as follows:

Group 0

Medical location where no applied parts are intended to be used and where discontinuity (failure) of the supply cannot cause danger to life.

Group 1

Medical location where discontinuity of the electrical supply does not represent a threat to the safety of the patient and applied parts are intended to be used:

- Externally
- Invasively to any part of the body except where group 2 applies.

Group 2

Medical location where applied parts are intended to be used, and where discontinuity (failure) of the supply can cause danger to life, in applications such as:

- Intracardiac procedures
- Vital treatments and surgical operations