EBME Forums Forums Management Medical Equipment Management Electrical Safety in Patient's Homes

You may have seen that I offer training courses in electrical safety. It has been raised on my courses that there is a background concern about the quality of patient's home electrical systems.

Quite often, the elderly patient has lived there for many years and their home is in need of an update. I have encountered a home without PME - it was soon updated by the network lot but they wouldn't believe me when I first reported it. Rare but if you can't see an earth in an old cottage - it may be an issue.

It is quite a good point and I believe it has identified a gap that could be easily tackled but thought I'd seek other views so I can tweak what I teach.

I think a good approach is to:

Visually inspect the consumer unit to give you an idea of the general state
To use a plug in tester that cost around £8 - these are quite a fast indication of fault conditions without using meters and probes.
Look at the earthing as well to indicate age.
Ask for a test certificate

Among these and other tests, if it is suspected that the system is not good enough (compliance to the latest has to ignored here) then this would be justification to get a 17th edition certified electrician to do an earth loop test. This would cost less than £100 (unless what he finds is unacceptable) and doesn't mean EBME staff have to get specialised training other learning what to look for.

Regards

Ian

What sort of medical equipment are we talking about here ... nebulizer compressors?

Doesn't anyone ever "look" at medical equipment used in people's homes?

If the cottage doesn't have an earth, then the electrical safety tester won't (shouldn't) work!

Maybe the real issue (not to mention "opportunity") here is (lack of) equipment PM in domestic situations.

BTW, in situations like this I would have thought that the home-bound patient is more at risk from his (unearthed) electric oven, washing machine, instant shower et al.

PS - another thing to look for are (incorrect) BS-1362 fuses in BS-1363 mains plugs (potential fire hazard). Not to mention use of "adaptors", overloaded (and-or broken) socket outlets, "extension" cables and what-have-you.

Lastly, use of cigarettes at the same time as oxygen cylinders is to be discouraged!

Geoff,

Dialysis units from what I remember.

Agree on the fusing stuff but this is more about earth integrity and quality.

Agreed the tester would pick up no PME. That's why it's a brilliant idea.

BW Ian

1) Yes
2) Yes - very useful*
3) Where (how)?
4) Chances are there won't be one!

* Other Mains Socket Testers are available

And to quickly qualify, this is not about off-the-shelf devices - this is equipment supplied by Trusts - and then plugging it into a risky system.

BW Ian

Hopefully a dialysis unit would be installed by someone who knows what he is doing.

Meaning:- yes, I agree that the location should be thoroughly checked out first, and any remedies carried out, before the machine is commissioned.

Geoff,

3) at the consumer unit incomer and the gas meter. If that is bonded then that is assurance

4) If they have been there a long time then agree but if recently moved in then it may be easily accessed.

Geoff - I think £2.99 is a bit risky quality wise - best to go up market and get a Megger or Screwfix one

"Other Mains Socket Testers are available":-

Screwfix

Why not give them out as a "freebie" (memento) on the course, Ian?

Judging from my courses, some do not understand enough - but they do after I've finished ;-)

I do a pre-course questionnaire and 90% do not get more than 50%

Also - I asked MHRA and they feel this is outside their remit. Fully understand but it's a case of AAYOYO