EBME Forums Forums Maintenance Test Equipment Testing Patient Scales

Hi Guys

Has anyone come across an alternate tester for testing patient scales.

My hospital has 50 odd scales and I have lost the strength to be able to wheel around 250 kgs for my annual testing .
Something like a calibrated strain gauge or ...

Cheers

Use plastic containers and water ... using the well known formula that relates volume of water to weight (mass).

Andy, Sounds like you need an apprentice !!

We don't check the calibration of scales, however, what would be wrong with just weighing yourself on a calibrated scale then quickly going round and weighing yourself on the 50 odd scales you have and if the measurement ties up(within a few percent) it passes.

See this earlier thread ... and this one.

I can see the auditors having a field day with all these suggestions, the only correct way is to have 3 calibrated reference weights and use them. You may break your back but you are covering your backside.

Which auditors would that be?

And how do you calibrate weights? Certify, may be. And what tolerance is allowed?

I have a compression jig that can measure up to 500KG - use a car jack to make the compression.

The accuracy can easily be established by using known controlled weights and measuring main scale with these - I currently have accuracies of 1g in 100Kg - not high level, like lab level scales, but OK for human scales.

The whole thing weighs about 40 KG, and when its used correctly - you can measure any digital scales that lock out after a period of time, ie I regularly test Seca 813's to their max weight of 200Kg.

I believe all scales ought to be weight check across 100% of their weight range to ensure there is no mechanical sticking or binding at some point.

Phil

Phil, do you have a calibration certificate for your 'Jig' if not then all data is invalid.

JCI, CBAHI, ISO etc. require that all test equipment must be calibrated and certified annually.

Weights need a calibration certificate on an annual basis the same as test equipment