EBME Forums Forums Management Medical Equipment Management 60601-1

awesome, thank you. I will see if our engineers are familiar with the newer 60601

No external charger just 9 Volt or AAA batteries

Still a medical device as far as IEC 60601 is concerned.

Just rewrite your policy and procedures regarding the purchase of new equipment with regard to the route it must take to be added to the asset register prior to being used on a patient,

Yes Neil, who would have thought that we're still reminding folk about this stuff ... what is it now, nearly fifty years on?

People forget the simple stuff, always looking for the complicated

no just AA, AAA or 9V battery no charger

Simple instruments such as auriscopes (otoscopes) and ophthalmoscopes? Yes; they should be checked (but as a low priority if time is tight):- smooth operation of the rheostat, good battery connections (and replace batteries if need be), condition of "head".

I know that things have moved on a bit now, with larger inventories, and so forth, but when I was a hospital biomed I always wanted to check everything - even the non-biomed kit. Prevention is better than cure. I was always a bit miffed if something cropped up (an equipment failure, or a user complaint) that we didn't already "know" about.

Or are you asking about non-powered items ... as in do they come under 60601-1?

In this case, and in general, I would answer "No" (as they don't fall under "electrical safety"); however many non-powered items should still come within the catchment for PM. Each item should be assessed according to its complexity, and against any risk it may present to patients (especially if and when it fails).

For example:- patient hoists, medical air regulators (and flowmeters), anaesthesia machines (especially the old-fashioned type), gas-powered resuscitators ... and many more.

Geoff, I agree the equipment is checked/PM'd as "low" priority but our Engineer is stating to refuse battery operated devices unless the equipment has the 'CSA" or equivalent mark.
I see no reason why they are required to have this mark and I totally agree how can these devices fall under "electrical safety" when there is no mains cable.

Maybe your Engineer is just trying to discourage user staff from bringing in cheap, nasty rubbish.

And quite right too.

Meanwhile, I encourage you to confiscate any such junk you encounter when doing your rounds, and dumping same on the Engineer's desk (thereby affording him the pleasure of chucking it in the bin).

Meanwhile, in your spare moments, I urge you to read up on whichever Standards apply in your jurisdiction.