We’ve witnessed huge developments in biotechnology in recent years, which have upgraded medical diagnosis and treatment enormously. However, one factor that sometimes gets overlooked is the Biomedical Equipment Safety Inspection, despite rising alertness of its importance. Proper Safety Inspection ensures the maximum level of safety for medical instruments.
Electrical Safety Inspection
The main objective of the execution an electrical safety inspection on medical equipment is to ensure patients’ safety. It is essential to test apparatus for any electrical internal failures and outflow currents, as well as impairment to power cords, AC main feeds, fuses, and power bars. In order to commend a unit for use, it must congregate the applicable codes and standards.
• Electrical Safety during Deterrent Maintenance
During the annual deterrent maintenance testing, when TRH Services concludes an electrical safety test on your devices, some special care should be put into inspection for the following:
• Substantially damaged wires and cords: The visual inspect for any damaged mechanisms of the power supply is mandatory.
• Application of correct electrical cords, cord caps, etc. (hospital grade): Hospital grade cords congregate industry standards such as wire gauge, shielding, and steadfast grounding source. All power cords that are recognised for medical equipment use can be easily distinguished by a green dot positioned on the cord cap.
• Leakage currents: Subsequent to a visual inspection, the test for leakage currents using a safety analyser is essential. A leakage current is triggered by the relapse of the shielding material allowing the electric current to possibly transfer to alternative object.
Electrical safety standards
To support authenticate the operations and safety of medical devices, electrical safety standards have been laid in UAE, European countries, and other parts of the world. The standards vary in norms, capacities, and procedure. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electro-technical Commission (IEC) associations based in Europe offer standards globally in syndicate with the World Trade Organization. These involve standards for electro-medical equipment. The standards for medical device electrical safety can be general and specific. General requirements for safety against electric shock hazards are enclosed in IEC 60601.1, Section 3.
In this standard, each instrument has a class:
• Class I—Live part shielded by fundamental insulation and protective earth
• Class II—Live part concealed by double or reinforced insulation
• Class IP—Internal power supply
Each patient applied part or patient lead has a type:
• Type B—Patient applied part earthed
• Type BF—Patient applied part variable (surface conductor)
• Type CF—Patient applied part variable for use in straight contact with the heart
Leakage measurement restrictions have been developed for equipment types and measurements which involve:
• NC—normal conditions
• SFC—single fault conditions
When to Test:
On freshly assimilated equipment prior to being putative for use: It is essential to do incoming assessments in order to ascertain that the device is working appropriately rather than assume it is operational. Any essential upkeeps may be covered by warranty, possibly saving you few grands.
• During periodic precautionary maintenance: It is imperative to test during a periodic precautionary maintenance program so that we can ascertain that the unit will be functioning properly until at least the next PM. If there is a hitch, or upcoming estimative problem, the issue can be dealt with without triggering any discrepancies or an unplanned interruption in service.
• After restorations have been carried out on equipment: There is an extra optional safety deterrent that can be performed known as electrical safety tests after every restoration before resuming the unit and approving it for use.
Explanations a Unit May Crash
The following details the usual reasons that may lead to the failure of a unit in an electrical safety test.
The unit or any of its apparatuses are physically impaired
The power cord cap is not Hospital Grade, or the power bar attached to the unit is not Hospital Grade
The grounding endurance of the unit to Earth exceeds 0.2Ω/Foot
The unit surpasses permissible leakage current of 250 µA (or up to 500 µA in certain devices)
Trouble Shooting:
• Patient felt a jolt: Visually examine for any impairment to the power source or cords. If there is no visual impairment existing, such as unprotected wire or wrecked strain relief, then there may be an inner problem possibly. It is advisable to call the engineer from the brand in this case.
• Power disruptions with medical devices: In the event of a power disruption, often it is that the power source is the problem. Confirm the power cord has not been unplugged from the wall, and then make sure it is attached to the unit. Perhaps there could be that a fuse has wafted or that the power supply has crashed.
In all, the ‘safety’ fact is that Biomedical Equipment Safety Inspection in UAE follow all the crucial protocols and have an unbreakable record of client supremacy that is sustaining their position in the upper echelon of the industry.
