Medical equipment needs to be maintained to function properly and provide accurate results. Proper maintenance can also reduce costs and extend quality of life. Regular checks also reduce breakdowns and keep a safe environment for staff and patients. If you have medical equipment to maintain, here are five maintenance tips.

Regular Inspections and Testing

Regular inspections and testing will make sure that the equipment is ready for patient use. Trained technicians should inspect the equipment for any damage, whether electronic or mechanical/physical. Wear and tear can also happen, so it is important that the inspection includes a comprehensive physical inspection. 

Recalibrate anything that shows up as an error and verify the accuracy when doing the testing. Make sure to inspect all cables and replace any that show wear or questionable connectors. A missing or broken piece or loose or missing hardware should be reported and corrected before placing the equipment back in active inventory.

Remember to Keep a Record of All Medical Maintenance

Keeping a record of all the tasks performed, and when the check took place will help should you need to show a log for an audit trail. The log should include when the maintenance was done, and if anything was fixed or replaced. The log should also have the name of the person who performed the service, and any additional work that may need to be done to the item. A maintenance log is a standard procedure for maintaining a healthy and available equipment inventory.  

Regular Cleaning, Sanitizing, and Disinfecting

Regular cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting is a way to ensure the equipment is ready for use by the next patient. Clearing, sanitizing, and disinfecting after every use will also help prevent the spread of infection. Durable equipment should be cleaned and sanitized upon return and also when distributed to a new patient, likewise, disposable and/or one time use accessories should follow the same process. The staff should be trained on the correct cleaning process. Be sure to have the correct cleaning products on hand.  

Ensure the Staff Stays Trained

A tenant of medical equipment maintenance is making sure that the staff is trained on how to properly use, maintain, and store the equipment. This should include training new employees and retraining staff with any product updates.

Turn Off Equipment After Use and Keep Up with Software and Security Updates

Turning off the electronic  equipment after use is a way to save energy and also prolong equipment life.  This can also help  prevent over-heating. However, some equipment may need to remain plugged in to preserve accuracy or stored data so it’s important to check with the manufacturer. Certain equipment may require a software update for new features or bug fixes. For ‘internet connected  devices’ regular updates  including  security patches is strongly recommended. Also add this to the maintenance log.  

Regular maintenance will not only keep your equipment ready for use and ensure that it is safe and sanitary for both your staff and patient’s use. Check out ATC Medical for all your exam room needs.