Biomedical Testing Maintenance for Medical Practices Overview
Vital Resus Australia offers biomedical testing for all medical practices to assist in compliance and ensure the accuracy and reliability of equipment for patients.
We have compile a list of commonly asked questions in relation to the equipment testing and maintenance at medical practices. You can download the PDF version of this by clicking here.
Who requires biomedical equipment testing and maintenance?
All practices are required to have biomedical equipment testing in accordance with the Work Health and Safety Act, Australian/New Zealand Standard 3551:2012 and RACGP requirements.
Under the Work Health and Safety Act, a person conducting a business or undertaking at a workplace must ensure that electrical equipment is regularly inspected and tested by a competent person in accordance with guidance provided in AS/NZS 3760:2010 In-service safety inspection and testing of electrical equipment.
AS/NZS 3551:2012 Management programs for medical devices provides guidance for the testing and maintenance requirements of medical devices and electrical devices used in patient care areas which are excluded from AS/NZS 3760:2010. In this standard it details that each item of equipment is to be tested, as referenced below, and therefore all practices are required to test medical devices and electronic devices used in patient care areas.
Each item of equipment is;
- acceptance tested prior to clinical use;
- subjected to routine performance verification during its useable life to detect damage, wear, component
- failure or changed component value which might render it unsafe; and maintained with reference to the manufacturer’s instructions
In addition to the Work Health and Safety Act, accredited practices are guided by the RACGP Standards for general practice (currently 4th edition). The standards detail that all equipment that requires calibration or that is electrically or battery operated requires regular servicing in accordance with the manufacturer’s instruction.
What types of testing and maintenance are there?
All practices are required to have biomedical equipment testing in accordance with the Work Health and Safety Act, Australian/New Zealand Standard 3551:2012 and RACGP requirements.
Under the Work Health and Safety Act, a person conducting a business or undertaking at a workplace must ensure that electrical equipment is regularly inspected and tested by a competent person in accordance with guidance provided in AS/NZS 3760:2010 In-service safety inspection and testing of electrical equipment.
AS/NZS 3551:2012 Management programs for medical devices provides guidance for the testing and maintenance requirements of medical devices and electrical devices used in patient care areas which are excluded from AS/NZS 3760:2010. In this standard it details that each item of equipment is to be tested, as referenced below, and therefore all practices are required to test medical devices and electronic devices used in patient care areas.
Each item of equipment is;
- acceptance tested prior to clinical use;
- subjected to routine performance verification during its useable life to detect damage, wear, component
- failure or changed component value which might render it unsafe; and maintained with reference to the manufacturer’s instructions
In addition to the Work Health and Safety Act, accredited practices are guided by the RACGP Standards for general practice (currently 4th edition). The standards detail that all equipment that requires calibration or that is electrically or battery operated requires regular servicing in accordance with the manufacturer’s instruction.
How often does equipment need to be tested and maintained?
All practices are required to have biomedical equipment testing in accordance with the Work Health and Safety Act, Australian/New Zealand Standard 3551:2012 and RACGP requirements.
Under the Work Health and Safety Act, a person conducting a business or undertaking at a workplace must ensure that electrical equipment is regularly inspected and tested by a competent person in accordance with guidance provided in AS/NZS 3760:2010 In-service safety inspection and testing of electrical equipment.
AS/NZS 3551:2012 Management programs for medical devices provides guidance for the testing and maintenance requirements of medical devices and electrical devices used in patient care areas which are excluded from AS/NZS 3760:2010. In this standard it details that each item of equipment is to be tested, as referenced below, and therefore all practices are required to test medical devices and electronic devices used in patient care areas.
Each item of equipment is;
- acceptance tested prior to clinical use;
- subjected to routine performance verification during its useable life to detect damage, wear, component
- failure or changed component value which might render it unsafe; and maintained with reference to the manufacturer’s instructions
In addition to the Work Health and Safety Act, accredited practices are guided by the RACGP Standards for general practice (currently 4th edition). The standards detail that all equipment that requires calibration or that is electrically or battery operated requires regular servicing in accordance with the manufacturer’s instruction.
Are there any other benefits of testing and maintaining medical equipment?
All practices are required to have biomedical equipment testing in accordance with the Work Health and Safety Act, Australian/New Zealand Standard 3551:2012 and RACGP requirements.
Under the Work Health and Safety Act, a person conducting a business or undertaking at a workplace must ensure that electrical equipment is regularly inspected and tested by a competent person in accordance with guidance provided in AS/NZS 3760:2010 In-service safety inspection and testing of electrical equipment.
AS/NZS 3551:2012 Management programs for medical devices provides guidance for the testing and maintenance requirements of medical devices and electrical devices used in patient care areas which are excluded from AS/NZS 3760:2010. In this standard it details that each item of equipment is to be tested, as referenced below, and therefore all practices are required to test medical devices and electronic devices used in patient care areas.
Each item of equipment is;
- acceptance tested prior to clinical use;
- subjected to routine performance verification during its useable life to detect damage, wear, component
- failure or changed component value which might render it unsafe; and maintained with reference to the manufacturer’s instructions
In addition to the Work Health and Safety Act, accredited practices are guided by the RACGP Standards for general practice (currently 4th edition). The standards detail that all equipment that requires calibration or that is electrically or battery operated requires regular servicing in accordance with the manufacturer’s instruction.
What will happen if equipment is NOT tested and maintained?
All practices are required to have biomedical equipment testing in accordance with the Work Health and Safety Act, Australian/New Zealand Standard 3551:2012 and RACGP requirements.
Under the Work Health and Safety Act, a person conducting a business or undertaking at a workplace must ensure that electrical equipment is regularly inspected and tested by a competent person in accordance with guidance provided in AS/NZS 3760:2010 In-service safety inspection and testing of electrical equipment.
AS/NZS 3551:2012 Management programs for medical devices provides guidance for the testing and maintenance requirements of medical devices and electrical devices used in patient care areas which are excluded from AS/NZS 3760:2010. In this standard it details that each item of equipment is to be tested, as referenced below, and therefore all practices are required to test medical devices and electronic devices used in patient care areas.
Each item of equipment is;
- acceptance tested prior to clinical use;
- subjected to routine performance verification during its useable life to detect damage, wear, component
- failure or changed component value which might render it unsafe; and maintained with reference to the manufacturer’s instructions
In addition to the Work Health and Safety Act, accredited practices are guided by the RACGP Standards for general practice (currently 4th edition). The standards detail that all equipment that requires calibration or that is electrically or battery operated requires regular servicing in accordance with the manufacturer’s instruction.
If you would like to book your biomedical equipment testing and maintenance now, or if you have any questions in relation to your specific medical equipment requirements, please reach out to us