What is medical equipment?

Medical equipment is any device that is used in the rendering of patient care.

Medical equipment is inventoried, tracked and maintained by the Department of Clinical Engineering.

Equipment Maintained By Clinical Engineering Includes:

• EKG machines                                 • Infusion pumps

• Ultrasound machines                    • Anesthesia machines

• X-ray machines                               • Defibrillators

• Patient bedside monitors             • Ventilators

• Blood pressure monitors              • Sterilizers

• Electrosurgical units                      • Pulse oximeters

• Hypothermia machines                 • Lasers

Equipment Not Maintained By Clinical Engineering Includes:

• Office machines

• Wheelchairs

• Patient beds

• Mercury blood pressure machines (non-electronic)

*Physical Plant Maintenance Department repairs equipment such as beds, tables and stretchers.

Who do I call when medical equipment breaks?

If the equipment has a red or blue Clinical Engineering bar code label, call Clinical Engineering at 2-6661.

For other equipment such as beds or wheelchairs, call Physical Plant at 2-5400.

How do I know that the medical equipment I work with is safe to use?

All medical equipment is safety checked and tagged with a barcode sticker by Clinical Engineering.

Maintenance PM schedule includes inspections and function checks.  Sometimes, parts are replaced if required by the manufacturer, e.g., once a year for patient monitors and most medical devices, every three months for anesthesia machines.

There are no maintenance requirements for certain items.  Only a safety check is performed when the unit is first installed and whenever the item is brought to Clinical Engineering for repair.  These items include, but are not limited to scales, otoscopes, and thermometers.

Types Of Labels Used By Clinical Engineering:

1.     White bar-code label with red stripe on top (similar to hospital signs).  This indicates the item was purchased by University Hospital and inventoried by Clinical Engineering.

2.     White bar-code label with blue stripe on top.  This item is tracked by Clinical Engineering, but is not owned by the hospital.  Such an item may be on long-term loan to the hospital.

3.     Plain silver sticker This equipment is under a periodic maintenance schedule.

4.     Plain orange sticker This shows the date the equipment was inspected or placed into service.  It does not mean the equipment has a yearly inspection.

What should I do if the equipment malfunctions during patient use?

• Turn off the equipment

• Remove all patient connections

• Isolate and tag the item note that the item was involved in an incident

• Do not attempt to remove wall mounted equipment, simply tag it

• Call Clinical Engineering at 2-6661

• Have your manager notify Risk and Claims

• Submit an incident report to Risk and Claims

• Do not tamper with the equipment

• Do not allow anyone except Clinical Engineering to adjust or repair the item

What personal devices are NOT allowed into University Hospital?

• Hotplates

• Toasters

• Toaster ovens

• Electric frying pans

Can I use my cellular phone in the Hospital?

Cellular phone use is prohibited in patient care areas of University Hospital.

Radio frequency transmitting devices such as cellular phones can interfere with some medical equipment such as cardiac monitors, intravenous pumps, etc.