AASM CENTER ACCREDITATION FACT SHEET
Equipment Maintenance
AASM Center Accreditation Fact Sheet
Equipment Maintenance
Denition of Medical Equipment
Medical equipment is dened as any patient-related equipment that
is facility owned, borrowed, leased, consigned, or equipment used for
demonstration purposes and data collection, such as, oxygen equip-
ment, sensors, bands, oximeters, thermistors, beds, PAP equipment,
and biophysiologic equipment.
The Purpose of Equipment Maintenance
A routine schedule for the inspection and maintenance of all patient-
related equipment helps ensure the safety of patients and personnel
as well as accurate and uninterrupted operation.
Three Major Components of Equipment Maintenance:
1. Routine visual inspection for apparent defects by technical
staff at least monthly
Visually inspect the physical condition of equipment for aws, cracks,
deformities, tears, or any other visually apparent defects. Inspect
for: loose knobs or switches, frayed or cracked power cords, loose or
broken plug pins, loose power plug or any medical equipment with a
two-pronged plug. Ensure equipment is labeled with a current electri-
cal safety inspection sticker. Ensure no electrical cords are used and
patient’s personal electrical appliances are not used.
Complete performance test checking for appropriate lights or tones
when unit is operated.
If any problems are noted, remove equipment, tag appropriately, and
send for repair by an authorized technician.
A written plan for monitoring of all patient-
related equipment for electrical and me-
chanical safety is required. The written plan
must include specic instructions regarding
documentation of compliance. The plan
must address: monthly visual inspection of
equipment by staff for apparent defects; ad-
hering to manufacturer’s recommendations
for monitoring and maintenance of recording
equipment; and electrical safety testing by a
certied electrician or biomedical engineer
to include at least annual testing for ground
fault (resistance should be less than 0.5
ohms from chassis to ground) and chassis
leakage current (amperage should be less
than 100 microamps from equipment that
will be in direct contact with the patient, and
less than 300 microamps from equipment
that will not be in direct contact with the
patient, including the recording PCs).
AASM CENTER AC C R E D I TATION FAC T S H E E T
1
STANDARD E-4-EQUIPMENT
MAINTENANCE