Bruce H. Barkalow,
Ph.D., PE, CCE
490 Quarterline SE
Newaygo, MI 49337-9125
Tel: (231) 652-2228
Fax: (231) 652-7912
Email: bhbi@riverview.net
Web page: www.bhbi.com
Medical Devices Under the Radar
Presented at the 2003 Biomedical Association of Wisconsin Conference and Vendor Show
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Presentation Summary
The Joint Commission historically specifies the type of medical equipment to be included in a program for preventive maintenance and record keeping. The equipment tends to be durable hardware such as defibrillators, ventilators, physiological monitors, etc. However, there is a set of medical equipment that is typically not in any hospital medical equipment program and yet is prone to short useful life. This equipment may be part of undocumented, haphazard “inspection” program. Such equipment can include semi-disposable wires, connectors, surgical tools, and ancillary equipment to other medical devices. Examples of failures of these types of medical devices resulting in serious physical injury with legal consequences was presented.