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Organizations routinely assess their medical equipment to ensure the devices are operating at optimum performance and to identify any potential safety hazards. Evaluating the equipment’s condition helps identify products that need to be replaced or repaired and to maintain a department’s workflow and efficiency.
These assessments can be performed by asking the staff if they are encountering any recurring issues with the equipment, either mechanically or with usage. When specifically assessing a facility’s medical scales the inspector should ask if the clinicians are having trouble with the scale locking onto a patient weight. Clinicians should also comment if they are having trouble with any physical parts of the scale such as the lifting/lowering of the platform or moving the scale throughout the facility.
Evaluating medical scales should also include review of broken parts or damage from wear and tear. For example, with stand-on platform scales it is critical to ensure the handlebars are not loose and the mat on the platform is not torn or peeling. The scale’s main column must be secure and stable and if a height rod is included it should be securely attached. For pediatric tray scales check that the tray is not chipped, and that the mounting pegs are not broken. A scale’s appearance should also be inspected paying special attention for signs of rust or dirt.
In addition to a scale’s condition, staff should assess other details such as contamination points or if the equipment is not sufficient to meet the needs of the department. For instance, some scales may have spaces or crevices where dirt and bacteria may collect, which may interfere with a hospital’s infection prevention efforts. Wheelchair scales should provide adequate space to handle all wheelchair sizes with ramps that have a manageable slope incline.
Equipment manufacturers, such as Health o meter Professional Scales, often have field representatives that can help a facility assess their existing equipment and determine if a new scale is required. In some cases, replacement parts can also be offered to the return a scale to its optimal condition. As always, if a facility has a question about their equipment, staff can contact Health o meter Professional Customer Service at 1-800-815-6615 or homprocs@homscales.com.