Safety Checks Needless or Not?
In the July 2005 Soapbox article [“The More Technical You Are, the Better”], Scottie R. DeWolfe writes about biomeds performing needless safety checks. One example he gave was a biomed shop “still safety checking all the leads on an electro-cardiogram (ECG) machine.” DeWolfe goes on to explain that for the past 10 years, all manufacturers of ECG/EKG machines have incorporated optical isolation in all of their ECG leads.

Well, I am always looking for ways to reduce needless and unnecessary tests. I also don’t take the word of any one individual until I check it out for myself. So, I called several mainline equipment manufacturers, including one of 12-lead ECG/EKG machines, one of defibrillators, and one of vital-signs monitors. Each manufacturer confirmed what DeWolfe had stated: The ECG leads were optio-isolated. But, all the manufacturing reps stated that lead-leakage tests were still required to ensure proper operation and to verify that there was no component malfunction.

What does DeWolfe recommend as the accepted failure-versus-inspection ratio? 1 in 10? 1 in 100? 1 in 1,000? If a piece of equipment hasn’t failed any tests in 5 years, should it be removed from the preventive maintenance schedule? If that were true, I could show you that in the last 5 years, we have not needed to touch our defibrillators except for planned maintenance and cases of physical abuse.

The big question is: When is it justified to go outside manufacturer recommendations for scheduled maintenance? We live in a sue-happy society. Ask any nurse. They will tell you that they spend more time documenting their work than doing their work. The main reason is to keep themselves and their employers out of the courts. With the automation of safety checking, I think checking ECG leads is a minor inconvenience. I think there are a lot of other things I would like to do to eliminate useless checks and inspections. But, as long as we have lawyers ready to pounce on the smallest infraction, I'll follow the manufacturer recommendations and let them take the heat.

—Randy Christensen, CBET, CCNA
Clinical Engineering Charge
Kalispell Regional Medical Center, Kalispell, Mont

After reading the July issue, I was a little upset with the comments Scottie R. DeWolfe made in his Soapbox column. It seems to me that DeWolfe likes to talk down to junior biomeds to make himself feel better. I have more than 17 years of experience as a certified BMET, so I know what I am talking about.

I would certainly agree that safety checks may seem dull and boring, but they are still necessary. For example: Yes, I agree with Scottie that cables are optically isolated, but the cables still need to be inspected. The cable could be cut, or the cable itself could be damaged. You perform a performance test to check the overall operation, and change the parts necessary to prevent the unit from breaking down. If you have the attitude that you don’t have to check anything out anymore, you will find yourself right out the door.

—Michael Magee
Biomedical Engineer
Surgiquip Solutions Inc

BMETs on the Cover
First, I’d like to say that I really enjoy receiving and reading 24x7. But (isn’t there always a “but”?), I would like to see a biomed team on the cover. Maybe you could do like a mini-profile on how each individual contributes to the team.

Nothing against directors or managers, but these are not the people who have their hands on the equipment that your magazine talks about. A profile of a biomed team would be a refreshing article to read, just to get an idea of how other shops run, their backgrounds, etc. Now, what team to choose? I’ll leave that decision to the editor, but my recommendation would just be partial to the great team we have here at Sparrow.

—Christina Newton
Biomedical Equipment Technician
Sparrow Health System, Lansing, Mich

Editor’s note: I am interested in profiling biomedical/clinical engineering teams at hospitals or independent service organizations. If you think your team would be an appropriate subject for such an article, please email kstephens@ascendmedia.com  the following information:

• the number of people on the team;
• brief description of what makes your department unique (including any special projects on which your team is currently working or has recently worked); and
• recent/major accomplishments.