New approach to electrical safety testing of electromedical equipment

The `New Approach' to electrical safety testing in Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital (SCGH) is based on the results and experience we have obtained in carrying out such tests for a period of over twenty years. Until recently our testing was carried out according to the annual procedures as described in Standards Australia recommendations. Test protocol changes have, however, now been made since it seemed from our records that we had been carrying out testing to an extent not justified by our test results. The paper describes the safety testing programme now in place at SCGH. This programme has resulted in substantial reduction in the testing time without, in our opinion, compromises in safety. The main elements in electromedical equipment test procedures are: Acceptance tests; in-service tests; and tests after repair. We have found that the main consumer of time in electrical safety testing, aside from the test procedure itself, is gaining access to the equipment. This can be particularly difficult in areas where equipment is in constant use, e.g. in CCU, ICU, Renal Dialysis, Operating Theatres, etc. We have developed an earth integrity meter for the purpose of checking medical equipment without the need to disconnect it from the mains supply or from the patient. By means of this device, together with our new testing protocol, access problems have been largely eliminated.