Service engineers at Maquet, which supplies operating theatre and intensive care unit equipment, are now carrying advanced new instrumentation designed to test medical devices both in-service and post-repair in compliance with the new IEC 62353 standard.
The hand-held instrument combines the functions of a medical safety analyser with a data logging asset management tool. Its compact, lightweight design and long-life battery power reduce downtime between tests, making the device practical and portable for multi-site use, while Bluetooth technology enables wireless connection of barcode scanners, label printers and other accessories.
By allowing both automatic and manual testing, the Rigel 288 allows the appropriate test specifications to be pre-configured in the safety analyser in advance of hospital visits. On-site testing can then be undertaken safely and efficiently using direct barcode input of equipment ID and test parameters.
A large internal memory facilitates test result storage for safety audit and traceability purposes; test data can then be downloaded to a PC or output on-site via a dedicated print module.
Maquet’s engineers use this facility to print out test results immediately after testing, meaning they can supply hospitals with a complete electrical safety record of their equipment after each visit. The Rigel 288s will initially be used by Maquet’s critical care service team, but will eventually be supplied to all the company’s service engineers for annual maintenance checks or testing after any repairs to, or modifications of, medical devices.
