What type of person or company performs Patient care-related electrical equipment inspection?
Patient Care-Related Electrical Equipment (PCREE) inspections are performed by qualified individuals or companies with specific expertise in biomedical engineering, clinical engineering, or medical equipment maintenance. The type of person or company that performs these inspections must have the technical knowledge, certifications, and experience required to test, maintain, and repair electrical medical equipment according to regulatory standards.
Types of Personnel or Companies Performing PCREE Inspections
Biomedical or Clinical Engineers:
These are professionals with specialized training in biomedical or clinical engineering. They typically have a degree in biomedical engineering, electrical engineering, or a related field, and they are knowledgeable about the operation, maintenance, and safety requirements of medical equipment.
Biomedical engineers in healthcare facilities often oversee equipment inspection programs, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and manufacturer guidelines. They are responsible for testing equipment, calibrating devices, performing preventive maintenance, and documenting the results.
Biomedical Equipment Technicians (BMETs):
BMETs, also known as Medical Equipment Repairers, are trained technicians who perform regular inspections, preventive maintenance, repairs, and safety testing of medical equipment. They are typically certified by organizations such as the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) or the International Certification Commission (ICC) as a Certified Biomedical Equipment Technician (CBET).
BMETs work in various settings, including hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and clinics, as well as for third-party service providers. They are often responsible for carrying out routine inspections and testing to ensure equipment safety and proper functioning.
Clinical Engineering Departments in Healthcare Facilities:
Many larger healthcare facilities, such as hospitals and large clinics, have dedicated clinical engineering or biomedical engineering departments. These departments employ a team of biomedical engineers, BMETs, and other technicians who are responsible for managing the facility's entire inventory of medical equipment.
These departments develop and maintain comprehensive equipment management programs, which include regular inspections, maintenance schedules, repair protocols, and regulatory compliance.
Third-Party Medical Equipment Service Companies:
These are specialized companies that offer equipment management services, including inspection, testing, maintenance, and repair of patient care-related electrical equipment. They are contracted by healthcare facilities to provide expert services when in-house resources are limited or when specialized equipment requires specific knowledge.
Third-party service companies may have teams of certified BMETs, clinical engineers, and other specialists who provide on-site services. They are often certified by relevant professional organizations and comply with industry standards, such as those set by the Joint Commission (TJC) or CMS.
Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs):
OEMs, such as Philips, GE Healthcare, Siemens, and others, often offer service contracts for their own equipment. These contracts include regular inspections, preventive maintenance, repairs, and calibration services performed by factory-trained technicians.
Utilizing OEM services ensures that inspections and maintenance are conducted according to the manufacturer's specifications, which is crucial for compliance with regulatory requirements and warranty conditions.
Accredited Calibration and Testing Laboratories:
Some accredited laboratories specialize in the calibration and testing of medical equipment. These laboratories are certified to perform precise measurements and adjustments to ensure that equipment meets safety and performance standards.
These laboratories often have ISO (International Organization for Standardization) accreditation, such as ISO 17025, which signifies their competence to carry out tests and calibrations, including medical equipment inspections.
Certified Electrical Safety Compliance Professionals:
In some cases, electrical safety compliance professionals, who are certified by organizations like the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) or the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI), may perform electrical safety inspections. These individuals specialize in ensuring that electrical devices used in patient care settings comply with NFPA 99 (Health Care Facilities Code) and other safety standards.
Qualifications and Certifications for PCREE Inspectors
Certifications: Certifications such as Certified Biomedical Equipment Technician (CBET), Certified Radiology Equipment Specialist (CRES), or Certified Laboratory Equipment Specialist (CLES) from AAMI or ICC are commonly held by those who perform PCREE inspections.
Training: Inspectors typically undergo formal training in biomedical engineering, clinical engineering, electrical engineering, or a related field. This training includes knowledge of medical equipment safety standards, electrical safety testing, and preventive maintenance procedures.
Experience: Professionals performing inspections should have experience with various types of medical equipment, understand healthcare facility operations, and be familiar with relevant regulatory requirements (e.g., NFPA, CMS, TJC standards).
Compliance with Standards: Inspectors must be knowledgeable about and adhere to the standards set by organizations such as the Joint Commission (TJC), NFPA, OSHA, and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), as well as any state or local regulations.
Summary
PCREE inspections are performed by a variety of professionals and entities, including:
Biomedical Engineers and Technicians within healthcare facilities.
Third-Party Service Providers specializing in medical equipment maintenance.
Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) offering service contracts for their equipment.
Accredited Calibration and Testing Laboratories with expertise in medical equipment.
Certified Electrical Safety Compliance Professionals with relevant training and certifications.
These professionals ensure that patient care-related electrical equipment is inspected, maintained, and tested according to regulatory standards, thereby ensuring safety, compliance, and proper functioning in healthcare environments.