Medical Equipment Evaluation Check List

Medical equipment is an essential part of providing health care today. Whether it is a blood pressure monitor or an EKG machine, maintain all medical equipment regularly and evaluate for accurate performance. An evaluation check list provides a means to assure a routine review of all medical equipment used within a health care facility. Although each piece of medical equipment requires its own evaluation check list that specifically addresses the functions of that machine, include these universal check list items in every medical equipment evaluation.

Ad-Hoc Committe for Equipment Evaulation

• Assemble an ad-hoc committee comprised of members from the biomedical department, risk management and quality assurance for the purpose of drafting a medical equipment evaluation form for each piece of equipment used within the facility.

  Refer to the Joint Commission (formerly known as the Joint Commission Accreditation of Hospitals Organization) standards for monitoring maintenance and performance when drafting the evaluation forms. Create a system to archive the completed checklists for multiple years in case there are any questions during the Joint Commission review or medical malpractice lawsuits where a patient alleges injuries from a malfunctioning piece of medical equipment.

Medical Equipment Evaluation Check List: Identification and History

• Draft a medical equipment evaluation checklist that lists the piece of equipment by its full name and serial number, the name and addresses of the manufacturer and the representative's name and phone number. Include the date of purchase and note if there is a warranty on the piece pf equipment.

Check List Specifics

• Create a section of the medical evaluation check list that addresses the specifics of the particular piece of equipment. Ask the biomedical department representative to draft a list of the important functions and parts of the equipment needing routine checking, replacement or refills. Include a place on the medical equipment evaluation check list for the signature of the person who conducted the evaluation and a place for a date.

Additional Evaluation

• Draft a separate evaluation form to document any problems or equipment break downs as records of such occurrences for each piece of equipment must be kept. Include records of service calls or repairs in the file for each piece of medical equipment as part of the history and importance to the overall evaluation of the medical piece.