What is a PM?

PM is a broad term for Preventive Paintenance that refers to scheduled work intended to help medical equipment operate safely, accurately, and reliably. Depending on the equipment, a PM may include a performance inspection, an electrical safety test, maintenance recommended by the manufacturer, or a combination of these activities.

Why Is PM Important?

Medical equipment needs to perform as expected to support patients and healthcare providers. PM gives a facility a planned opportunity to identify developing problems before they affect performance or create a safety concern.

During a PM, a technician checks whether the equipment is working as intended, verifies that measurements or outputs fall within acceptable limits, and looks for signs of wear or damage. Depending on the equipment, the technician may also clean it, replace worn parts, update components, or perform manufacturer-recommended service.

Regular PM can help:

·    Reduce unexpected equipment failures and downtime

·    Identify inaccurate readings or outputs

·    Detect electrical and other safety concerns

·    Help extend the useful life of equipment

·    Support applicable organizational, regulatory, accreditation, and manufacturer requirements

·    Give staff greater confidence that equipment is ready to use

PM does not guarantee that equipment will never fail. It does, however, provide a consistent way to identify and address many problems before they become more serious.

Performance Inspection

A performance inspection evaluates whether equipment is operating within its expected range.

For diagnostic equipment, such as a vital signs monitor, a biomedical technician may use a calibrated input—for example, a pulse-oximetry signal from a pulse oximeter simulator. The technician checks the monitor’s readings at different levels, compares them with the specified tolerances, and records the results.

For therapeutic equipment, such as a defibrillator, the technician measures outputs such as delivered defibrillation energy and compares the results with the expected range.

The number of parameters tested depends on the equipment type and model. A pulse oximeter may have only a few parameters to evaluate, such as oxygen saturation and heart rate. A defibrillator or ventilator may require many more.

Electrical Safety Test

An electrical safety test (EST) uses specialized test equipment to evaluate conditions that could create an electrical hazard. Depending on the equipment and applicable requirements, testing may include:

·    Protective-earth or ground impedance

·    Leakage current

·    Insulation or other aspects of electrical integrity

·    Visual inspection of the power cord, plug, enclosure, and other components

These checks can help identify electrical faults that could pose a risk to a patient, operator, or anyone else who comes into contact with the equipment.

Other PM Activities

Some equipment requires additional maintenance, such as replacing, cleaning, or lubricating components. For example, a ventilator may require an air filter or blower to be replaced based on a maintenance schedule, usage hours, or the manufacturer’s recommendations.

The specific PM tasks depend on the equipment type and model, how it is used, and the manufacturer’s instructions. Not every device needs the same tests or maintenance.

What PM Does My Equipment Need?

The appropriate PM depends on the device, its intended use, the manufacturer’s recommendations, your facility’s risk-based maintenance process, and any applicable accreditation or regulatory requirements.

For help thinking through whether a device should be on a PM schedule, see “Does This Equipment Need a PM?”