Raising the standard

When it comes to compliance, testing and ensuring equipment is fit for purpose, USL Biomedical Services follows the AS/NZS 3551:2012 Management Programmes for Medical Equipment standards. These outline procedures required to develop management programmes for medical equipment and include protocols and procedures for procurement, acceptance, and maintenance activities throughout the service life of the medical equipment.

There is a legal requirement to comply with this standard under Sections 25 and 91 of the Electricity (Safety) Regulations 2010 Act, which requires any person(s) or organisation(s) that use, repair or maintain medical devices to comply with the AS/NZS 3551:2012 standards.

The AS/NZS 3551:2012 standard applies to public and private hospitals, rest homes, healthcare centres and clinics, and service entities responsible for supporting the safe use of medical equipment. The standard is applicable regardless of whether the medical equipment is owned by the responsible organisation, privately owned, on loan, on trial or donated.

Inspection, testing, preventative maintenance and repair of medical equipment should be performed by trained and skilled service technicians, familiar with the requirements of the AS/NZS 3551:2012 standard. All of our technicians are fully qualified and receive on-going training in accordance with the standard’s requirements.

Regular maintenance and servicing

The AS/NZS 3551:2012 requires medical equipment to undergo preventative maintenance in accordance with manufacturers’ specifications. Therefore, the frequency for preventative maintenance varies for different medical equipment, however, it is very common that most equipment is required to undergo at least annual preventative maintenance.

We strongly recommend that customers use our fully trained technicians to carry out equipment servicing, maintenance and repairs. This will ensure that any warranties remain valid.

For more information or to discuss preventative maintenance call: 0800 265 2186 or email: uslservice@uslmedical.co.nz