Q: Has anybody attended a TechNation Webinar Wednesday?
A: The TechNation webinars are one of the most effective mediums for healthcare technology management personnel to learn and grow in the field. The investment of MD Publishing in our career field is something to be recognized. Additionally, if you are a certified professional by the AAMI Credentials Institute (ACI – CBET, CRES, CLES and CHTM) and you do not attend these free webinars, then shame on you! These webinars are an opportunity for you to earn continuing education credits for your journal that is required to maintain your certification every three years. It is easy and it is no cost to you, you cannot lose.
A: I have attended a bunch of them. Most likely it will be a presentation from a biomed test equipment vendor steering you towards that company’s products. However, they are generally informative.
A: The webinars have been one of the best sources for information I have had in a long time.
A: The webinars are beneficial. The presenters have been well prepared and the material relevant. Some apprehensions about the motive of the presenter, i.e. presenting just to sell the product they market, have really not been founded. There have been “nuggets” out of each presentation that provide value regardless of if you own or purchase the product that is represented by the presenter.
A: I have attended a few Wednesday Webinars and have been glad they exist, there is always something to be learned. It can’t be any easier … nowhere to drive to, no price for administration, and no bad seats in the house. You choose if you want to join that week’s topic. How can you go wrong?
Q: What kind of testing do you do on electrical outlets in the patient care areas, non-isolation systems only?
A: According to NFPA 99
6.3.3.2.1 The physical integrity of each receptacle shall be confirmed by visual inspection.
6.3.3.2.2. The continuity of the grounding circuit in each electrical receptacle shall be verified.
6.3.3.2.3. Correct polarity of the hot and neutral connections in each receptacle shall be confirmed.
6.3.3.2.4 The retention force of the grounding blade of each electrical receptacle (except locking-type receptacles) shall be not less than 115g (4 ounces.)
A: I read the same but it was unclear on what frequency, annually, bi-annual, etc. My interpretation was that the inspections described were upon installation. Have you discovered any frequencies for the test? I remember in the old days with flammable anesthetics, there were very specific tests to be done on an annual basis.
A: According to NFPA 99
6.3.4.1.1 Where hospital-grade receptacles are required at patient care bed locations and in locations where deep sedation or general anesthesia is administered, testing shall be performed after initial installation, replacement, or servicing of the device
6.3.4.1.2 Additional testing of the receptacles in patient care spaces shall be performed at intervals defined by documented performance data
6.3.4.1.3 Receptacles not listed as hospital-grade, at patient bed locations and in locations where deep sedation or general anesthesia is administered, shall be tested at intervals not exceeding 12 months.
My interpretation of these requirements would be that inspections should be completed at least annually and shorter intervals if the documented data collected by biomed/maintenance (inspecting department) warrants it.
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