Medical equipment calibration is one of the main methods of maintaining health care equipment’s accuracy, performance, and availability. In case of the UAE healthcare facilities (hospitals, clinics, diagnostic centers, laboratories, radiology departments), it will provide equipment performance, documentation, and preventive maintenance.
For biomedical engineers, operations managers, and quality managers of healthcare facilities, medical equipment calibration checklist can assist in reducing missed schedules, equipment tracking, and safe operations.

Why Medical Equipment Calibration Is Important?

The performance of the medical equipment can be changed in time because of its frequent usage, transportation, maintenance, environmental impacts, or component wear. Thus, calibration provides an opportunity to make sure about its proper operation.
It is especially important for such devices as those used in monitoring, diagnostics, imaging, measuring, and treatment.

Medical Equipment Calibration Checklist:

1. Prepare Equipment Inventory

First, prepare a list of equipment that may require calibration or performance verification.
Your inventory must include:
• Equipment name
• Brand and model
• Serial number
• Department
• Location
• Last calibration date
• Next due date
• Service status
• Responsible person or department

It will allow you to monitor which equipment must be calibrated, needs immediate calibration or recently was calibrated.

2. Define Critical Equipment

All equipment is not equally dangerous in terms of operations. Thus, high priority equipment must be checked first.
Such devices may include:

• Patient monitors
• Defibrillators
• ECG machines
• Infusion pumps
• Electrosurgical units
• Laboratory devices
• Radiology equipment
• ICU and OT equipment
• Diagnostics systems

The prioritization will help biomedical teams to start with equipment which has the biggest impact on daily operations.

3. Prepare Calibration Schedule

Each facility must have the calibration schedule. The frequency will depend on manufacturers’ recommendations, equipment usage, internal policy, equipment type and other factors.
Your schedule must contain:

• Equipment due this month
• Overdue equipment
• Completed calibration
• Equipment under service
• Next due dates
• Further actions

Monthly schedule will help to avoid missing of calibration.

4. Keep Required Documentation

Calibration must be properly documented. Without documentation, it would be difficult to confirm that equipment was checked and what was done.
Thus, useful documentation may include:

• Date of calibration
• Equipment data
• Test results
• Pass/fail status
• Required corrective action
• Details of the technician or service provider
• Date of next due
• Service report/certificate if necessary

Proper documentation will allow for quality assurance, equipment asset management, and preventive maintenance planning.

5. Review Equipment After Calibration

After calibration, the equipment must be reviewed prior to its further use.
This procedure may consist of:

• Conducting the test to check whether the device works
• Updating labels/records
• Updating next due date
• Informing the department about the calibration
• Saving the calibration report
• Reviewing if there is a need for further service

These steps will help to avoid misunderstanding and to ensure that equipment is ready to use.

Indicators of the Need for Calibration

It is necessary to conduct calibration not only based on schedule. In some cases, it can be necessary to check equipment earlier.
Such indicators are:

• Suspicious readings
• User complaints
• Errors or alarms
• Quality tests failed
• Recently repaired
• Recently moved
• Physical damages or impacts
• Long-term lack of use

If these signs appear, it is recommended to perform calibration of the equipment prior to further usage.

 How Ultravision Can Assist You

Ultravision Medical Equipment Trading LLC can help healthcare facilities of the UAE with medical equipment calibration, preventive maintenance, radiology service, ultrasound service, technical support, application training and equipment service planning.
Ultravision can assist healthcare facilities to organize service requirements, to review equipment performance, and to maintain proper documentation.

Conclusion

Thus, medical equipment calibration is one of the most significant elements of the health care equipment management. Proper checklist allows for staying organized and avoiding risks related to the equipment operation.
In case of the UAE health care facilities, the best way of organization is to maintain updated inventory, to define critical equipment, to have proper schedule, to document everything and to cooperate with professional technical service provider.
In order to review your calibration requirements, please contact Ultravision or schedule a service inquiry.