Autoclaves are a hazard because they use electricity and water together. Manufacturers require electrical safety testing, adjustments, cleaning, internal inspections and testing annually. Testing and maintaining this type of medical equipment could prevent a malpractice claim against your practice. For example, if your Autoclave is not reaching temperature or pressure and your instruments are not being sterilized correctly, a patient could develop a bacterial infection. This is why NFPA 99 for health care facilities was established, to ensure safety and compliance within the medical work place.

EKG'S are an electrical hazard because they connect directly to a patient's chest. The Manufacturers and NFPA 99 require annual testing and evaluation.

Any medical equipment instrument requiring an electrical connection has to be tested annually to meet NFPA 99 safety requirements.

NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) has developed codes and standards for Hospitals and Physician facilities. Throughout the New England area, NFPA 99 has been accepted by their State Fire Marshall along with CAP, CLIA and JCAHO as guidelines for annual testing and evaluation of medical equipment for patient and staff safety.

Throughout the United States, almost all individual states have accepted these codes and standards to be their guidelines for annual medical equipment evaluation and testing due to the high cost of liability and malpractice insurance.

Bio-Medical equipment repair facilities use these codes and standards for testing and evaluating new equipment, repairs, electrical safety testing, performance/preventative maintenance, and manufacturers’ requirements to ensure medical equipment accuracy and safety.