Emergency medical services close the gap between the time when a patient is injured and the time when he or she can be treated at a hospital. In that time, vital treatments can be administered that increase the patient’s chances of surviving. For this reason, EMS equipment maintenance is crucial and indispensable.

Inspection that allows for maintenance and EMS equipment repair should follow the manufacturers’ suggested guidelines and should involve the following:

• Performing recommended inspections at directed intervals
• Performing calibrations
• Servicing or replacing batteries
• Proper cleaning and disinfecting procedures
• Carrying out all required maintenance service, such as lubricating parts and testing for correct operation

Other considerations encompass being certain that all equipment is included in maintenance schedules, that courses of action have been determined in the event of equipment failure in the field, and procedures for removing equipment from routine service are in place.

These are examples of the kinds of EMS equipment that should be inspected regularly:

• Automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) and AED pads
• Pulse oximeters
• Communications equipment, including portable radios and batteries
• Stretchers and stair chairs
• Suction equipment
• Battery powered lights and rechargeable batteries
• Manual and automatic blood pressure cuffs
• Oxygen delivery systems and regulators
• Ventilators
• Infusion pumps
• Transportation and immobilization equipment
• Any other specialized equipment owned and used by the EMS provider

Maintenance records should also be kept to show that compliance was met and that every action was taken to keep equipment in good working order. These records should verify:

• When the equipment was obtained
• Who it was purchased from
• Documentation of any repairs made
• That the maintenance schedule followed the manufacturers’ recommendations for frequency and instructions for cleaning and calibration
• Each piece of equipment has its own record of inspection, maintenance, and repair activities.

Coast Biomedical Equipment can help you choose the right piece of equipment for your needs by reviewing its specifications and explaining how it should be maintained. We also provide repair services if your EMS equipment starts to malfunction. Visit our website to learn more.