Are you maintaining your medical air and vacuum systems correctly? NFPA 99C requires most healthcare facilities to establish a maintenance program for medical air and vacuum systems in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations. Permanent test records are required to be maintained in the organization's files. How do you know if you are performing the scheduled maintenance according to the manufacturer's recommendations? Each medical gas equipment manufacturer should provide operation and maintenance manuals which explain what the requirements are and the frequency of those requirements for each specific system. What is the best method of maintaining your medical air and vacuum systems? Facilities may perform preventative maintenance utilizing their own personnel, or hire an outside service provider to do so. In either case, it is imperative that the manufacturer's recommendations are followed and that proper documentation of the maintenance is permanently saved in the organization's files. Preventative maintenance on medical air and vacuum systems can greatly reduce the risk of unexpected system failures. By reducing this risk, patients and facility personnel are ultimately safer. Unexpected failures incur greater expenses and put lives at risk. Patients seek out medical treatment each and every day with the expectations of being in a safe haven. It is the duty of everyone involved in maintaining these life support systems to help create that very safe haven by being proactive. By: Jay D’Agostino NITC Certified 6020 Medical Gas Inspector |
