Share this page on these sites
Equipment related services
Routine maintenance and quality control of Blood Gas Analysers and electrolyte machines
Routine maintenance is performed daily and any problems with the use of machines are dealt with immediately and resolved by our technical staff. The service has ensured that the hospitals obtain maximum benefit from their blood gas machines.
Quality control information is entered into an international database so that it can be compared with a large peer group. Any results which fall outside predetermined limits are reviewed: if necessary, action is taken to ensure that instruments are giving acceptable results. All instruments are enrolled in an external QA scheme (WEQAS) so that their accuracy is also checked against an external standard.
On-site calibration, quality control and standardisation on all gas and vapour analysis equipment used in theatres and intensive care
The calibration of this equipment is checked in situ regularly by the staff and in cases where there are problems the equipment is normally taken to our laboratory where the majority of errors can be rectified. If the equipment has a mechanical or electronic fault it is immediately sent to Clinical Engineering for repair.
First line maintenance of patient monitoring equipment in intensive care and theatres
The majority of the problems which arise with monitoring equipment are either user or calibration errors. These are dealt with on site by the Department staff enabling the equipment to be returned into use speedily. On occasions where there is an electronic fault the equipment is immediately sent to Clinical Engineering for repair.
Assessment of new NHS equipment prior to purchase
For example gas analysers, vaporisers etc. Detailed assessment of such equipment is made in our laboratory using the wide range of specialist equipment available.
Use and calibration of equipment being used for specialised measurements in the theatre/ITU, or in the laboratory
Areas covered include:
-
gas analysis (including advanced techniques such as gas chromatography, mass spectroscopy and interferometry)
-
electrophysiology
-
blood gas and electrolyte analysis
-
flow and volume measurement
-
pressure measurement
-
vapour analysis
-
physiological models.