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Did you know that the oldest surgery center in the nation began operating in 1804? By the early 1900s, the use of autoclaves alongside other sterilization methods became commonplace, leading to exponentially greater success rates. Today, a wide variety of medical equipment is required for surgical staff to perform many simple and complex procedures in surgery centers.
Surgeons have historically been at the forefront of medical advancement and continue to be held to a high standard of excellence. While the advancement of surgical technology has drastically improved overall patient outcomes, many surgery centers do not keep their medical equipment running at peak performance. An issue with your surgery center’s medical equipment adds unnecessary risk to your patients.
We want to share our list of essential medical equipment that is required to properly operate and maintain a surgery center.
Surgical Tables:
One of the most important pieces of equipment that you will need for any surgery center is a surgical table. These specialized tables can be mobile or stationary and are necessary for most surgical procedures. Many models provide the ability to adjust the height of each section, allowing surgical staff to work more ergonomically. It is important to be aware of any preventative maintenance that is needed to keep your surgical tables optimal.
Many complex medical devices require maintenance to comply with their warranties. But did you know that this applies to stretchers as well? Stretchers allow surgical staff to safely transfer patients from one surface to another and even reposition patients to provide better access to surgical sites. Stretchers are one of the most commonly used pieces of medical equipment and should be routinely maintained.
Patient Monitors:
A functioning, up-to-date patient monitor is crucial for any surgery center. These devices are used to observe and track a patient’s vital signs before, during, and after an operation. Calibration is crucial to the life and reliability of your devices. You will need to contact a certified technician to calibrate your patient monitors.
Defibrillators:
If your patient’s heart suddenly stops during an operation, a defibrillator can be the difference between life and death. Many surgery centers are not fully equipped with lifesaving devices and are not able to provide complete care for their patients. While most operations performed in surgery centers are relatively safe, surgery is never risk-free. If a patient undergoes complications during an operation, many surgery centers are unable to administer medical attention on-site and are forced to call 911. If you want to offer your patients complete care in your surgery center, be sure to have defibrillators on-site and check them regularly.
Autoclaves:
The autoclave has been used for over a century to make surgical practice considerably safer. This machine effectively sterilizes medical tools and instruments to prevent infection. Performing weekly, monthly, and annual maintenance is highly recommended to ensure that your autoclave is running smoothly.
Ventilators:
If a surgical patient requires general anesthesia, a ventilator will be needed during surgery. Some patients also require additional respiratory support after surgery so having a functioning ventilator is crucial. Not only are ventilators expensive to repair if they break, but your patients’ lives depend on them. It is important to conduct regular performance checks, cleanings, and calibrations to ensure efficacy and prevent damage.
Oximeters/Blood Pressure Cuffs:
Not only are oximeters and blood pressure cuffs helpful staples for any surgery center, but they are also necessary for anesthesiologists. Without care and proper maintenance, you may receive inaccurate readings which can lead to adverse results.
According to a study published in 2013, about one-fourth of errors that occur in the operating room are caused by equipment malfunction. The rate of surgical error was even higher for more risky procedures, such as cardiac surgery, because of the complex technology that is needed for those operations.
When you’re in the operating room, the last thing you need is for your equipment to malfunction. Thankfully, errors can be avoided by utilizing a preoperative surgical checklist that ensures the functionality and configuration of your equipment prior to an operation. You may be surprised to learn that the majority of surgery centers are not trained to utilize pre-op checklists. However, the best centers have reliable, state-of-the-art equipment and a highly trained staff that know how to manage it.
Think ahead and schedule a certified biomedical technician to perform regular, preventative maintenance on your medical equipment. Omnicor has the most highly trained technicians in the area, with over 10+ years of experience meeting industry standards. We provide surgery centers, and other health centers, in and around Syracuse with medical equipment repair and maintenance services. We know how important it is for you to focus on patient care, so if you need us at any time of the day or night, do not hesitate to reach out and we will be there for you.