Training activity information
Details
Plan, perform, analyse and report on electrical safety, essential performance and calibration of a range of general medical devices
Type
Developmental training activity (DTA)
Evidence requirements
Evidence the activity has been undertaken by the trainee.
Reflection on the activity at one or more time points after the event including learning from the activity and/or areas of the trainees practice for development.
An action plan to implement learning and/or to address skills or knowledge gaps identified.
Considerations
- Clinical use of the device
- Technical function of the device
- Essential function of the device
- Regulations and legislation
- Standards for electrical safety and basic performance
- Guidance for expected features, performance, testing and calibration of devices that perform particular clinical functions
Reflective practice guidance
The guidance below is provided to support reflection at different time points, providing you with questions to aid you to reflect for this training activity. They are provided for guidance and should not be considered as a mandatory checklist. Trainees should not be expected to provide answers to each of the guidance questions listed.
Before action
- What are the key principles of electrical safety, essential performance testing, and calibration for general medical devices?
- What procedures and standards need to be followed?
- How do you analyse the results of these tests and generate a comprehensive report?
- What specific technical skills do you hope to develop in relation to medical device testing?
- What insights do you expect to gain about the practical application of safety and performance standards?
- What prior knowledge do you have about electrical engineering, measurement, or medical device technology?
- How will you familiarise yourself with the relevant testing procedures and equipment?
- What safety precautions do you need to take?
- How will you plan the sequence of your testing?
- What data will you need to collect and how will you analyse it?
- What are the key elements of a good test report?
- What potential challenges might you encounter during testing or analysis, and how will you prepare for them?
- How do you feel about performing these technical assessments?
In action
- During the planning and performance of the tests, what specific procedures are you following and why?
- As you obtain the results, how are you interpreting them in real-time? Are there any readings that require further investigation?
- What adjustments are you making to your testing approach if you encounter unexpected results or equipment issues?
On action
- Summarise the devices you tested, the tests you performed, your findings, and how you reported them.
- What did you learn about planning, performing, analysing, and reporting on electrical safety, essential performance, and calibration?
- Did you improve your ability to identify and assess the essential performance and basic safety of healthcare technology?
- Were there any unexpected results or challenges during the testing?
- What did you learn from how you addressed these?
- How did you adjust your testing procedures or analysis based on the observations (reflection-in-action)?
- How does this activity relate to ensuring the essential performance and basic safety of healthcare technology?
- What specific skills or knowledge related to medical device testing do you need to develop further?
- How will you apply this learning in future testing and calibration activities?
- What are your next steps in understanding the technical aspects of medical device safety and performance?
- What resources (e.g., testing standards, equipment manuals) would be helpful?
Beyond action
- Have you performed other electrical safety, essential performance, or calibration tests since this DTA?
- How has your understanding of the relevant standards, testing procedures, and interpretation of results evolved?
- Have you compared your initial testing and analysis with more recent experiences or with the work of colleagues?
- How has this experience influenced your approach to ensuring the safety and performance of medical devices?
- Have you applied the skills of planning, performing tests, data analysis, and report writing in other technical activities?
- Has your appreciation for the importance of routine testing and calibration in maintaining device safety and efficacy changed?
- What technical skills related to device testing and analysis did you develop that will be valuable in future roles involving equipment management or quality assurance?
- How has this experience shaped your understanding of the essential performance and basic safety requirements for healthcare technology?
- What actions will you take to further develop your expertise in medical device testing, perhaps by specialising in certain types of equipment or undertaking advanced training?
Relevant learning outcomes
| # | Outcome |
|---|---|
| # 4 |
Outcome
Appraise and apply legislative frameworks for healthcare technology management. |
| # 5 |
Outcome
Practice in accordance with organisational policy for healthcare technology management. |
| # 8 |
Outcome
Identify and assess the essential performance and basic safety of healthcare technology. |