Hi all,

 

I'm trying to re-vamp our preventative maintenance/equipment function check process.  I can't seem to find the following in any of the CAP checklists (lab general, all common, or hematology/coags):

 

• How often must centrifuge timers be checked?
• How often must centrifuge rpms be checked?
• How often is it required to have microscopes PM'ed?

Wondering with what frequency the rest of you perform these.  Currently, we are checking timers and rpms quarterly and microscopes are serviced semi-annually.  Seems like it may be overkill...

In addition - what about checking the temps of waterbaths against certified thermometers?  Can't seem to find anything on that either... Also currently doing this quarterly.

We do centrifuge RPMs and timers quarterly. Thermometer checks (including water bath) annually. Microscopes every 6 months.

We're not CAP, so not sure if these agree with CAP. We are accredited by the Joint Commission and NY State Dept of Health.

Thanks, tbostock!  Always interesting to see what other people are doing.  Hoping I get some reponses from other CAP accredited labs so we can compare =)  I see you are, in fact, doing rpm and timers quarterly.  Is this a requirement by JCAHO/NY State Dept of Health - or something you just do?

We are doing same for all three.

We were doing annual pm on microscope but something changed,

Was it hematology checklist? We often get our microscope

From hematogy.

 

Thanks, tbostock!  Always interesting to see what other people are doing.  Hoping I get some reponses from other CAP accredited labs so we can compare =)  I see you are, in fact, doing rpm and timers quarterly.  Is this a requirement by JCAHO/NY State Dept of Health - or something you just do?

 

Yes, quarterly centrifuge checks are required. The JC and NYS fall in line with AABB recommendations, which are quarterly. Technical Manual 17th edition, p. 37

We do all quarterly and scopes annually. We are CAP accr

RPMS are supposed to be done on centrifuges twice a year, we use every 6 months. Timers are done quarterly, and thermometers are done semi-annually.

Thanks, MAGNUM.  Can you tell me where I can find this specific information in the CAP guidelines?  I've checked out the general, all common, and hematology/coag checklists - cannot find it.  Please help!  lol