Training for equipment maintenance and repair

Training equipment users The primary responsibility for the care and maintenance of equipment rests with the user. Users should understand how their equipment works, what its limitations are, and what it can and cannot do. All of these are usually well described in the user manual that is supplied by the equipment manufacturer or supplier. It is important that users read and understand the user manual and keep it in a safe place. In situations where surgeons or clinicians work under extreme time pressure, they may not be able to pay sufficient attention to the care and maintenance of the equipment they use. In this case, nursing staff and patient attendants can be trained in basic preventative maintenance and care. However, surgeons and clinicians must still be trained to use equipment properly and safely; they are also responsible for reporting faults and should be included in discussions about maintenance and repair. Users should be trained to do the following preventative maintenance tasks on a regular basis (check the manufacturer’s guide or user manual for details):