"Periodic (6) and (12) Month Testing and Inspection" is the only way to detect serious malfunctions such as:

	LIM alarm failures
	LIM trip level calibration deviations
	inoperative remote alarms and annunciators
	failed indicating lights
	blown control power fuses
	inoperative branch circuit breakers
	Operating Room ground network deficiencies
	worn and loose receptacles

3.    We are testing our portable Biomedical and Clinical instruments and devices regularly, so why should we also test the Isolated Power Systems?

Even though your Biomedical/Clinical devices are being tested regularly, they may still develop sudden problems or electrical breakdowns during critical surgical procedures.  If a failure or breakdown should occur, for patient electrical safety, you must be sure that the Line Isolation Monitors are capable of responding to these occurrences within their design tolerances.

Plugging a tested and calibrated Biomedical or Clinical instrument into an untested and uncalibrated Isolated Power System may expose the patient to unnecessary electrical risks at a time when he or she is especially vulnerable due to invasive procedures or the presence of fluids in the vicinity.        

4.    We are outsourcing Biomedical Engineering to an outside firm, aren't we covered on the testing of our Isolated Power Systems?

Probably not.  We have spoken with, and provided support services to, a number of BioMed and Facility Management service companies around the country and we rarely find that these companies are trained, knowledgeable or properly equipped to conduct this critical testing.  The reason seems to be that the IPS systems are not like traditional, portable instruments.  The IPS systems are permanently (fixed) installed systems which are most often viewed (correctly) as part of the facility's electrical power distribution system.

5.    Would POWERSERVE partner with our other contracted outsource vendors to provide these specialized services?

Yes, we frequently partner with a variety of third-party companies who hold maintenance/service agreements with hospitals.  We understand that some hospitals and healthcare systems prefer to limit the number of vendors with whom they have direct transactions.

Simply inform your existing service provider that you need to add this critical testing to your "Utility Management Plan" and have them contact POWERSERVE for a proposal for services which will be unequaled in terms of quality and cost-effectiveness.

6.    What if our existing contracted outsource vendor says they will handle this specialized testing with their existing resources?

The first question to be asked might then be:  "Why haven't you done so in the past?"  If this service is not currently being performed, or even offered by the existing service provider, this is an indication that they are not familiar with the testing, the NFPA 99 and JCAHO requirements for the testing nor do they possess the equipment, knowledge and experience to effectively perform these critical services.

With the cost-effective approach offered by POWERSERVE, a hospital does not have to "pay the price" in money or time to allow an existing service provider to "learn on the job" or "come up to speed" in a non-core technology - this would take many years.  Partnering with POWERSERVE is clearly "the way to go".  Have them give us a call - today!

7.    What would it cost to have POWERSERVE perform our IPS testing and provide NFPA 99 and JCAHO-compliant documentation?

First, please be sure to submit a "Q² - QuickQuote" request to POWERSERVE.  Simply provide to us all of your contact information and tell us how many analog LIMs and how many digital LIMs are installed at your facility and whether you would like us to also perform receptacle tension testing in these rooms as well.

According to a July 17, 2000 article published in AHA News, an American Society for Healthcare Engineering - ASHE survey indicates that the cost to have POWERSERVE provide Annual Plan coverage on your Isolated Power Systems is less than the cost to perform annual maintenance on each portable BioMed/Clinical instrument.  ASHE reported in July, 2000 that the average cost of annual maintenance on portable devices was $235 per unit.  Again, it doesn't make sense to us that portable devices are so often plugged into power distribution systems which have not been tested themselves.  As you can see, it could not/should not be argued that cost is a factor!  And, it never should be in such critical areas as these!

8.    We never hear the IPS alarms sounding and the green "Safe" lights are always on.  Doesn't this mean that everything is OK?

Absolutely not!  A Line Isolation Monitor (LIM) may show no "visible signs" of failure, yet be completely nonfunctional under real fault conditions.  Again, the only way to determine the integrity of a LIM is to perform a full battery of fault testing on it.

9.    In the past, we have tested our IPS systems by inserting a 24K ohm resistor between each line and ground.  Isn't this adequate?  What would POWERSERVE do differently?

Inserting a "fixed resistor" between each line and ground is not adequate for testing the response of a LIM - nor is utilizing a plug-in GFCI tester!  The measured, incremental application of faults is the only way to accurately and thoroughly test LIM response and calibration.

POWERSERVE utilizes test equipment designed specifically for "full fault testing" of IPS systems.  We are, therefore, able to apply any appropriate level of resistive faults on each line individually or both lines simultaneously;  as well as a full range of capacitive faults and hybrid faults.  Additionally, we are equipped to routinely test all applicable voltage systems as well as 3-phase IPS systems.  When performing IPS Periodic Testing, we are always prepared and equipped to perform testing of the ground network in each Operating Room and perform receptacle tension testing at the same time.

10.    Our Facility Engineering/Operations Department thought the IPS systems were being tested by Biomedical Engineering; "BioMed" thought "Facilities" was handling this testing and documentation.  As a result, the testing and documentation has "slipped through the cracks".  Has this happened at other hospitals?

Indeed!  This is a common situation.  Because the IPS panels are most often located inside critical care areas and they contain electronic monitoring devices which require testing, calibration and documentation, quite often the Facility Engineering Department assumes they are incorporated into the "Medical Equipment Management Plan".  Conversely, because the IPS panels are permanently installed (non-portable) units which are hard-wired into the electrical distribution system, BioMed considers them to be outside their scope.  And, as previously stated, the "outside" BioMed service companies are not including IPS testing in their contracts.  When considering the overall hospital electrical power system it is clear that the IPS panels should be part of the "Utility System Management Plan".  (See "About IPS Systems")

It should be clearly understood that these IPS systems are supplying electrical power to appliances and machines during critical surgical/medical procedures,  They are, at the same time, monitoring for electrical safety to the patient, making their performance and calibration every bit as critical as that of traditional portable biomedical and clinical instruments.

Because of the "risk mitigation" characteristics inherent in this equipment, we believe that the Isolated Power Systems must be incorporated into the hospital's "Utility System Management Plan".  This is consistent with the intent of most other Risk Management Program components, NFPA 99, JCAHO, industry best practice and quality care.

11.    The personnel in "Surgery" tell us that alarms go off occasionally and they "just hit the Silence button" then everything is OK.  They don't know why the alarms are occurring, but they can hit the Silence or Mute button and continue with their procedure even though the "red Hazard" light is still illuminated.  They say that when they are finished with their Surgery Case the system "resets itself" and everything is fine again.  What does this mean?

It means that the LIMs are detecting potential problems during surgical procedures.  It also suggests the need for some level of training on Isolated Power Systems, or a procedural review, to understand the meaning of LIM alarms and to define how to react to them.

12.    What are some of the common functional problems discovered during POWERSERVE periodic testing and inspection?

Common problems include:

	LIMs and ground detectors failing to alarm
	LIMs and ground detectors out of calibration
	Failed indicating lights and remote alarms
	Excessive impedance in grounding network
	Mismatched components due to partial system modifications
	Worn/loose receptacles inside ORs
	Excessive leakage current in systems and branch circuits
	Blown fuses

Not only does POWERSERVE have the equipment and expertise to detect these problems, we will also provide a prompt written description of the problems and furnish a cost-effective "Corrective Action Plan".

POWERSERVE is:

	experienced - testing Isolated Power Systems since 1980.
	recognized in the industry - for technical excellence in IPS testing and support services.
	trained and certified - factory trained by prominent OEMs of IPS products.  Professional Consulting Member: ASHE - American Society For Healthcare Engineering; AHA - American Hospital Association; Member of IAEI - International Association of Electrical Inspectors.
	current and aware - of industry Codes & Standards, trends, technologies and products.
	easy to do business with - field service professionals who offer flexible services and solutions.
	equipped - with fully calibrated instruments designed specifically for this critical testing.
	connected - with OEMs and distributors of repair and retrofit products required for system repairs, upgrades and life extensions.
	responsive - to your needs.

Like many other high technology areas, the world of biomedical and clinical instrumentation continues to evolve at a rapid rate.  This rate of change can be intimidating to both internal resources as well as third party service vendors.  Consider allowing them to focus on the instrument/appliance side, while outsourcing the periodic testing of the permanently installed Isolated Power Systems to POWERSERVE.  You will, at the same time, lower your capital and labor costs, training expenses, and reduce administrative activities while ensuring compliance in this very important area of equipment and patient care.

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