AS/NZS 2500:2004

1 - AS/NZS 2500:2004 GUIDE TO THE SAFE USE OF ELECTRICITY IN PATIENT CARE
4 - PREFACE
6 - CONTENTS
8 - FOREWORD
9 - SECTION 1 SCOPE AND GENERAL
9 - 1.1 SCOPE
9 - 1.2 APPLICATION
9 - 1.2.1 Establishments
9 - 1.2.2 Personnel
10 - 1.3 REFERENCED DOCUMENTS
10 - 1.4 DEFINITIONS
10 - 1.4.1 Applied part
10 - 1.4.2 Patient environment
11 - 1.4.3 Patient location
11 - 1.4.4 Patient area
12 - SECTION 2 NATURE OF ELECTRICITY
12 - 2.1 NEED FOR CARE
12 - 2.2 SUPPLY SYSTEMS
12 - 2.3 FUNCTION OF FUSES AND CIRCUIT-BREAKERS
14 - 2.4 SOCKET-OUTLETS
15 - 2.5 BASIC EQUIPMENT SAFETY
15 - 2.5.1 Forms of construction
17 - 2.5.2 Classification of applied parts
17 - 2.6 LEAKAGE CURRENT
18 - SECTION 3 NATURE OF HAZARDS
18 - 3.1 GENERAL
18 - 3.2 ELECTRIC SHOCK
18 - 3.2.1 Causes of electric shock
19 - 3.2.2 Contributing factors
19 - 3.2.3 Levels of susceptibility to electric shock
21 - 3.3 THERMAL HAZARDS
21 - 3.3.1 General
21 - 3.3.2 Electric burns
21 - 3.3.3 Thermal burns
21 - 3.3.4 Temperature of infused fluids
22 - 3.3.5 Fire and explosion
22 - 3.4 RADIANT ENERGY
22 - 3.4.1 General
22 - 3.4.2 Ultrasonic energy
22 - 3.4.3 Laser radiation
23 - 3.5 ELECTROMAGNETIC INTERFERENCE
23 - 3.6 ELECTROSTATIC HAZARDS
23 - 3.7 LOSS OF ELECTRICAL POWER
24 - SECTION 4 COMPATIBILITY OF MEDICAL PROCEDURE, EQUIPMENT AND PATIENT AREAS
24 - 4.1 SAFETY TRIANGLE
24 - 4.2 MEDICAL PROCEDURES
24 - 4.2.1 General
24 - 4.2.2 Inadvertent contact with live conductors
25 - 4.2.3 Body-type procedure-applied parts not involving the heart
25 - 4.2.4 Cardiac-type procedure-applied parts involving the heart
25 - 4.3 ELECTRICAL WIRING AND PROTECTION OF patient areas
25 - 4.3.1 Protection levels
27 - 4.3.2 Components of protective wiring system
28 - 4.4 APPLIED PARTS OF MEDICAL ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
28 - 4.4.1 Classification
28 - 4.4.2 Protection in fault conditions
29 - 4.4.3 Type B applied parts
29 - 4.5 FLOWCHART (SUMMARY) FOR THE SAFE APPLICATION AND USE OF MEDICAL ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
29 - 4.6 USE OF SOCKET-OUTLETS IN CARDIAC-PROTECTED patient areas
29 - 4.7 TEMPORARY ARRANGEMENTS FOR UNDERTAKING CARDIAC TYPE PROCEDURES
30 - 4.8 HOME DIALYSIS
31 - SECTION 5 ADMINISTRATION
31 - 5.1 RESPONSIBILITY
31 - 5.2 RECOGNITION AND LOCATION OF PATIENTS RENDERED ELECTRICALLY SUSCEPTIBLE
31 - 5.2.1 General
31 - 5.2.2 Design of patient areas
31 - 5.2.3 Design of equipment
31 - 5.3 TRAINING
32 - 5.4 DOCUMENTATION
32 - 5.5 MEDICAL ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
32 - 5.5.1 Purchase of equipment
32 - 5.5.2 Demonstration equipment
32 - 5.5.3 Operator instructions
32 - 5.5.4 Life-supporting equipment
32 - 5.5.5 Mains power supply failure
32 - 5.5.6 Back-up equipment
33 - 5.6 MAINTENANCE OF MEDICAL ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT AND PATIENT AREAS
33 - 5.6.1 Equipment maintenance
33 - 5.6.2 Maintenance of electrical systems of patient areas
33 - 5.6.3 Maintenance of distribution equipment and switchboards
33 - 5.7 NON-MEDICAL ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
33 - 5.7.1 General
34 - 5.7.2 Cleaning equipment
34 - 5.7.3 Entertainment equipment
34 - 5.7.4 Patient-comfort equipment
34 - 5.7.5 Cosmetic equipment
34 - 5.7.6 Patient-supplied equipment
35 - 5.7.7 Mobile communications
35 - 5.8 FAULT REPORTING
35 - 5.8.1 General
35 - 5.8.2 Fault tags
36 - 5.8.3 Incident reports
36 - 5.8.4 Equipment reports
36 - 5.8.5 Modification of equipment
38 - SECTION 6 GENERAL USER PRACTICES
38 - 6.1 GENERAL
38 - 6.2 RESPONSIBILITY
38 - 6.3 USER OBSERVATION AND CHECKS-BEFORE USE
38 - 6.4 PRECAUTIONS TO BE OBSERVED DURING USE
39 - 6.5 USER PRECAUTIONS/PRACTICES TO BE OBSERVED AFTER USE
39 - 6.6 ADDITIONAL PRECAUTIONS TO BE OBSERVED IN THE USE OF HIGH-ENERGY APPARATUS
40 - 6.7 FLEXIBLE CORDS AND PLUGS
40 - 6.7.1 Inspections
40 - 6.7.2 Correct wiring
40 - 6.7.3 Faulty cords and plugs
41 - 6.8 DOUBLE ADAPTORS AND EXTENSION CORDS
41 - 6.9 MEDICAL SYSTEMS
42 - 6.10 APPLIED PART ADAPTORS AND ATTACHMENTS
42 - 6.11 PROTECTIVE DEVICES IN PATIENT AREAS
42 - 6.11.1 Introduction
42 - 6.11.2 RCD protected supply
43 - 6.11.3 Isolated supply
43 - 6.12 GUIDE TO THE USE AND REUSE OF STERILE DEVICES
47 - APPENDIX A - SUPPLEMENTARY EARTHING CONDUCTORS
47 - A1 INTRODUCTION
47 - A2 CONSTRUCTION AND PERFORMANCE
47 - A2.1 Insulation
47 - A2.2 Termination
48 - APPENDIX B - USE OF TEMPORARY TRANSVENOUS CARDIAC PACEMAKERS
48 - B1 GENERAL
48 - B2 EQUIPMENT
48 - B3 PROCEDURE
48 - B4 PATIENT SAFETY
48 - B4.1 Exposure to risk
48 - B4.2 Monitoring equipment
48 - B4.3 Pacing catheter terminals
49 - B4.4 Adaptors and extenders
49 - B4.5 Battery replacement
49 - B4.6 Use during defibrillation
49 - B5 CESSATION OF TEMPORARY PACING
50 - APPENDIX C - CONTACT INFORMATION FOR MEDICAL DEVICE INCIDENCE REPORTING
51 - APPENDIX D - USE OF CARDIAC D.C. DEFIBRILLATORS
51 - D1 GENERAL
51 - D1.1 Fibrillation
51 - D1.2 Types of defibrillators
51 - D1.3 Efficacy
51 - D1.4 Hazards
51 - D1.5 Performance and maintenance
51 - D2 MANUAL DEFIBRILLATORS
51 - D2.1 Use
52 - D2.2 Energy Settings
52 - D2.3 Electrodes
52 - D2.4 Application
52 - D2.5 Discharge of the Pulse
53 - D2.6 Particular Hazards
53 - D2.7 Use of Other Medical Electrical Equipment on the Patient during Defibrillation
53 - D2.8 Operation and Performance Checks
53 - D3 AUTOMATIC EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATORS (AEDs)
53 - D3.1 Use
53 - D3.2 Energy Settings
54 - D3.3 Electrodes and Application
54 - D3.4 Discharge of the Pulse
54 - D3.5 Hazards
54 - D4 OPERATION AND PERFORMANCE CHECKS
55 - APPENDIX E - GUIDELINES FOR THE USE OF ELECTROSURGICAL EQUIPMENT
55 - E1 INTRODUCTION
55 - E1.1 General
55 - E1.2 Electrosurgery
57 - E1.3 Nature of risks
58 - E1.4 Equipment
58 - E2 ELECTROSURGICAL SYSTEMS
58 - E2.1 Electrosurgical generator
58 - E2.2 Active electrode
58 - E2.3 Bipolar electrodes
59 - E2.4 Dispersive electrode
59 - E2.5 Safety monitor circuit
59 - E2.6 Specialized accessories
59 - E3 NATURE AND AVOIDANCE OF HAZARDS
59 - E3.1 Types of hazards
60 - E3.2 High-frequency injury-Burns
65 - E3.3 Monitoring the connection of the dispersive electrode
66 - E3.4 Types of Applied Part safety monitors
67 - E3.5 Other risks
68 - APPENDIX F - GUIDELINES FOR THE USE OF ELECTRICITY OPERATED PHYSICAL THERAPY EQUIPMENT
68 - F1 INTRODUCTION
68 - F2 GENERAL PRECAUTIONS
68 - F3 DEVICES DELIVERING MECHANICAL FORCES
69 - F4 DEVICES DELIVERING ELECTRICAL ENERGY
69 - F4.1 General
69 - F4.2 Precautions against cardiac stimulation
69 - F4.3 Unwanted stimulation and burns
70 - F5 ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
70 - F5.1 Low-frequency magnetic fields
70 - F5.2 Shortwave therapy
71 - F5.3 Microwave therapy
71 - F5.4 Infra-red radiation
72 - F5.5 Visible wavelengths
72 - F5.6 Ultraviolet radiation
72 - F6 ACOUSTIC ENERGY (ULTRASOUND)
72 - F6.1 General
72 - F6.2 Precautions
73 - APPENDIX G - STERILIZATION AND DISINFECTION OF ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
73 - G1 OUTLINE OF METHODS OF STERILIZATION AND DISINFECTION
73 - G1.1 Sterilization
73 - G1.2 Disinfection
74 - G2 HAZARDS
74 - G2.1 Nature of Hazards
74 - G2.2 Adverse effects of sterilization
74 - G3 GUIDE TO SELECTION OF STERILIZATION AND DISINFECTION METHODS FOR EQUIPMENT
76 - APPENDIX H - INDEX OF TERMS USED IN THIS STANDARD

Provides a guide to the safe use and application of electricity operated equipment used in health care. In addition to providing protection against electric shock to patients and staff, provision to safeguard against hazards such as thermal, radiant and mechanical, are also included. Measures required to provide and maintain patient and operator safety, including specification of the class of equipment and electrical installation to be employed for particular medical procedures, are also included.

This Standard provides a guide to the safe use and application of electrically operated equipment used in health care.Although the Standard is concerned primarily with the electric shock hazard to patients and staff, provisions to safeguard against other hazards, e.g. thermal, radiant or mechanical, are included.Measures required to provide and maintain patient and operator safety, including specification of the class of equipment and electrical installation to be employed for particular medical procedures, are also included. Separate sets of guidelines are included as appendices for certain specific types of equipment where particular methods or potential hazards are recognized. NOTE: Appendices are limited to equipment in common use by the broad spectrum of people in the health care industry.

First published as AS 2500-1982.
Second edition 1986.
Jointly revised and designated as AS/NZS 2500:1995.
Fourth edition 2004.