Why do we need to check the emergency equipment?

Why do we need to check the emergency equipment?

Many of my customers are dental and medical practices and they all check the emergency equipment on a weekly basis, these checks are carried out to ensure all the equipment is present and in date.  I tend to find it falls to one or two people to do the regular checks, however, it’s important to remember that we check for various reasons not simply to check it’s all present and in date.

Checking the equipment also creates familiarity and this familiarity is important if there is an emergency as it will enable all team members to feel confident when finding and using the equipment.

Do you know where your kit is and how to use it all?

I’ve actually been prompted to write this blog following a visit where the group were unsure where the defib was.  I was given the simple answer ‘it’s in that cupboard’ but in this case it didn’t work because there were different bags with different items in.  Plus simply knowing where the emergency equipment is doesn’t necessarily mean that someone knows how to use it.  Take oxygen for example, knowing which cupboard it’s in doesn’t tell me how to connect it and turn it on.

The checking of equipment is important but so is the familiarity, would it be possible to rotate and share the job?  This would increase everyone’s familiarity with the equipment not just those one or two key individuals.  If that isn’t feasible there is nothing to stop anyone going and having a look through the emergency equipment to familiarise themselves.

I often recommend that staff take it upon themselves to ensure they are familiar with their emergency equipment but I’m aware that doesn’t always happen.  This is about how you would want to feel if there was an emergency and if you’re unsure of how to use the equipment it can add an unnecessary stress to an already stressful situation.

My advice…

Therefore my advice is either to volunteer to be involved in the checking of equipment or put it in your calendar to remind you that you need to go and have a look and remind yourself of how to use it all.  Don’t be the person who walks away from an emergency wishing you’d looked at it beforehand.

Key things to think about:-

• Where is everything kept? Including emergency medication, AED, oxygen, suction and glucometer
• Do I know what it’s all called?
• How do I use it all?  Get hands on with it
• What are the drug dosages?  Is that information with it?

Go on check it today, you’ll be glad you did!

Any questions or comments feel free to post below or get in touch.