How to inspect measuring instruments as medical equipment at primary health care facilities?

In medical examination and treatment at commune health stations, measuring instruments such as blood pressure monitors, thermometers, health scales, spring scales, etc. play an essential role in collecting basic biomedical indicators, which are the basis for doctors and medical staff to assess the initial health status of patients, thereby making appropriate diagnoses and indications. The proper management and use of measuring instruments contribute to ensuring the quality of medical examination and treatment.

Based on the survey on the current status of management and use of group 2 measuring instruments at 142 commune health stations in the province conducted by the Center for Technical Standards, Measurement and Quality (Department of Science and Technology) in 2025, it shows that commune health stations are using a number of common measuring instruments in medical examination and treatment such as: Blood pressure meter, thermometer, health scale...   However, most measuring devices are medical devices that have been used for many years and have not been replaced or periodically maintained. Some devices are broken and cannot be used.

Nearly 100% of commune health stations have not yet conducted periodic inspection and calibration of measuring instruments in use. The management and use of measuring instruments are mainly based on the senses and experience of medical staff. Only 1/142 commune health stations have conducted inspection of a measuring instrument in use, which is a health scale, while other measuring instruments have not been inspected. 99.3% of commune health stations have not conducted control of measuring instruments by establishing a monitoring book, regularly recording the inspection, calibration, and periodic maintenance of measuring instruments under their management. 0.7% of commune health stations have developed a maintenance plan for measuring instruments. Nearly 100% of commune health stations do not have calibration and inspection certificates for measuring instruments used in medical examination and treatment...

Inspection and calibration of measuring instruments which are medical equipment of Minh Tan Commune Health Station (Phu Cu)

The above information shows that the management and use of measuring instruments at commune health stations still face many difficulties and shortcomings, thereby affecting the quality of diagnosis and the effectiveness of treatment for patients. Legally, there are many documents stipulating the responsibilities and requirements for quality control of group 2 measuring instruments used in healthcare. However, due to the lack of mandatory regulations and most commune health station staff have not been exposed to and disseminated regulations on inspection and calibration of measuring instruments, this has led to confusion in management, lack of implementation orientation and made it difficult for commune health stations to access inspection services from qualified units.

In order to improve the quality and efficiency of using measuring instruments as medical equipment at the grassroots health care level to serve the initial medical examination and treatment for the people, in 2025, the Department of Science and Technology assigned the Technical Center for Standards, Metrology and Quality to perform the task of "Building a model to propagate measurement assurance in medical examination and treatment activities at a number of medical stations in Hung Yen province".

Through surveying the current situation of commune health stations in the province, officers and civil servants of the Technical Center for Standards, Metrology and Quality disseminated knowledge and regulations on management and use of measuring instruments in general and measuring instruments as medical equipment in particular.

Along with that, the center supports the construction of a measurement assurance model in medical examination and treatment activities at 47 commune health stations. Health stations participating in the model are supported in the inspection and calibration of measuring instruments; building a monitoring book, regularly recording the inspection, calibration and periodic maintenance of measuring instruments managed by their units.

Comrade Nguyen Tien Dat, Deputy Director of the Center for Technical Standards, Measurement and Quality, said: Measuring instruments commonly used at commune health stations are periodically inspected every 6-12 months. However, due to lack of adequate knowledge, most commune health stations have not properly and fully implemented regulations on management and use of group 2 measuring instruments. This can lead to measurement errors that affect diagnosis and treatment.

The accuracy of medical equipment is one of the important factors determining the effectiveness and quality of medical work, actively supporting doctors in diagnosing and treating patients accurately, quickly, safely and effectively...

Mai Nhung

Source: https://baohungyen.vn/kiem-dinh-phuong-tien-do-la-thiet-bi-y-te-tai-tuyen-y-te-co-so-nhu-the-nao-3182032.html