Medical Weighing Solutions
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Patients are weighed to calculate medication dosage, diagnose illness, monitor treatment and assess nutritional status. Using "accurate" weighing perform a critical role in this process.
The Law : Medical Weighing
Medical weighing equipment is covered in Schedule 3 of the Non Automatic Weighing Instrument regulations (NAWI Directive): it is equipment used for the ‘determination of mass in the practice of medicine for weighing patients for the purpose of monitoring, diagnosis and medical treatment.’ These regulations make it a legal requirement to use equipment that is appropriately accurate.Purchasing The Right Equipment
To comply with legal requirements you cannot use just any set of scales. Scales used in the above processes must be Class III. These can be identified by a Green M sticker (see above)These products are available from us through the NHS Supply Chain, NPC Supply Codes :
TSS004, TSS005, TSS006, TSS007, TSS008, TSS009, TSS010, TSS011, TSS012, TSS013, TSS014, TSS015
NHS Supply Chain Statement (PDF)
Equipment In Use
It is a common mis-conception that because a weighing result is displayed on an electronic display (or mechanical) it must be correct. Unfortunately this is not always the case. Weighing scales are not perfect measuring instruments, they have the potential to stop weighing accurately for a variety of reasons. Also when a scale starts weighing inaccurately there is no visual warning to tell you that this is happening.This also applies to legally approved Green M sticker scales described. Therefore to ensure you are getting correct weighing results they must be checked on a regular basis against a known and trusted reference
Using Equipment Correctly
The incorrect use of medical scales can also result in inaccurate weighing results. Personnel who are weighing patients should be trained in and understand how to weigh correctly. For example the importance of weighing from a zero point, using the scale on a correct surface etc.Assessment Service
Knowing if your medical scales comply is difficult if you do not have the required understanding of the legislation and weighing technology. For a nominal charge we will carry out a survey of your scales and provide a complete inventory and short report on condition and suitability. If you take out a calibration agreement with us this charge will be refunded against the first visit.Lacors Report
Anecdotal evidence, and work done by trading standards officers in Wales, suggested there may be problems with the equipment used in medical environments like hospitals. LACORS commissioned a pilot study in South East England to explore these issues, which subsequently identified a number of problem areas. The equipment available was frequently inaccurate, inappropriate or not used correctly. In addition, quality systems around the procurement and maintenance of scales were found to be inconsistent. The consequences could have devastating effects on patient care.Contact us regarding our medical weighing solutions
By emailBy telephone : 01865 750375
