Medical power supplies are specifically designed to work within medical environments, and as a result they adhere to much stricter safety guidelines. As massive advances have been made in medical technology, power supply units have had to adapt to be able to keep up with the market. Consequently, more research and development has gone into medical power supplies than almost any other area of the market, but the fundamental guideline of patient and operator safety is still the overriding factor. Here are five things to consider before buying medical power supplies.
Current leakage
Current leakage is an unwanted transfer of energy from one circuit to another. Within the internal workings of a power supply this can be considerable, leading to damage to the delicate electronics of the supply or even potentially leading to electrostatic discharge from the supply itself, putting both operator and patient at risk from shocks. Medical power supplies are tested to far higher levels for leakage and as a result are less prone to leakage than commercial power supply units.
Electromagnetic interference
All electronic equipment produces an electromagnetic field, particularly power supplies. This EMF can interfere with surrounding electronic equipment, which in the case of a medical environment could have disastrous consequences. Medical power supply units are designed to produce the minimum amount of electromagnetic interference through adequate shielding of the unit and cables.
Cost efficiency
In a medical institution, efficiency is paramount. By reducing overall costs, more money can be redirected to where it will do the most good – patient care. Modern medical power supplies have to reach very high standards of power efficiency through the use of power factor correction technology. This allows medical facilities to operate more equipment from medical grade power supplies and all medical power supply units must conform to strict national and international policy on power efficiency.
Legislation
Legislation surrounding the supply of equipment to the medical profession has increased considerably, tightening controls over safety and end user usage. Not only does it have to be safe for the patient, it has to be safe for the operator to use as well. Environmental standards covering emissions and susceptibility are also stringent, and purchasing medical power supplies from a company that invests in research and product development will ensure that your power supplies meet all regulatory legislation. The environmental standards in particular have helped manufacturers produce far more energy efficient machines, giving customers the opportunity to make considerable savings in energy bills and even reducing their carbon footprint – a topic that every industry should consider in the current climate.
The End User
The end user is really the most important consideration in any major purchase of medical supplies. Medical power supplies are no exception. They have to ensure the safety and well being of the patient at all times and under all conditions. The patient may also be the direct end user of the product, as the advent of patient monitoring and home care systems has meant that more long term patients are using the equipment at home to keep track of their own conditions under medical supervision. Smaller, more portable medical power supply units are becoming the norm, which also have their place within medical establishments. These more compact, energy efficient systems constitute another possible financial saving over the larger, more traditional style of power supply, and the manufacturers are constantly developing new systems which they hope will deliver an even better product to market in years to come.
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