CHS223.2014 Fit healthcare equipment, medical devices, or products to meet individuals' clinical needs

Overview

This standard relates to working with individuals, relevant others and members of a multi-disciplinary team, as appropriate, to fit equipment, medical devices and products to meet the clinical and user's needs. Fitting involves handing over and checking the fit of the equipment or device meets the needs of the individual or their circumstances in accordance with the manufacturer's instruction and the prescription. This may take place in a variety of clinical and non-clinical settings. The process may include a trial use of the equipment and/or device in the user environment. Users of this standard will need to ensure that practice reflects up to date information and policies. Version No 2

Knowledge and Understanding

You will need to know and understand:

1. the current national legislation, guidelines, local policies and protocols which affect your work practice
2. the policies and guidance that clarify your scope of practice, accountabilities and the working relationship between yourself and others
3. your own level of competence, authority and specialist knowledge base
4. the importance of reflecting on your practice and its relationship with continuing professional development
5. how to work effectively as a member of a multi-disciplinary team
6. how to communicate effectively in the appropriate manner to meet the individual's needs and preferences
7. how to liaise with key stakeholders and the user for fitting equipment, medical devices and products relevant to your work practice
8. the relevant anatomy, physiology and associated specialist knowledge applicable to the fitting of prescribed equipment, medical device, product and/or associated systems within your area of practice
9. the range, underpinning principles and applications of the equipment, medical devices, products and associated systems requiring fitting to the individual within your area of responsibility
10. the acceptable range of measurements and limits of use for each type of equipment, device, product and the associated systems to ensure safety and fitness for use prior to fitting and where to seek advice when this is outside your level of responsibility
11. the importance of fitting equipment, medical devices, products and associated systems with the individual within the appropriate environment and how to evaluate the user environment when applicable, for the fitting process
12. how to fit and make minor adjustments to ensure best fit and comfort for the equipment, medical devices, products and associated systems to meet individual needs and the prescription criteria
13. the importance of handover procedures and of informing users and relevant others in their responsibilities for the equipment, devices, products and associated systems
14. the types of information that should be documented and the importance of doing this accurately, completely, legibly in a required format with the appropriate level of detail for the target audience
15. the wider clinical implications of changes made in alignment, fit and functionality

Performance Criteria

You must be able to do the following:

1. work within your level of competence, responsibility and accountability
2. liaise and work with key stakeholders, individuals or agencies involved in the fitting process for the individual
3. apply appropriate health and safety measures, infection prevention and control and personal protective equipment within the fitting process
4. confirm the effective operation and safe working order of the equipment, device, product and associated system within expected performance parameters
5. communicate effectively in the appropriate medium to meet the individuals needs and preferences when explaining the purpose and use of their prescribed item
6. fit the equipment or attach the device or product to the individual and activate where necessary
7. check operational safety and performance measurements
8. confirm the suitability of fit and size of the equipment, device, product and associated system
9. check the comfort and acceptance of the device or product and ensure it meets the individuals needs and clinical requirements
10. where adjustments are required to obtain best fit or comfort, obtain relevant measurements and other data and make adjustments in line with manufacturer's guidelines and within the prescribed specification or arrange for the adaptation to be undertaken by the appropriate person
11. when required, restrict device functions for initial or trial periods to enable the individual's familiarity and to ensure safety; agree relevant trial and review periods to develop its full functionality
12. document and report the process and outcomes of fitting and any minor adjustments, ensuring that any arrangements for further action are implemented
13. handover the item to the user or relevant others and clearly explain their responsibilities and the mechanisms for detecting and reporting any system failure in line with legislation and organisational requirements
14. confirm that individual and/or relevant others have all relevant documentation and inform them of the mechanisms for on-going maintenance management and review
15. maintain full, accurate and legible records of information and store in correct location in line with current legislation, guidelines, local policies and protocols

Additional Information

This National Occupational Standard was developed by Skills for Health.This standard links with the following dimension within the NHS Knowledge and Skills Framework (October 2004): Dimension: HWB7 Interventions and treatments