Transcript IEC 60601-2-52 Fact Sheet

Fact sheet
June 2011
Issue: 1
New IEC 60601-2-52 bed standard
What is IEC?
IEC stands for International Electrotechnical Committee. It is an international
group of recognised experts who set safety standards for medical electrical
equipment.
History of IEC
1996 – IEC 60601-2-38
First edition bed standard published for electrically operated hospital beds
2000 - EN 1970
The standard was published which focused on adjustable beds for disabled
persons.
Over the last decade, a number of incidents have occurred with
patients becoming entrapped in the side rails of medical beds
2010 – IEC 60601-2-52
The new bed standard was approved by IEC and ISO members covering
homecare, nursing home and hospital beds with specific requirements. This was put in
place to ensure patient safety and essential performance of all medical beds
When is the new standard going to be enforced?
IEC and ISO members approved the new standards 1st April 2010. There is a 3 year
transition period for manufacturers to comply with the new standard which comes into
force on 1st April 2013
CUSTOMER SERVICES UK
T: 01656 776222 F: 01656 776220
E: [email protected] www.invacare.co.uk
CUSTOMER SERVICES IRELAND
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E: [email protected] www.invacare.ie
Fact sheet
June 2011
Issue: 1
New IEC 60601-2-52 bed standard
What are the key elements of the new IEC 60601-2-52 bed standard?
1.
Changes in the gaps and clearances of side rails
which have been calculated looking at percentile
adult male and female head, neck and chest
dimensions
2.
The side-rails must with-hold a high force of 250N
between the bars along with the lower bar and the bed frame
(previously 30N)
3.
Bed user manuals must specify the mattress size to reduce
the risk of a patient becoming entrapped between the
mattress and side rail
4.
Locking mechanism on the side rails to be more robust
and with stand a 30,000 cycle test (up and down)
5.
Both the safe working load (SWL) and maximum
patient weight must be visible on the bed
What can you do today?
The new Etude Plus community bed meets the new IEC 60601-2-52 bed
standard. By purchasing a bed that conforms, you can ensure your bed
stocks provide essential safety for your service users.
CUSTOMER SERVICES UK
T: 01656 776222 F: 01656 776220
E: [email protected] www.invacare.co.uk
CUSTOMER SERVICES IRELAND
T: 353 1 8107084 F: 353 1 8107085
E: [email protected] www.invacare.ie