Everyday EKGs are being performed to help doctors assess their patients’ health and well-being. This test has become commonplace and an important tool for a physician’s tool belt.

The most important thing for making sure patients can get this test done is ensuring that the EKG machine is always working right. Doctors simply can’t get the data they need when an EKG machine is malfunctioning or not calibrated correct. This can cause serious problems with the results and the ability to perform the test at all. 

Staying on top of your EKG machine’s performance is key to giving the best possible care in your facility. So look for these signs that it’s time to replace your machine altogether. 

Visible Damage 

The most obvious sign that it’s time for a new EKG machine is when you can see damage that has happened. Performing an EKG test won’t cause any major damage to the machine, so you’ll know something out of the ordinary happened if you do spot damage. 

This is especially true if you notice any cracks or chips where pieces of the protective plastic are missing. 

As with any machine, daily use will eventually cause some of the elements to wear out and need to be replaced. This most often happens with the wires that can start to fray from extended time in a specific position. 

It’s important to make sure a daily check of the machine is performed to keep on top of any damage to get things repaired or replaced as quick as possible. 

Out of Date Technology

Technology in the medical field can be a difficult task to stay on top of. There are always advancements being made and changes to current options to make things easier for the doctors and more helpful for the patients. 

Those improvements definitely include changes to healthcare equipment like an ECG machine. 

It’s not always necessary to upgrade your machines with every upgrade. In fact, that’s not realistic for most healthcare facilities’ budgets. But it’s a good idea to stay informed on changes being made and so be ready to upgrade when the technology far surpasses what your current machine can produce. 

This is the best way to make sure you’re giving the most complete care to each of your patients. 

Printing Errors 

As with many procedures and tests, the doctors aren’t actually the ones who are performing it on their patients. Instead, the results are printed out by the machine after the test is done by the nurse or technician and then the doctor interprets the findings. From there they’ll decide what the best course of action is for the patient. 

That’s why the printing aspect of an EKG machine is so important, without it it’s very difficult for the patient to get the help they need. 

When printouts become blotchy, faded, or full of ink spots, you know there’s a major problem with the printing aspect and it’s likely time to get a new machine. The same thing is true if you often experience paper jams. 

Unfortunately, the printer is incorporated with the machine so you’ll likely need a whole new EKG machine instead of just a part.

Poor Maintenance 

Every machine, whether used in a medical facility or not, needs regular maintenance to perform its job. They all need to be cleaned and tuned so their parts can move freely and there are no potential issues. 

If you know your machine hasn’t been getting this kind of maintenance, it’s probably time to get a new one before you start to experience major problems while performing tests. Maintenance is an important preventative measure that helps all machines function for extended periods of time. 

Every machine will come with a user manual that will help detail what needs to be done and how often to keep the machine in the best working order for as long as possible. 

Inconsistent Results 

Results from an EKG test can dramatically change how a doctor treats a patient. These tests are designed to help monitor the heart and find any irregularities with its rhythm. When something is found, it generally leads to some kind of intervention, which can be very detrimental if they’re not actually needed. 

This is why it’s so important to make sure that your EKG machine is always calibrated just right to ensure it’s giving you the most accurate information possible. 

If you notice that your EKG machine regularly needs to be calibrated or it will give inconsistent results, it’s time to get a new machine. There’s no better way to guarantee you’re giving the most accurate information to the patient and doctor than to eliminate the potential problem altogether. 

Power Outages 

An incomplete test is worthless for both the patient and the doctor, the whole thing will have to be done all over again for them to see any benefit. So if your EKG machine is turning off before you’ve completed the test, it’s time to get a new one. 

There are a variety of reasons your machine would experience power outages but the most common culprit would obviously be the power cord. 

These can get damaged from frequent moving or from extended time in bent positions. It’s important to keep them as straight as possible to avoid added pressure and wear. They can occasionally be replaced on their own but often require a whole new unit. 

It’s Time to Replace the EKG Machine 

There are so many aspects to making sure your patients are getting the best care possible from your facility. Keeping your machines up and running is definitely one piece of that big puzzle. 

When you start to notice any of these warning signs, it’s time to get your EKG machine checked out by a professional maintenance and repair professional. They’ll be able to tell you definitively if it’s time to replace the whole thing or if they can do the necessary repairs to get it working properly again. 

If you’re in need of a new EKG machine or other testing technologies, contact us today to learn more about our options!