UNISA CLINICAL ENGINEERING LEARNERSHIP

UNISA CLINICAL ENGINEERING LEARNERSHIP SYLLABUS

This part of the training will take approximately 5 to 6 months to complete and will generate about 58 credits which is not less than 510 notional hours.

NB. Students are required to do at least 20 out of 28 modules

Introduction to Clinical Engineering

ORIENTATION OF THE STUDENT: Welcoming of students, interviews, rules and regulations, walk through the hospital, orientation course for students employed by the hospital. Explanation of workshop procedures and 'modus operandi'.
Issuing of tools to students where appropriate.

Module 1: Health Facility Maintenance Infrastructure
Visit and observe the function of the different sections in the maintenance department of the hospital.
1.1 Hospital Electrical Systems.
1.1.1 Electrical distribution in the hospital.
1.1.2 Isolated supplies.
1.1.3 Power failure alarm system.
1.1.4 Emergency electricity supply.
1.1.5 Earth leakage trip switches.
1.1.6 Assessment

1.2 Gas and Water supplies
1.2.1 Gas supply systems
1.2.2 Medical gas systems, supplies, storage, distribution and safety. Lecture to be given by Afrox or conversant/responsible department.
1.2.3 Water supply systems
1.2.4 Air-conditioning systems: normal and special systems e.g. laminar flow for theatres
1.2.5 Assessment

1.3 General maintenance
1.3.1 Mechanical section
1.3.2 Electrical section
1.3.3 Transport (if available)
1.3.4 Assessment

Module 2: Medical Environment Orientation

2.1 Visit and observe the different departments of the hospital. Observe the function of the Intensive care, operation-theatres, trauma section and patient care areas.
2.2 Lecture presented by theatre staff on theatre etiquette.
2.3 Lecture on anaesthesia basics ( Anatomy and Physiology being a prerequisite) and a brief description of the anaesthetic equipment.
2.4 Attend at least 3 operations as required by the syllabus. A written report is to be handed in, relating to the operations attended.
2.5 Assessment: Discussion by the students on the operations they attended. (The students will be evaluated according on the knowledge gained during theatre attendance and the lectures and on the reports that they submit).


Module 3: Clinical Engineering Maintenance Management (CEMM) Systems for medical equipment e.g.H.E.C.S.

3.1 Introduction. To specific CEMM System used in the hospital
3.2 Preventative Maintenance and Inspection procedures as required according to the specific system used.
3.3 Students to have hands-on practice of entering, retrieving and updating of data.
3.4 Assessment of process used for CEMM system


Module 4: Fault finding.

4.1 Understand and apply the basic skills of faultfinding to electronic and associated devices
4.2 First, second and third line repairs. Methods employed in fault finding eg. substitution, resistance and voltage measurements, signal tracing, etc.
4.3 Assessment:


Module 5: Soldering techniques.

5.1 Understand and apply the basic skills of simple soldering techniques of electronic and associated devices.
5.2 Outside assistance may be used, to give instruction and a demonstration.
5.3 Assessment: Solder project done by students will be evaluated.


Module 6: Infusion pumps.

6.1 Understand the theory of operation peristaltic and volumetric type infusion pumps
6.2 Identify the different elements that control the infusion rate.
6.3 Identify the type of infusion sets used for specific pumps
6.4 Understand the clinical aspects and pharmacology of infusion.
6.5 Observe calibration procedures and PMI of various pumps as required by the manufacturers.
6.6 Study the most common faults occurring and the repair of pumps.
6.7 Assessment

Module 7: ECG.

7.1 Revise the theory of operation of ECG. By referring to the origin of the signal, amplification and processing of the signal, etc.).
7.2 Identify the typical faults that occur on ECG equipment.
7.3 Be conversant with the use of the patient simulator.
7.4 Demonstrate the interpretation of a few common ECG’s. artefacts
7.5 Observe calibration procedures and PMI relating to ECG.
7.6 Assessment: Perform an ECG on another student.

Module 8: DEFIBRILLATORS.

8.1 Revise the theory of operation of defibrillators.
8.2 Understand the clinical application of defibrillators.
8.3 Demonstrate the use, application of defibrillator analyser.
8.4 Perform all test procedures for the safe use of defibrillators according to manufacturers specifications.
8.5 Visit various departments/theatres to test defibrillators and log on computerised-maintenance systems and Preventative Maintenance&Inspection (PMI) schedules.
8.6 Identify typical faults, with the aid of circuit diagrams and faultfinding procedures.
8.7 Assessment:


Module 9: VENTILATORS:

9.1 Revise the theory of operation of ventilation.
9.2 Discuss flow transducers.
9.3 Perform calibration of a ventilator. Do a HECS and PMI.
9.4 Assessment:

Module 10: ELECTROSURGERY.

10.1 Principals of electro-surgery. (Monopolar, bipolar)
10.2 Demonstrate waveforms on oscilloscope.
10.3 Discuss circuit diagrams.
10.4 HECS and PMI procedures
10.5 Demonstrate analyser usage if available.
10.6 Assessment:


Module 11: INCUBATORS AND INFANT WARMERS:

11.1 Clinical applications of incubators.
11.2 Discuss different types of incubators (overhead, portable and enclosed ).
11.3 Calibration of incubators.
11.4 Examine circuit diagrams.
11.5 Assessment:


Module12: PULSE OXIMETERY

12.1 Principals of operation. (Wavelengths etc.
12.2 Typical user faults
12.3 Clinical significance of SpO2
12.4 Types of probes.
12.5 Assessment:


Module 13: NIBP MONITORS

13.1 Principal of operation and calibration.
13.2 Typical operator faults.
13.3 HECS and PMI procedures.
13.4 Discuss circuit diagrams.
13.5 Assessment:


Module14: INVASIVE BLOOD PRESSURE

14.1 Principals of operation.
14.2 Transducers and calibration of transducers.
14.3 Difference between NIBP and invasive BP.
14.4 HECS and PMI procedures.
14.5 Assessment:

Module 15: BLOOD GAS ANALYSERS

15.1 Principals of operation.
15.2 Calibration.
15.3 Typical faults.
15.4 Clinical applications.
15.5 HECS and PMI.
15.6 Assessment:


Module16: HAEMODIALYSIS
16.1 Theory of dialysis.
16.2 Principals of equipment.
16.3 Discuss circuit diagrams.
16.4 Visit dialysis ward.
16.5 HECS and PMI.
16.6 Assessment:

Module 17: LUNG FUNCTION

17.1 Discuss lung physiology.
17.2 Discuss block diagrams of a typical systems.
17.3 Visit lung function ward for a lecture and demonstration.
17.4 Attend lung function tests.
17.5 HECS and PMI.
17.6 Assessment:


Module 18: MONITORS

18.1 Discuss types and applications of monitors (neonatal, bedside and central stations.
18.2 Clinical relevance of patient monitoring.
18.3 Typical faults.
18.4 HECS and PMI.
18.5 Assessment:

Module 19: ANAESTHETIC EQUIPMENT

19.1 Boyles machine principals and safety features.
19.2 Discuss typical faults and explain and calibration procedures.
19.3 Typical faults.
19.4 Discuss vaporiser nebulisers and humidifiers principals, calibration and handling procedures
19.5 Provide HECS and PMI
19.6 Assessment:

Module 20: VACUUM PUMPS

20.1 Principals, typical faults and maintenance.
20.2 HECS and PMI.
20.3 Assessment:


Module 21: DIAGNOSTIC ULTRASOUND

21.1 Fetal ultrasound. Principals and typical faults.
21.2 Advanced diagnostic ultrasound equipment.
21.3 Demonstration and lecture by hospital users of ultrasound.
21.4 Assessment:


Module 22: INTRA AORTIC BALLOON PUMPS

22.1 Principals of intra aortic balloon pumps.
22.2 Clinical applications.
22.3 CD Rom lecture and test.
22.4 Assessment:

#Module 23: MANAGEMENT SKILLS

23.1 Customer relations eg. conflict management.
23.2 Finances eg. budgets, GP's overheads etc.
23.3 Self motivation.
23.4 Assessment:


#Module 24: OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH &SAFETY ACT (1995)

24.1 Discuss the contents of the act.
24.2 Discuss the relevance to Clinical Engineering.
24.3 Assessment:


#Module 25: PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

25.1 Discuss professional development.
25.2 Discuss medical ethics with relevance to Clinical Engineering.
25.3 Discuss the staff structures of an engineering department.
25.4 Discuss the role of the Clinical Engineer in the hospital (equipment purchase, tenders system and evaluation etc.)