Lesson 1Start-up procedure for a new patient: attaching leads/sensors, setting alarm limits, patient ID and demographicsThis part outlines the proper start-up process for a new patient, covering attachment of ECG, SpO2, NIBP, and temperature sensors, inputting patient ID and details, setting alarm limits and profiles, and verifying stable baselines before use in clinical care.
Selecting the correct patient profileAttaching ECG, SpO2, NIBP, and temp sensorsEntering patient ID and demographicsSetting and confirming alarm limitsVerifying signal quality before monitoringHandover communication with clinical staffLesson 2Common faults and troubleshooting: monitor shutdowns, battery failures, display/firmware issues and basic corrective stepsThis part deals with frequent monitor problems like sudden shutdowns, battery issues, display or keypad faults, and firmware errors, offering structured troubleshooting steps, safe fixes at user level, and when to call in biomedical engineers.
Monitor will not power on or rebootsBattery not charging or short runtimeDisplay, touchscreen, and keypad faultsECG, SpO2, or NIBP channel failuresFirmware freezes, errors, and updatesEscalation to biomedical engineeringLesson 3Preventive checks and functional tests: battery capacity test, NIBP cuff leak test, SpO2 sensor performance check, ECG lead impedance checkThis part explains routine functional tests to ensure monitor readiness, including battery capacity checks, NIBP cuff leak and pressure tests, SpO2 sensor performance, and ECG lead impedance using built-in or external tools for reliable operation.
Battery runtime and capacity test methodsNIBP cuff leak and valve function checksSpO2 sensor accuracy and response testsECG lead impedance and continuity checksUsing internal self-tests and service menusRecording and interpreting test resultsLesson 4Clinical roles and typical measurement parameters (ECG/HR, SpO2, NIBP, RESP, temperature)This part reviews the roles of multiparameter monitors in clinical practice and explains key parameters like ECG, heart rate, SpO2, NIBP, respiratory rate, and temperature, including normal ranges, importance, and limitations of each channel.
Overview of multiparameter monitor functionsECG and heart rate: uses and limitationsSpO2 and pulse rate interpretationNIBP measurement cycles and artifactsRespiratory rate and apnea detectionCore and skin temperature monitoringLesson 5Pre-use preparation: power, battery check, lead/patient cable inspection, sensor calibration verificationThis part covers pre-use steps before patient connection, including power and battery checks, inspecting leads and cables, verifying sensor calibration, and ensuring accessories suit the clinical needs in Ghanaian settings.
Verifying mains power and battery statusInspecting leads, cables, and connectorsConfirming correct sensors and accessoriesChecking calibration labels and due datesConfiguring default profiles and layoutsDocumenting pre-use safety checksLesson 6Alarm management: alarm priorities, escalation workflows, adjusting limits safelyThis part explains safe handling of alarms, covering priority levels, setting limits and delays, escalation processes, ways to cut down alarm fatigue, and ensuring alarms fit the patient's condition properly.
Alarm priority levels and meaningsSetting patient-specific alarm limitsAdjusting alarm volumes and delaysAlarm escalation and response workflowsStrategies to reduce alarm fatigueTesting alarms after configurationLesson 7Daily and weekly maintenance: cleaning disinfection protocols, visual inspection, cable and connector checks, sensor functional testsThis part addresses daily and weekly upkeep tasks, like cleaning and disinfecting housings and sensors, checking for damage, inspecting cables and connectors, and quick tests to spot early faults and keep things reliable.
Approved cleaning and disinfection agentsCleaning housings, screens, and sensorsDaily visual inspection for damageCable, connector, and strain relief checksQuick functional checks of key channelsWeekly review of accessories and sparesLesson 8Signal artefact troubleshooting: removing motion, poor contact, grounding and electrical interference checksThis part covers spotting and fixing motion artefacts, poor electrode or sensor contact, loose grounding, and electrical interference, using waveform checks, repositioning leads, and systematic steps to get back reliable signals.
Identifying motion artefacts on ECG and SpO2Correcting poor electrode and sensor contactChecking patient grounding and equipotential linksTracing mains and RF interference sourcesUsing monitor filters and notch settingsWhen to replace cables, leads, or sensorsLesson 9Documentation and reporting: logging preventive maintenance, incident reports, calibration records, device history trackingThis part outlines documentation for maintenance and incidents, including logging preventive upkeep, recording faults and fixes, tracking calibration certificates, and keeping device history for safety, audits, and compliance in Ghana.
Preventive maintenance log requirementsIncident and near-miss report contentRecording repairs and part replacementsManaging calibration records and labelsBuilding a device history fileUsing CMMS or digital tracking tools
