The polysomnograph has taken a leakage current of 200uA. What should the tech do about this?

The polysomnograph has taken a leakage current of 200uA. What should the tech do about this?

• A. Plug the equipment into an ungrounded plug to avoid a ground loop
• B. Do not use the equipment until the leakage current is lowered
• C. Continue to record since the leakage current is within acceptable limits
• D. Use an extra grounding electrode on the patient

Answer: (B)

Leakage current is the unwanted current that can flow from powered equipment into the patient or surroundings. Medical devices are designed to keep this current below a safe limit to prevent electric shock or burns. A reading of 200 microamperes indicates the equipment is well above the safe threshold, so it must not be used until the leakage is reduced. Stop recording, unplug the device, and have biomedical staff repair or replace it to bring leakage back within safe limits. Trying to use an ungrounded outlet won’t fix the problem and can create other hazards; adding an extra grounding electrode on the patient doesn’t address the source of leakage and may introduce new risks. Continuing to record with this issue would compromise patient safety, so the correct action is to discontinue use and service the unit until it’s safe.

Leakage current is the unwanted current that can flow from powered equipment into the patient or surroundings. Medical devices are designed to keep this current below a safe limit to prevent electric shock or burns. A reading of 200 microamperes indicates the equipment is well above the safe threshold, so it must not be used until the leakage is reduced. Stop recording, unplug the device, and have biomedical staff repair or replace it to bring leakage back within safe limits.

Trying to use an ungrounded outlet won’t fix the problem and can create other hazards; adding an extra grounding electrode on the patient doesn’t address the source of leakage and may introduce new risks. Continuing to record with this issue would compromise patient safety, so the correct action is to discontinue use and service the unit until it’s safe.