Answers to the questions we’re asked most often about medical equipment compliance testing, calibration and servicing. Can’t find what you’re looking for? Get in touch and we’ll help directly.
What is AS/NZS 3551 and does it apply to my facility?
AS/NZS 3551 is the joint Australian/New Zealand standard covering the management, maintenance and periodic testing of medical electrical equipment. It applies to hospitals, GP practices, aged care providers and any facility that owns or operates medical electrical equipment, setting out inspection and testing requirements based on each item’s risk classification and use. See our electrical safety testing page for the full scope of what’s tested.
How often does medical equipment need electrical safety testing?
Testing intervals under AS/NZS 3551 are based on an item’s risk classification and how frequently it’s used, rather than one blanket interval for every facility. Higher-risk, high-use equipment (such as items used in critical care or theatre settings) is generally tested on a shorter cycle than lower-risk equipment. See our full breakdown in How Often Do You Need AS/NZS 3551 Testing?
What’s included in an autoclave or steriliser validation?
Our autoclave and steriliser validation service includes performance qualification testing against AS 5369 requirements, vacuum leak and Bowie-Dick testing for vacuum-type autoclaves, and temperature and pressure validation across the load to confirm the sterilising cycle reaches and holds the required parameters. Full detail is on our autoclave & steriliser validation page.
What is a PPM (Planned Preventive Maintenance) contract?
A PPM contract puts your entire biomedical equipment testing and calibration schedule on one consolidated calendar, managed for you. It bundles testing, calibration and validation visits together, sends proactive due-date reminders, and keeps centralised compliance records ready to produce for an accreditation assessor. More detail on our PPM contracts page.
How often should AEDs and defibrillators be serviced?
AEDs need a reliable, scheduled servicing routine rather than being checked only when someone notices a problem. This covers pad and battery expiry checks, functional testing to confirm the unit powers on and self-tests correctly, and physical inspection of the unit and its cabinet or signage. See our AED servicing page for the full scope.
Does Nova Biomedical service equipment outside Queensland?
Yes. Nova Biomedical services hospitals, clinics, aged care providers and government sites across Australia and New Zealand, with dedicated coverage for the Gold Coast, Brisbane, Sydney, South-East Queensland, North Queensland and Western Australia.
Is Nova Biomedical accredited or certified?
Yes. Nova Biomedical is ISO 9001:2015 certified for the quality systems behind our testing, calibration and maintenance work, and has over 25 years’ experience servicing medical equipment to AS/NZS 3551 work standards. See our About Us page for more on our background.
How do I know if my equipment is compliant before an accreditation survey?
Check your equipment list against the requirements of your accreditation standard — for example NSQHS, RACGP/AGPAL/QIP, or the Aged Care Quality Standards — and confirm each item’s last test date against its due interval. A PPM contract does this automatically by centralising records and sending due-date reminders. See our NSQHS compliance checklist or RACGP/AGPAL/QIP compliance guide.
Does Nova Biomedical repair biomedical equipment as well as test it?
Yes. Alongside testing, calibration and validation, Nova Biomedical also provides biomedical equipment repairs. See our equipment repairs page for more.
How do I get a quote for testing or a PPM contract?
Get in touch through our Contact Us page and we’ll put together a quote based on your equipment list, facility type and accreditation requirements.
