A physician scale, also known as a "balance beam scale," is used for measuring patients' body mass or weight. Physician scales use sliding weights that measure mass in pounds and in kilograms and are quite accurate. The scale consists of a platform that sits on the floor. Attached to the back of the platform is a vertical metal beam upon which is attached a horizontal, mechanical, die-cast balance beam, consisting of a top bar, marked in both pound and kilogram increments, a small sliding weight, a lower bar, also marked in both pound and kilogram increments and a larger sliding weight.
Scales come into play in almost every field, but their use in the medical industry is easily among the most important. There’s a reason you step on a scale just about every time you visit your doctor; measuring a patient’s weight can help physicians gauge any changes in their overall health. Seca scales help to shorten routine procedures and prevent errors. The intuitive control systems save training time, while the high level of reliability and quality guarantees precise measurements every time. Mobile or stationary, little or plenty of space, for constant or only occasional use – seca offer the best medical scales for a wide range of conditions and requirements. But they have to be adequately maintained so that they’re always in perfect working order. In this article, we’d like to take this opportunity to review the basics of medical scale maintenance.
Careful Placement
Proper care of your medical scales starts with proper placement. You probably already know that your scale should be kept somewhere flat. Dialysis Scales might be above ground or in-ground. We’re sure you already do this when your scale is in use, but remember that it should remain fully flat when in storage, too—or else it might need a calibration sooner than is required.
Next, keep it on a hard surface—in other words, avoid padded or carpeted floors. This can interrupt your reading. Another rival of your medical scales’ longevity is moisture. Try to keep your medical scales in an arid environment and where there is no chance of fluids spilling onto them. Some areas can become quite humid in the summer, so be sure that you keep the indoor humidity low in your medical facility.
Daily Maintenance
Every day, you should give your medical scale a quick test to ensure everything is as it should be. Take a glimpse at all parts of the scale and notice any visual damage. If your scale is battery-powered, check the display for a low battery alert. If you notice it, get the batteries replaced as soon as possible. Don’t wait until it dies—a low battery could instantly impact readings.
Next, examine your scale for accuracy as regularly as you can. Do not use exercise weights; instead, stick to actual calibration weights. About 10% of your scale’s capacity is an ideal weight to test. Remember that doctors scales should be professionally calibrated at least once per year—more frequently, the more use it gets.
Occasional Cleaning
Finally, you should clean hospital scales occasionally. Ideally, you shouldn’t wait until they need cleaning. Before you start cleaning, verify that it is powered off and—if applicable—unplugged. Remember that moisture can do some severe harm to your scale, so you shouldn’t use anything other than a lightly dampened cloth to wipe it down.
Some mild detergents may be suitable for cleaning your medical scales. If you have an in-ground unit, don't hesitate to get in touch with a professional to help safely remove and clean underneath.