Faulty weighing scales ‘put lives at risk’
2nd, May 2008
The Department of Health has issued a weighing scale warning after hospitals have been found to be using inappropriate or faulty weighing scales.
The Department of Health has asked hospitals to check their weighing scales to ensure that they are in working order and that they are using the correct types of weighing scales.
In April the Local Authorities Coordinators of Regulatory Services (Lacors) launched an inspection programme by trading standards officers to check all weighing instruments in hospitals. This was decided after pilot studies showed inappropriate use of weighing scales.
Different types of scales are available and it is important that the correct scales are used. For example domestic scales are appropriate for weighing of patients as part of check ups but they are not accurate enough to work out dosage and more sensitive medical scales should be used. More accurate scales are also needed for babies and children.
Lacors found that weighing scales led to a four-year-old cancer patient being given a potentially harmful dose of radiation treatment. Ordinary bathroom scales were used to work out her radiation dosage. The scales, which were not fit for use in a hospital setting, wrongly indicated that the girl had gained weight during the day despite not having eaten and suffering from suspected dehydration.
Geoffrey Theobald OBE, Chairman of LACORS, said:
“Trading standards officers haven’t traditionally visited hospitals, but it was clear from the pilot studies carried out that the accuracy of hospital scales is cause for concern.
“The new scheme will focus on making sure that hospital staff have the information and guidance they need to maintain the highest standards of accuracy. It is not about naming and shaming hospitals that are found to have problems, it is about working together to tackle a longstanding problem.”
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