Medical electrical equipment — Part 1-12: General requirements for basic safety and essential performance — Collateral standard: Requirements for medical electrical equipment and medical electrical systems intended for use in the emergency medical service

This International Standard applies to the BASIC SAFETY and ESSENTIAL PERFORMANCE of MEDICAL ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT and MEDICAL ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS, hereafter referred to as ME EQUIPMENT and ME SYSTEMS, which are intended, as indicated in the instructions for use by their MANUFACTURER, for use in the EMS ENVIRONMENT (EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES ENVIRONMENT), as defined in 3.1.

NOTE 1 For the purposes of this standard, the intent of the MANUFACTURER is indicated in the instructions for use. The RESPONSIBLE ORGANIZATION and the OPERATOR need to be aware that any other use outside the MANUFACTURER’S INTENDED USE can result in a HAZARDOUS SITUATION for the PATIENT.

The EMS ENVIRONMENT includes

responding to and providing life support at the scene of an emergency to a PATIENT reported as experiencing injury or illness in a pre-hospital setting, and transporting the PATIENT, while continuing such life support care, to an appropriate professional healthcare facility for further care.

providing monitoring, treatment or diagnosis during transport between professional healthcare facilities.

This International Standard does not apply to ME EQUIPMENT and ME SYSTEMS intended solely for use in the HOME HEALTHCARE ENVIRONMENT covered by IEC 60601-1-11 or solely for use in professional healthcare facilities covered by IEC 60601-1 without the additions of IEC 60601-1-11 or this collateral standard. ME EQUIPMENT and ME SYSTEMS are often not solely intended for one environment. Such ME EQUIPMENT or ME SYSTEM can be intended for multiple use environments, and as such, if also intended for use in the EMS ENVIRONMENT, are within the scope of this standard.