When should patient monitoring systems be checked for functionality?

Patient monitoring systems are critical for ensuring the safety and well-being of patients during treatment, particularly in environments such as hospitals or outpatient centers. Regular checks for functionality are essential because these systems are responsible for tracking vital signs and other health parameters in real time. Checking these systems prior to every treatment session ensures that they are working properly and can accurately monitor the patient's condition. This proactive approach helps to prevent any potential malfunctions that could compromise patient safety during procedures.

Conducting checks only once a week, only when issues arise, or at the start of every month does not provide the immediate assurance needed prior to each treatment session. These intervals may leave gaps where a malfunction could occur without detection, potentially endangering patients. Therefore, ensuring that patient monitoring systems are assessed for functionality at each treatment session is vital in delivering high-quality and safe patient care.