Few people realise the importance of calibration. In fact, it plays a critical role in the traceability, validity and confidence of equipment used in many industries. This includes manufacturing, healthcare and environmental monitoring to name a few.
The importance of accurate measurements cannot be understated. It supports informed decision-making, cost efficiency and helps to avoid mistakes that could lead to financial losses or safety risks.
Fundamentally, without calibration, the integrity of measurements can be called into question. If measurement results matter - calibration matters.
Why is calibration?
The goal of calibration is to minimise any measurement uncertainty, by ensuring the true accuracy of your equipment. Calibration quantifies and controls errors or uncertainties within measurement processes to an acceptable level.
The process involves evaluating and adjusting the device. This ensures readings comply to international standards. In practice, it also includes any repairs of the device if it is out of calibration.
This is different to verification, which only checks whether an instrument meets predefined specifications without adjusting. It is important to note that it is the responsibility of the healthcare provider to ensure the equipment being used is calibrated - not the service provider or manufacturer.
Why is calibration important?
Calibrating equipment is vital in any situation that requires accurate measurements. It enables users to have confidence in the results that they monitor, record and subsequently control.
From a technical perspective, it ensures that measurements are accurate and reliable. Inaccurate measurements can lead to faulty products, equipment failures, misdiagnosis and even safety hazards.
For example, in a legal setting, a court may not accept a completed audiogram as true or accurate if the device hasn’t been calibrated. From a business perspective, calibration is essential for maintaining customer satisfaction and regulatory compliance. It also ensures that products meet quality standards and are safe for consumers.
Additionally, regulatory bodies, such as the FDA and EPA require calibration for compliance with regulations. For example, an improperly calibrated blood pressure monitor could lead to incorrect readings, resulting in a misdiagnosis or improper treatment.
Which system of measurement do we use?
The International System of Units (SI) is a globally agreed system of measurement. It's designed to ensure that our everyday measurements remain comparable and consistent worldwide.
Standardising these measurements helps them to be consistent and accurate. It also helps society have confidence in its data.
For instance, mass is measured every day. Having a clear definition of the kilogram helps consumers trust that the weight of a product is accurate.
Equally, having reliable information on climate change, pollution, and medical diagnostics is important. It helps build trust and allows for better decisions.
In the case of medical devices, it serves as a foundation for measurement accuracy and consistency during a calibration.
How often should equipment be calibrated?
The frequency of calibration depends on the type of device, the manufacturer's recommendations, and industry regulations. Some devices or instruments require daily calibration, while others may only need it once a year.
Medical equipment should be calibrated according to manufacturer guidelines and legal requirements which may vary by country. You should calibrate medical equipment when:
- The user instructions states it's time to calibrate - usually once or twice a year
- When using a pre-owned instrument from a company that doesn't specialise in calibration or servicing
- A specific amount of usage hours have elapsed (refer to instructions for specifics)
- An instrument vibrated or sustained damage that may have caused it to go out of calibration (especially important for portable devices)
- The observations raise questions or surprises, indicating possible damage to the equipment
It's important to note that a headset and audiometer are a matched pair. If a new headset were to be used with the audiometer, it would need to be re-calibrated.
What are the benefits or regular calibration?
Completing regular medical equipment calibration checks offers several benefits:
- Complete confidence in the efficacy of your equipment
- Measurement repeatability and standardisation
- Regulatory compliance
Certificate of calibration
Hearing test specialists must have a valid certificate of calibration. This ensures the accuracy, reliability and compliance of the instrument used.
It also checks that the equipment meets industry standards, supports regulatory requirements and helps prevent measurement errors. These errors could cause financial loss, safety risks, or legal problems.
Certification also provides traceability to recognised standards, builds trust with clients, and identifies maintenance needs for instruments. Essentially, it ensures quality, compliance, and consistency across processes and industries.
Equipment calibration services
Calibration and repairs are at the heart of Amplivox’s commitment to excellence. We work with carefully selected partners to provide a high-quality UKAS accredited calibration service.
For complete flexibility, we offer a return-to-base and an on-site calibration service (UK only). We also offer a high-quality repair service and possess certification for the most recent ISO 13485:2016 standard.
For more information, please visit our calibration and repairs webpage. Or contact our customer support team on +44 (0)1865 880 846 or email.