1.1.3 STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE - Weighing and Measuring Equipment
Policy:
Food, Fluid and Nutritional Care
Operation
Part Number/
Name
Safety Tools/
Clothing
Tools/
Equipment
No
1.1
Policy Reference:
1.1.3
The purchase, maintenance and calibration of weighing and measuring
equipment.
This procedure relates to the weighing and measuring equipment
available for wards and departments to order, how it is maintained and
calibrated.
Weighing and measuring equipment appropriate to the patient
population.
Main Operating Steps
Rationale
Evidence/support
Wards and departments must refer to
the Weighing and Measuring
Equipment Flowchart (Appendix 3) as
to the most appropriate weighing and
measuring equipment to order for the
patient population.
For Bariatric patients see the NHS
Tayside Bariatric Protocol (2010).
1.2
Originator:
Caroline McKenzie
Wards and departments are not
permitted to deviate from this list or
buy weighing scales from a high
street shop.
Wards and departments must
complete a non stock requisition and
send this to the Supplies Department.
1.3
The Supplies Department will
purchase the equipment as per
Weighing and Measuring Equipment
Flowchart (Appendix 3) and invoice
the ward or department.
1.4
When the equipment arrives it will be
delivered to Medical Physics.
The weighing
equipment listed is
Class III and is
appropriate for
monitoring,
diagnosing and
medical treatment.
It is likely that
these scales are
Class IV and are
the less accurate
domestic type
scales.
Supplies are
responsible for the
purchase of
equipment in NHS
Tayside.
The weighing
equipment listed is
Class III and is
appropriate for
monitoring,
diagnosing and
medical treatment.
To allow Medical
Physics to
undertake an
acceptance check
and ensure the
scales are entered
into the system for
the maintenance
and calibration
programme.
NHS Scotland Safety
Action Note (2008)
NHS Tayside
Bariatric Protocol
(2010)
1.5
1.6
1.7
1.8
Medical Physics will arrange for the
equipment to be delivered to the
ward/department.
Wards and departments must arrange
with the Estates Department, if any
equipment needs to be wall mounted
i.e. stadiometer.
Medical Physics will undertake a
maintenance and calibration check of
the weighing equipment once per
year. The date of the service and the
date for the next service will be
displayed on the equipment. If this
date elapses wards and departments
must contact Medical Physics.
To ensure that the
equipment is
installed correctly
to allow for
accurate readings.
To ensure that the
equipment is
maintained and
calibrated once
per year.
Medical Physics will remove weighing
scales from use which are not
displaying accurate readings, until
they are recalibrated. Following recalibration they should be re- checked
after a short period of use by Medical
Physics to ensure remain correctly
calibrated.
To avoid errors in
NHS Scotland Safety
weighing that
Action Note (2008)
would compromise
patient safety by
way of monitoring,
diagnosing or
receiving medical
treatment.
Medical Physics will keep records of
the maintenance/calibration
programme.
If weighing equipment breaks down
then the ward or department must
contact;
In order that
practice can be
audited.
To ensure that
wards and
departments have
the equipment
repaired as soon
as possible.
For Perth & Kinross Hospitals
Medical Physics at Perth Royal
Infirmary Ext 13101.
For Dundee and Angus Hospitals
Medical Physics at Ninewells Hospital
Mechanical Repairs Ext 32323
Electronic Repairs Ext 32799.
1.9
NHS Scotland Safety
Action Note (2008)
Wards and departments must borrow
equipment from neighbouring wards
and departments while they await the
repair of their equipment.
Medical Physics will act on any Safety
Action Notices or incidents and inform
the relevant staff in order that NHS
Tayside can take appropriate action
To ensure all
patients continue
to be weighed and
measured.
To ensure the
safety of the
patients.
NHS Scotland Safety
Action Note (2008)
Troubleshooting for Completion of Nutritional Risk Assessment
Problem
Unable to obtain a height
Action
Measure height using one of the following methods:
• Height Stick (Stadiometer)
• Self reported if reliable
• Ulna length
• Knee height
For Learning Disability clients use:
• Stadiometer
• Self reported height
• A measuring tape to measure length of the body
Unable to obtain a weight
Measure weight using either:
• standing scales
• sitting scales
• wheelchair scales
• ramp scales
• hoist scales
If none of these are possible ask the patient for their weight
(self reported) or ask the carer. If none of these methods
are possible and the patient is unable to report their weight
a bed weigher may be available.
The patient is overweight or
obese
Follow the ‘MUST’ management guidelines depending on
the risk category.
It may be appropriate to refer low risk patients onto weight
management services or provide further information.
A bariatric scale is required
Refer to NHS Tayside Protocol for the Safer Handling of
Bariatric Patients (2010)
The patient has an amputation
Correct the weight as per the NHS Tayside (2013)
Guidance on the Measurement and Estimation of Height
and Weight.
The patient has ascites/oedema
Correct the weight as per the NHS Tayside (2013)
Guidance on the Measurement and Estimation of Height
and Weight.
The patient has a plaster cast
Contact your local dietitian for advice on how to correct the
weight.
The patient has a ‘MUST’ score
that deems them at medium or
high risk of malnutrition
Follow the Step 5 Management Guidelines for inpatients.
(Appendix 7)
Follow the Step 4 Management Guidelines for patients in
the community (Appendix 18)
There is a Learning Disability
Client in the Community who
requires nutritional assessment
The ward or department require
new weighing or measuring
equipment
The weighing or measuring
equipment has broken
The weighing or measuring
equipment has not been
maintained or calibrated in over
a year
Contact the Learning Disability Dietitians at Strathmartine
Centre for advice or visit
http://www.knowledge.scot.nhs.uk/taysidenutrition/learningdisabilities.aspx
Refer to Appendix 3 for guidance
Contact the local Medical Physics Department
Contact the local Medical Physics Department