Standard Operating Procedures for C-

arm operation regarding equipment

safety.
By: Engr. Kamran Javed Butt Shirazi Trading Co. PVT LTD

Following are the SOPs related to equipment safety which should be considered before operating a C-
arm. Conformity to these SOPs can increase equipment life and decreases unwanted breakdowns.

1. Cover/ Drape your Image Intensifier properly before operation, so no liquid like blood or
Pyodine could enter into the C-arm body which may cause permanent damage to equipment.
Similarly while cleaning C-arm, a mild moist cloth or gauze piece should be used. Do not turn on
the equipment if mistakenly any form of liquid goes into the body and report it to the Bio-
medical department.

2. Power input of equipment should be uninterrupted and without any fluctuations, as sudden
shutdown can cause patient database corruption or permanent damage to C-arm in worst case
scenario. Hence to cater this problem an Online UPS should be installed with the equipment in
accordance to the power requirement.

3. A power Plug Should be properly fixed into the socket, a loosely connected plug can cause
fluctuations and sparks.

4. A patient archiving hard disk/space should not increase 70% of its maximum limit, keeping an
eye on it regularly and deleting old exams will solve this issue.

5. Never operate surgery by placing body directly over Image Intensifier assembly, a slight mistake
or miscalculation can cause damage to II assembly which is the most sensitive part in whole
equipment.
6. It is quite better that a room should be designated to C-arm so there is no requirement to move
it to another OT, But if it is inevitable to move then it should be done very carefully so no Jerk
felt by the equipment and wires should be properly secured.

7. In a case unit is not operating properly or an error code appears then take a note of it or it is
quite better that you take a picture of it and report it to the biomedical department.

8. OT should be fumigated, as it has been observed that rodents/rats are also the cause of
equipment damage as well.