What is one of the primary roles of a Biomedical Equipment Technician in infection control?

One of the primary roles of a Biomedical Equipment Technician (BMET) in infection control is ensuring proper cleaning and maintenance of medical devices. This responsibility is crucial because medical equipment can be a vector for infections if not adequately maintained. By adhering to strict cleaning protocols and performing regular maintenance, the BMET helps minimize the risk of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) in clinical settings.

A focus on cleaning practices includes the disinfection of surfaces and components, ensuring all devices undergo thorough sterilization processes where necessary, and providing routine inspections to identify potential contamination issues. Such practices not only protect patients but also safeguard healthcare workers and improve overall patient outcomes.

While training staff on device usage contributes to safe practices, and managing inventory is important for resource availability, neither of these directly addresses the essential task of preventing infection through device maintenance. Developing new devices, while relevant to the field, falls outside the immediate scope of infection control responsibilities.