What does RNZCGP accreditation ask for on body-protected areas?

Foundation Standard indicator 11.6 covers residual current devices and body-protected areas. If mains-powered medical equipment is used on a patient, it expects 10 mA RCDs within a designated body-protected area, and it puts the responsibility on the practice owner, leadership or person in control of the premises. The evidence it asks for depends on where the practice is up to.

• A new body-protected area: the Certificate of Compliance (held by the building owner) and the electrical inspection report.
• An existing one: documented annual inspections by a registered electrical inspector, records of the 6-monthly RCD tests, and the area’s sign showing the most recent annual inspection.
• A practice still transitioning: the 6-monthly RCD test records and a documented transition plan approved by leadership or clinical governance.

The 6-monthly test is the RCD’s own test button. For RCDs built into socket-outlets, press Test and check the power-available lamp goes out on every outlet it protects; for RCDs on the switchboard, press test with care for whatever is connected, such as vaccine fridges. Record the date, who did it and the result. Many practices have their electrician do it at a service visit. Either way it does not replace the annual inspection, which measures the trip with an instrument.

A consult room with an electric examination bed can be treated as not a treatment area, but the college asks for that reasoning to be written into the practice’s health and safety policy.