ESU safety and the clinical engineer: purchasing, preventive maintenance, incident investigation.

The clinical engineer and his or her staff, by virtue of their responsibility for the equipment control program, can make a significant contribution in assuring that electrosurgical units and their accessories are effective and cause minimal harm to patients and staff. This is accomplished not only through the preventive maintenance/periodic inspection/repair functions that they are so well known for providing, but also through their active participation in the process of equipment selection and in the investigation of incidents suspected of arising from the use of these devices. This article outlines specific responsibilities in each of these three areas, including a detailed periodic inspection program for electrosurgical units.