What should you check for when a patient brings equipment from home?

When a patient brings equipment from home, checking for a UL sticker is crucial because it indicates that the device has been tested for safety and meets specific safety standards set by Underwriters Laboratories. This certification helps ensure that the equipment is safe for use in a healthcare setting, minimizing the risk of electrical hazards or malfunctions that could harm the patient or staff.

While CE certification is important for items sold in Europe, and a manufacturer's warranty and owner's manual provide useful information about product reliability and operation, the UL sticker specifically addresses the equipment's adherence to safety standards relevant to usage in a healthcare environment. Ensuring that any equipment brought into a clinical setting is certified for safety is a fundamental responsibility of healthcare professionals to protect both patients and staff.