1.1 * Scope
This International Standard applies to the basic safety and essential performance of medical electrical equipment and medical electrical systems for use in the home healthcare environment, as defined in 3.1, and specified by the manufacturer in the instructions for use. This International Standard applies regardless of whether the me equipment or me system is intended for use by a lay operator or by trained healthcare personnel.
The home healthcare environment includes:
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the dwelling place in which a patient lives;
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other places where patients are present both indoors and outdoors, excluding professional healthcare facility environments where operators with medical training are continually available when patients are present.
This International Standard does not apply to me equipment and me systems intended solely for use in the emergency medical services environment, covered by IEC 60601‑1‑12 or solely for use in professional healthcare facilities covered by IEC 60601‑1 without the additions of IEC 60601‑1‑12 or this collateral standard. Nonetheless, me equipment or me systems can be intended for multiple use environments, and as such, if also intended for use in the home healthcare environment, are within the scope of this standard.
EXAMPLE Me equipment or me systems intended for both the home healthcare environment and the professional healthcare facility environment.
NOTE Home healthcare environment me equipment and me systems can frequently be used in locations with unreliable electrical sources and poor electrical grounding.
1.2 Object
The object of this collateral standard is to specify general requirements that are in addition to those of the general standard and to serve as the basis for particular standards.
1.3 Related standards
1.3.1 IEC 60601‑1
For me equipment and me systems, this collateral standard complements IEC 60601‑1.
When referring to IEC 60601‑1 or to this collateral standard, either individually or in combination, the following conventions are used:
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"the general standard" designates IEC 60601‑1 alone, including any amendments;
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"this collateral standard" designates IEC 60601‑1‑11 alone, including any amendments;
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"this standard" designates the combination of the general standard and this collateral standard.
1.3.2 Particular standards
A requirement in a particular standard takes priority over the corresponding requirement in this collateral standard.
