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Emergency equipment for medical practices: purchasing checklist

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Emergency equipment in a medical practice typically includes a fully stocked emergency case or emergency backpack, an AED, bag valve masks with masks in several sizes, an oxygen supply, a suction unit, devices for basic monitoring and sufficient consumables. Fixed inspection intervals, checks of expiry dates and clear responsibilities within the team are just as important as the purchase itself.

Which equipment suits your practice?

There is no single list that applies to every practice. Which emergency equipment is useful or required depends on the specialty, the patient volume, the services offered and the recommendations of the relevant medical chamber and professional society. A practice that performs outpatient procedures usually needs more than a purely consultative practice. The following checklist is therefore meant as purchasing guidance and does not replace a professional or legal assessment of the individual case.

For a quick overview of suitable products, see the Emergency supplies category, which brings together cases, backpacks, ventilation aids and consumables.

Checklist: basic equipment at a glance

The table summarises the typical areas of practice emergency equipment and what to look for when purchasing.

Area	Typical equipment	What to look for when purchasing
Transport and organisation	Emergency case or emergency backpack	Clear compartments, wipeable material, option to seal
Defibrillation	AED with electrodes and battery	Semi-automatic or fully automatic, paediatric electrodes or paediatric mode, expiry dates
Ventilation	Bag valve masks, masks in several sizes, airway aids	Sizes for adults and children, single-use or reprocessable
Oxygen	Oxygen cylinder, pressure regulator, oxygen masks	Cylinder size, matching connectors, organised refilling and exchange
Suction	Secretion aspirator with suction catheters	Battery or manual operation, spare canisters and catheters in several sizes
Monitoring	Pulse oximeter, blood pressure monitor, stethoscope	Battery level, suitable cuff sizes
Venous access	IV cannulas, tourniquet, infusion sets, syringes	Several sizes, sterility and expiry dates
Consumables	Gloves, compresses, plasters, rescue blanket	Sufficient quantity, regular restocking

Emergency medicines are also part of the equipment. Their selection is a medical responsibility and is not covered by this purchasing checklist. From a purchasing point of view, what matters is that storage, expiry dates and reordering are included in the same inspection plan as the rest of the equipment.

Emergency case or emergency backpack?

An emergency case suits practices where the equipment mostly stays on the premises. It stands securely, opens wide and shows its contents at a glance. Emergency bags and backpacks are an advantage when distances are longer, for example across several floors, in a medical care centre or on home visits, because both hands remain free.

For both options, pay attention to the following points:

colour-coded or labelled modules so that items can be found quickly
wipeable surfaces that can be disinfected
seals that show whether the case has been opened since the last check
the choice between an empty case and a case pre-filled according to a relevant standard

For first aid for minor injuries in everyday practice, first aid kits, for example according to DIN 13157 or DIN 13169, are a useful addition.

AED, ventilation, oxygen and suction

AED devices differ mainly in how the shock is delivered (semi-automatic or fully automatic), in voice guidance, in paediatric mode and in the follow-up costs for electrodes and batteries. You will find detailed criteria in our AED buying guide.

For ventilation, bag valve masks for adults and children and masks in several sizes should be available. The article Choosing the right bag valve mask offers selection tips. For the oxygen supply, clarify in advance who refills or exchanges the cylinders and whether regulators and masks fit the existing connectors. A battery-powered secretion aspirator can be used independently of a power socket. Plan spare canisters and suction catheters at the same time.

Inspection intervals, expiry dates and documentation

Active medical devices such as the AED are subject to the German Medical Devices Operator Ordinance (MPBetreibV). Safety inspections take place at the intervals specified by the manufacturer. The results are documented, for example in the medical device logbook. In addition, an internal visual inspection at fixed intervals, recorded in the practice quality management system, has proven useful.

Checklist for regular inspections:

AED: status indicator, battery and electrode expiry date
Oxygen: cylinder fill level and function of the pressure regulator
Suction: battery charge and completeness of accessories
Sterile goods and medicines: expiry dates, undamaged packaging
Case or backpack: completeness according to the contents list, intact seal
Documentation: date, result and name of the person carrying out the check

Responsibilities within the practice team

To make sure the equipment is complete when it is needed, you need a named person who is responsible for the checks, plus a deputy. This person maintains the contents list, monitors expiry dates and triggers reorders. After every use, the case is restocked immediately and sealed again. Regular team training ensures that all staff know where the equipment is kept and how it is organised.

For reordering, a fixed purchasing list with article numbers is worthwhile. With a buyer account, you keep track of your orders.

Related categories

Frequently asked questions

What belongs in an emergency case for a medical practice?

Typical contents are equipment for ventilation and airways, venous access, monitoring and consumables such as gloves and compresses. The exact contents are determined by the medical lead according to the specialty.

Is an AED mandatory in a medical practice?

There is no blanket obligation for every practice. However, requirements for emergency equipment may apply to certain services, such as outpatient procedures. Clarify the requirements for your specialty with your medical chamber or professional society.

How often should emergency equipment be inspected?

Safety inspections follow the manufacturer's specifications. In addition, an internal visual inspection at fixed intervals and after every use is recommended.

Who is responsible for the emergency equipment?

Overall responsibility lies with the practice management. Ongoing checks are usually delegated to a named person with a deputy.

Can I reorder individual items?

Yes, electrodes, masks, suction catheters and consumables are available individually in the relevant categories. If an item is missing, submit a product request.

Put together your emergency equipment now in the Emergency supplies category. Looking for a specific device or accessory? Use our product request and established suppliers will get back to you. Delivery to Germany, Austria and Switzerland.