EC135
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Situational Awareness
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Flight Crew Became Reoriented; General Maintenance Action
Human Factors; Procedure
After arriving for duty and chatting with the medical crew during the crew briefing; the Medic apologized for the noise coming from the dryer in the laundry room; explaining that it was the metal tabs from the stretcher seat belts that he washed and was drying. I asked him if he meant the seat belts from the aircraft's serviceable stretcher. He said yes; they had become soiled sometime earlier; so he removed them from the stretcher; replaced them with a clean set from the parts locker; and washed them. I asked him if he was aware that removing the belts from the stretcher was a mechanic or pilot preventative maintenance function and that it needed to be properly inspected and a logbook entry needed to be completed. He was not aware of that; nor was the flight nurse. I also asked him if he were aware that the belts could only be washed three times before they needed to be taken out of service; and that the belt's parts label needed to be marked accordingly. He was not aware of that. I explained on-the-spot to the Medic and nurse that there was a specific procedure and that only properly trained and authorized pilots or mechanics could perform such tasks (I work at a hospital based program and my medical crewmembers are not company employees; but have successfully completed the FAA approved Company Crewmember Training Program). I notified; by email; my Manager to include this topic on the next program safety committee agenda; and suggested he also reiterate the requirements to all personnel program-wide. I subsequently proceeded to inspect the belts installed on the stretcher; insured their operational function and installation; and made an appropriate logbook entry. I don't think this is a well covered topic for pilots and aircrews alike. I've been here for some time and have never paid much attention to the cleaning of the seatbelts on the stretchers; never having seen them needing removal and cleaning before. Maybe because it was being done without my knowledge? Company wide; we need to give emphasis to this in initial medical crewmember training; and to alert their pilots to be on the lookout for situations where medical crewmembers are taking this task upon themselves to complete. Although I have not witnessed it before; I have a sneaking suspicion that a lot of stretcher seatbelts get cleaned/changed without it being properly documented in the logbooks; by belts that may no longer be serviceable (washed more than 3 times); and by individuals not specifically qualified to perform those tasks. Unless the medical crewmembers know to alert the pilot the stretcher belts need to be removed/cleaned; the medical crewmembers may just do it without even telling pilots or mechanics since they are often arranging medical equipment in the cabin and on the stretcher; and changing linens; and otherwise doing biological cleaning of the cabin medical workspace/equipment on their own. As was the case tonight; I would not have even known if it weren't for the Medic apologizing for the noise in the dryer.
EC135 pilot is informed by his Medic that the stretcher seat belts have been removed and are being washed and that new belts have been installed. The pilot informs the Medic that the stretcher seat belts can only be changed by specially trained personnel and requires logbook documentation.