TechNation- July 2017

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VOL. 8

ADVANCING THE BIOMEDICAL / HTM PROFESSIONAL

JULY 2017

A Free-Market Solution to Self-Reliance

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Department of the Month Philips Healthcare

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News and Notes Industry Updates

44

Roundtable Ultrasound

80

Scrapbook AAMMI 2017

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CONTENTS

FEATURES

44

44

52

TECHNATION: ADVANCING THE BIOMEDICAL/HTM PROFESSIONAL

THE ROUNDTABLE: ULTRASOUND In this issue of TechNation, we examine ultrasound systems. These diagnostic imaging devices have made several advances over the years with many more uses in the hospital setting. Also, point-of-care systems make exams possible almost anywhere. We sought the insights of industry professionals to take a deeper look at ultrasound systems.

Next month’s Roundtable article: Sterilizers

52

TRAINING TO SUCCEED: A FREE-MARKET SOLUTION TO SELF RELIANCE Training has become a potpourri of opportunities for HTM professionals with technology playing a big role in its evolution. The Internet has been a game-changer with the convenience and cost savings of online resources.

Training opportunities include OEM and ISO offerings, inhouse training from a peer and online opportunities. The factors that seem to drive the decision process are often budget, convenience, depth, and the availability of things like manuals, a keypass or passwords. There are as many opinions about what source of training is best as there are resources for training. So, where can you get the most bang for you buck?

Next month’s Feature article: How to Manage Cost of Service and Overcome Budget Constraints

TechNation (Vol. 8, Issue #7) July 2017 is published monthly by MD Publishing, 18 Eastbrook Bend, Peachtree City, GA 30269-1530. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to TechNation at 18 Eastbrook Bend, Peachtree City, GA 30269-1530.

TechNation magazine is dedicated to providing medical equipment service professionals with comprehensive, reliable, information concerning medical equipment, parts, service and supplies. It is published monthly by MD Publishing, Inc. Subscriptions are available free of charge to qualified individuals within the United States. Publisher reserves the right to determine qualification for a free subscriptions. Every precaution is taken to ensure accuracy of content; however, the information, opinions, and statements expressed in the articles and advertisements herein are those of the writer and/or advertiser, and not necessarily those of the publisher.

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JULY 2017

TECHNATION

9

CONTENTS

INSIDE

PUBLISHER

John M. Krieg

VICE PRESIDENT

Kristin Leavoy

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

Jayme McKelvey Lisa Gosser

ART DEPARTMENT

Jonathan Riley Jessica Laurain Kara Pelley

EDITOR

John Wallace

EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS

Roger Bowles K. Richard Douglas John Noblitt Todd Rogers Manny Roman David Scott Cindy Stephens Steven Yelton Alan Moretti Jeff Kabachinski

WEB DEPARTMENT

Cindy Galindo Kathryn Keur

ACCOUNTING

Kim Callahan

CIRCULATION

Lisa Cover Laura Mullen Jena Mattison

WEBINARS

Linda Hasluem

EDITORIAL BOARD

Eddie Acosta, Business Development Manager, Colin Construction Company Manny Roman, Business Operation Manager, AMSP Robert Preston, CBET, A+, 2014 Salim Kai, MSPSL, CBET, Clinical Safety Engineer University of Michigan Health System James R. Fedele, Director, Biomedical Engineering Izabella Gieras, MS, MBA, CCE, Director of Clinical Technology, Huntington Memorial Hospital Inhel Rekik, Biomedical Engineer, MS, Clinical Engineer

Departments P.12 SPOTLIGHT p.12 Department of the Month: University of Minnesota Health Biomedical Engineering Department p.16 Professional of the Month: Daryl Gaza p.18 Biomed Adventures: Making a Difference P.22 INDUSTRY UPDATES p.22 News and Notes: Updates from the HTM Industry p.26 ECRI Institute Update p.28 AAMI Update P.30 p.30 p.32 p.37 p.39

THE BENCH Shop Talk Biomed 101 Tools of the Trade Webinar Wednesday

P.61 EXPERT ADVICE p.61 Career Center p.64 Ultrasound Tech Expert Sponsored by Conquest Imaging p.66 The Future p.68 Thought Leader p.70 Tech Knowledge p.72 Roman Review P.75 p.75 p.77 p.78 p.80

BREAKROOM Did You Know?

The Vault MedWrench Bulletin Board AAMI Scrapbook

p.84 Alphabetical Index p.85 Service Index p.90 Parting Shot

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SPOTLIGHT

DEPARTMENT PROFILE University of Minnesota Health Biomedical Engineering Department

BY K. RICHARD DOUGLAS

I

n and around the city of Minneapolis is a health system that provides health care to hundreds of thousands of residents.

The 16-member biomedical engineering department works in two units to support several facilities spread around the city, on both sides of the Mississippi River. Headed

by Manager Rodney Nolen, the shop covers general biomed with specialties in dialysis and anesthesia/operating room.

The department is divided up into the West Bank shop and the East Bank shop. The West Bank team includes Lead Tech Tim Sweeney, Dan Crissman, Patrick Gallagher, Matthew Pratto and Terry Westra.

The East Bank team consists of Lead Tech Jeff Lynch, Business Coordinator Lisa Vita, Jacob Bentzen, Jeff Forseth, Evan Glosser, Allen Hernbrode, Paul Lindquist, Matt Smith, Ethan Urban and Mike Vogman.

“In summary, my department supports the University of Minnesota Health which includes Maple Grove Medical Center, University of Minnesota Medical Center (an academic health center with 874 beds), University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital (254 beds) and MHealth Surgery Clinics and Surgery Clinics Center, as well as many supporting clinics,” Nolen says.

University of Minnesota Health represents a collaboration between the University of Minnesota Physicians and University of Minnesota Medical Center.

“The majority of the staff stay at their respective shop most of the time. However, technicians float from hospital to hospital based on needs and specialty. For example,

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JULY 2017

East Bank biomedical engineering shop.

I have only one technician trained on a specific model of gas machine, so he supports that machine at all sites like the GE MRI machine. I also have only one technician trained on Medivators, so he supports them at multiple sites. Also, in times of shortages of staff, they float back and forth as needed,” Nolen says.

Service contracts include parts only, some are first-call and some full service. Nolen says that biomedical engineering manages all contracts.

BEYOND THE ROUTINE This department has taken on projects and troubleshooting challenges and has proven to be very resourceful in the process.

“In March of 2017, a rollout of hundreds of capnography units was accomplished to support the clinical emphasis on post-surgery capnography monitoring,” Nolen says. “This is a new national focus to decrease code events, anesthesia side effects after surgery. These monitors are networked with nurse and

“In order to get this facility opened, we moved and/or installed more than 1,800 devices in a two-week timeframe.”

ASCOM phones to provide real alarming directly to the caregiver’s handset.”

“We have fully implemented capnography usage on all post-anesthesia patients here at MHealth. These devices are connected to the ASCOM via the nurse call system so that when they reach an alarm state, the alarm will go directly to the phones the clinical staff carry around with them,” Nolen adds.

The department realized that one particular challenge to this project was the interface cable from the monitor to the nurse call jack. The monitor OEM did not

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SPOTLIGHT

provide this cable so the team had to either make them or find a third-party company that could. They ended up accomplishing the cable interface using an outside source.

Opening the doors of a new facility can be a big task as well. The HTM team played a major role in getting all the medical equipment in place to make it happen.

“We also recently completed our work in opening the new MHealth Clinics and Surgery Center. This is a state of the art surgery and clinic center,” Nolen says. “The facility is fully integrated with equipment and patient location technology as well as advanced technology operating room suites.”

“In order to get this facility opened, we moved and/or installed more than 1,800 devices in a two-week timeframe. We participated in pre-construction, construction, and implementation meetings for the building construction. We attended many equipment selection meetings to provide technical and advisory input on all medical devices placed in the building. We provided technical guidance and advice to the construction team as needed. We also planned and implemented the equipment installation timelines and ensured they were met on time,” Nolen adds.

SAFETY FOR ALL Problem solving to aid patients and clinicians has been a part of the team’s agenda as well and they have problem-solved in that capacity successfully.

“Over a period of many months, we gathered data with clinical teams on Baxter Sigma infusion pump failures and work orders in an attempt to reduce failure and increase patient satisfaction at the bedside because pump failures have a direct impact with patients and families,” Nolen says.

“We have identified a pilot nursing unit and we are responding to all of their calls immediately to help identify the root cause of the patient care delay. The reason for this immediate response is that we often would receive the pumps and could not duplicate the problem the clinical staff had seen at the bedside. This focused-response pilot has greatly helped to identify a significant battery issue and also some

West Bank biomedical engineering shop.

nurse training opportunities,” he adds.

Nolen says that the team identified two major issues that were causing failures. The first was a cleaning issue related to the battery module and fluid causing degradation of the actual battery terminals. The find resulted in a change in the cleaning process and PM checkpoints. The second finding was an upper line issue that identified a clinical staff training opportunity which resulted in a reduction of nurse alarms and ultimately false work order activity for pump failures.

“My department has also taken a very proactive approach to helping reduce C. difficile in the patient care areas. This is a hospital focus and it was recognized that biomedical engineering had some opportunities that could positively impact the hospitals’ overall C. diff goals,” Nolen says.

“All of my staff have attended special training to understand how a technician can impact the patient when they enter a room or remove equipment without following all of the necessary precautions,” he adds.

Another area that the department has given special attention to is the alarms patient safety goal regarding alarms along side the clinical staff.

“We have been members of multiple groups and committees looking at our

EMPOWERING THE BIOMEDICAL/HTM PROFESSIONAL

monitoring settings and determining if they can be adjusted to reduce the amount of nuisance alarms,” Nolen says. “This work almost always results in the biomedical engineering department having to touch every single monitor and make the needed upgrades.”

Nolen says that as a result of the alarm work, they realized that they had a variation in the level of software that had been installed on the monitors in the different patient units, and, in some cases, the software versions would not support the new baseline decisions that were made for alarms.

“So, as a result, we are currently undertaking a major software upgrade to all monitoring software to ensure that we’re on the same version and platform,” he says.

Members of the department are also active in HTM away from work.

“Most or all of my staff are members of the North Central Biomed Association. I am also the co-chair of the ACCE education committee as well as a board member. I am also a member of AAMI,” Nolan says.

Regardless of what side of Ol’ Man River that patients live on, they can be confident that the medical equipment at the University of Minnesota Health is being maintained by the best.

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TECHNATION

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SPOTLIGHT

PROFESSIONAL OF THE MONTH Daryl Gaza

BY K. RICHARD DOUGLAS

O

ne of the primary reasons that many clinicians go into the health care field is to help improve the outcomes for patients. This same reason motivates many biomeds as well. It may just seem more obvious in the case of those who actually treat the patient than for the people who work on medical equipment, but the motivation for many biomeds to enter the field is grounded in this same goal.

Another way that many HTM professionals have found to help people is by volunteering with organizations that help those who are in regions that are impoverished and regions that have fewer medical resources.

Daryl Gaza, a biomed tech at Garden Grove Hospital in Garden Grove, California, fi rst entered the biomed field with the goal of helping children in underserved areas and learning biomed skills.

“I went to biomed training; that’s when I went to school to get my certification in biotechnology at the Southern California Institute of Technology (SCIT) in 2012. While I was in the school, I realized that it’s hard to get a job in this field if you don’t have any experience. That is why I decided to apply for an internship at Giving Children Hope as a biomed equipment technician,” Gaza explains.

Giving Children Hope was founded in 1993 and is a faith-based, not-forprofit organization that sends supplies, including medical supplies and equipment, to some of the world’s most poverty-stricken nations.

“While I was doing my internship, everyday I’d learned different things in the biomed industry. I realized also how

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important this career is [as it] involves patients’ lives,” Gaza says.

Gaza soon realized that he also needed practical experience working in a hospital environment, to go with his work at Giving Children Hope that primarily entailed fi xing medical equipment.

“That’s when I volunteered at Fountain Valley Hospital, not as a biomed, but to escort people to go to the different departments. I know it is not a biomed thing, but at least I got a chance to get experience in the hospital world.

This experience led me to my fi rst job as a biomed technician,” Gaza says.

COMBINING INTERESTS Before the internship, the decision was made to enter the program at SCIT. Gaza liked the idea that the biomed field merged two interests of his.

“Well, back when I was in the high school, I had this mindset that by the time that I will start working, I will choose a career where I can expand my knowledge in the health care industry and also do the things that I love to do, like fi xing electronic equipment and troubleshooting problems,” he says. “That’s why, when I heard about biomed, I didn’t hesitate to take that

course because this [is a] career that has the combination of health care and electronics.”

Before taking on his current position with Garden Grove Hospital, Gaza was working at Centinela Hospital. Prior to that, he spent about half a year working for St. Jude Medical in Irvine, California as a medical assembler. His job required catheter tip soldering, handling paperwork, and using a microscope.

The move to Garden Grove from Centinela was mostly a logistical one.

“Since I went back to school, I requested to move and work here at Garden Grove Hospital,” Gaza says.

“This hospital is much closer to my current school right now. As of now, I am currently working on my bachelor’s

WWW.1TECHNATION.COM

SPOTLIGHT “Centinela Hospital was having a power shutdown because engineering needed to fi x something in the regular power supply,” Gaza says. “So, basically biomed needed to make sure that all the medical equipment that plugged into regular power was moved to emergency power, especially those ventilators that were connected to patients.”

“We had to make rounds around the hospital and informed all the clinical staff about the project,” Gaza says.

When not working, Gaza likes to play basketball and watch movies.

Asked what readers should know about him, Gaza points to his belief in a strong work ethic. “[What] I would like the readers to know about me is that I am one of the people that has a big dream, but also PROOF APPROVED CHANGES NEEDED know that to accomplish all of those HARD WORK IS THE ANSWER dreams, I have to work hard and give Gaza SIGN–OFF: says that most of his regular CLIENT duties are fairly routine, but he recalled everything that I have,” he says.

We think that ARE with that approach, one PLEASE instance that was a littleTHAT out of the CONFIRM THE FOLLOWING CORRECT dreams can become a reality. ordinary. It impacted another one of LOGO PHONE NUMBER WEBSITE ADDRESS the Prime Healthcare hospitals. degree in biomedical engineering at SCIT located at Anaheim, California. I will fi nish in May of 2018. My goal in the future, after school, is to take the CBET exam, then be a specialist in radiology equipment,” he adds.

Although a general biomed, Gaza does specialize in one manufacturer’s product line.

“I am a certified B. Braun specialist.

I calibrate, program, repair and perform PMs on B. Braun Infusomat IV pumps and B. Braun Perfusor, Syringe and PCA pumps. I am repairing not just our own B. Braun IV pumps in Garden Grove Hospital, but also the IV pumps from the other hospitals in Prime Healthcare which is more than 40 hospitals,” Gaza says.

FAVORITE FOOD: Burgers and fries

HIDDEN TALENT: Playing drums

FAVORITE PART OF BEING A BIOMED: “Seeing clinical staff satisfied and happy about their medical equipment.”

WHAT’S ON MY BENCH “Well, I always have a screwdriver and also some tools and parts I use to repair B. Braun pumps, like Torx screwdrivers, soldering iron and flathead

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screwdriver. I also always keep sweets on my table like M&Ms, chocolates, gum and candy.”

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SPOTLIGHT

BIOMED ADVENTURES Making a Difference

BY K. RICHARD DOUGLAS

W

orking on a ship, off the west coast of Africa, certainly qualifies as an adventure.

Emmanuel Essah, CBET, a biomedical technician, started his experience on the hospital ship Africa Mercy as an IT professional. Essah is just one member of a 400-person crew from 40 nations. The Africa Mercy, part of the Mercy Ships organization, was built in 1980 in Denmark and measures 152 meters in length. It can accommodate a crew of 474.

Essah is not unfamiliar with the environment where he is now working. He was living on the west coast of Africa in the country of Benin, sandwiched between Togo and Nigeria, when he found out about the Mercy Ships organization.

“One of my church members was going to a Bible school called the Bible Institute of Benin. He is a business man whom I did some translation work for in the past,” Essah says.

“He was told at the Bible school that Mercy Ships was coming to Benin and they would need translators. Immediately, he contacted me and told me about the opportunity. First, I did not want to apply.

But my mum encouraged me to. I applied and became one the translators with the dental clinic at Mercy Ships. I served in Benin field service in 2009 and in Togo field service in 2010. I joined the ship in 2011 as a crew member when the ship was in Sierra Leone,” he adds.

Mercy Ships attempts to fill a need created by the estimated 5 billion people who do not have access to safe, affordable surgical and anesthesia care. The organization describes their mission in this way: “Mercy Ships, an international faith-based organization, has a mission to increase access to healthcare throughout the world through the deployment of the

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world’s largest, private hospital ship, the Africa Mercy. Mercy Ships works with host nations to strengthen the local healthcare system, while serving the dire and immediate needs of the host country.”

The CBS show “60 Minutes” has featured the Africa Mercy , and in March, Dana Perino, former press secretary for President George W. Bush, made her second visit to the ship and featured the visit on the Fox show “The Five.” The Africa Mercy had been docked on the coast of the Republic of Benin at the time.

SERVING THOSE IN NEED Essah’s introduction to living on the Africa Mercy wasn’t initially as a biomed. It was after being onboard for a couple of years that he took steps to

“It is a performance-based curriculum of theory and practical training with state-of-art equipment in a professional learning environment,” he says. “During that training, I acquired the skills to install, repair, maintain, calibrate and properly operate life-saving biomedical equipment.

At the end of the training, I graduated valedictorian of my class and returned to the ship where I serve as one of the biomedical technicians.”

On board, Essah is joined by two HTM colleagues; Tony Royston, senior biomed technician from the UK, and Larry Hewitt, a biomed technician from Canada.

Working on a hospital ship does come with certain challenges. Essah says that keeping a supply of parts handy is not really an option.

“ You can use your God-given skills and your talents in the biomedical engineering field to bring hope and healing to the forgotten poor.” enter the HTM world.

“I was serving as an IT Support Specialist on-board the ship from 2011 till 2013.

During these years, I had the privilege of serving in the Advance Team for two countries to prepare for the ship’s arrival to Togo in 2012 and to Guinea in 2013,” Essah says.

“In fall 2013, Mercy Ships sponsored me to go and do training in biomedical equipment technology at MediSend International in Dallas, Texas. I returned in January 2014 as a certified biomedical technician. Since then, I have been serving in the hospital as one of the biomedical technicians on-board,” he adds.

The MediSend International training was just what Essah needed. He describes it as an “intensive program.”

“Being a biomed on a hospital ship is challenging in a number of ways. First, a ship is not a traditional hospital so the space you have for spare parts and spare equipment is limited on a ship compared to a traditional hospital,” he says.

“You have some spare parts in storage, but you just can’t have everything. When a spare part is needed, but not available in the storage on the ship, we have to order it.

You do not get the spare part right away after ordering. You have to wait for a while before the parts get mailed or shipped to wherever the hospital ship is located,” Essah adds.

He also points out that when the ship does leave for a new host country, packing equipment and securing the ship for sail, is part of the job. Things have to get set back up

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SPOTLIGHT

when arriving at the new field service location.

“Mercy Ships also has some land-based clinics such as a dental clinic and an eye clinic. Those clinics also need to pack up at the end of the field service and set up every time we visit a new country,” Essah says.

“During set up, we have to test all of the equipment and make sure it is safe and working properly. For instance when the ship was in Madagascar, before we set up the dental clinic, our biomed team had to inspect the clinic, check the electrical sockets to make sure the wiring was OK, the building grounding system was good, and that we had the right power before we set the equipment up in the clinic,” Essah says.

“After the equipment was set up, we tested all the equipment and made sure it was all working properly and safely before the clinic could start receiving patients for treatment,” he adds.

He says that being away from family is tough, although the ship community becomes like a family. He says holidays are toughest.

“However, the ship forms such a unique community, where love is expressed to anyone who joins as crew member or guest or day crew,” Essah says. “During festive times like Easter or Christmas, festivities are organized in such a unique way that you feel like you are in a family/home.”

In addition to providing medical care, Mercy Ships also provides medical training to the local professionals in the

countries where the ship docks. The ship’s biomedical technicians also provide training to local biomeds.

According to Mercy Ships, the biomedical training program aims to enhance the standards and performance of the equipment used in partner hospitals or other health care institutions. To address this, Mercy Ships developed a practical and relevant biomedical training project that will impart knowledge and skills to each participant. This training opportunity includes mentoring and follow-up.

“During the 2016-2017 deployment of the Africa Mercy to Benin, Mercy Ships will offer basic training in biomedical engineering,” Essah says.” This training aims to improve health care in one district hospital, particularly in the standard biomedical engineering services, to an acceptable level of safety.”

“To be able to obtain the relevant manuals for each technician, facilitators will assess the equipment used at local hospitals, the manufacturer and the model of the equipment. At the end of the training, Mercy Ships will give participants selected service manuals on a USB stick,” he adds.

“It is an amazing experience to be part of such a unique organization where you can serve and be part of the transformation that is happening every day in the lives of the people we serve,” he says.

“You can use your God-given skills and your talents in the biomedical engineering field to bring hope and healing to the forgotten poor. You will get to befriend patients that we serve. Even though I do not have direct interaction with patients in my day-to-day job, the equipment that I repair or maintain is used to treat the patients. Whether it’s for monitoring, diagnosis, etcetera,” Essah says.

“Therefore, as a biomedical technician, when you serve with Mercy Ships, you will get to be part of the transformation that is happening in the patients’ lives by making sure the equipment used on them is safe and working properly. I see it is as such a joy and privilege to be able to contribute my time and talents to such a worthy cause,” he adds.

Emmanuel Essah is making a real difference in the lives of his fellow Africans and bringing his skill set to the benefit of those who need medical intervention desperately.

A CALL TO VOLUNTEER Essah has some advice for other biomeds who might hear the call for this kind of service.

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED in volunteering your time and skills to Mercy Ships, you can learn about opportunities online at www.mercyships.org/volunteer

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INDUSTRY UPDATES

STAFF REPORTS

NEWS & NOTES

Updates from the HTM Industry ECRI INSTITUTE’S PRESIDENT AND CEO NAMED PATIENT SAFETY EXPERT, AGAIN BC GROUP, RTI FORGE DISTRIBUTION RELATIONSHIP

Jeffrey C. Lerner, Ph.D., president and chief executive officer of ECRI Institute, has been selected as one of Becker’s Hospital Review’s “50 Experts Leading the Field of Patient Safety for 2017.” The annual award recognizes 50 leaders who are champions for improving patient safety.

“While I’m honored to be named, the award is far more for our organization and our dedicated staff who are committed to improving the safety of health care,” states Lerner. “Patient safety is at the heart of our mission and we work hard to improve it worldwide.”

Founded nearly 50 years ago, ECRI Institute is an independent nonprofit organization that focuses on the safety, quality, and cost-effectiveness of health care. It is a pioneer in patient safety. Recent milestones include the development of national patient safety reporting programs.

In 2008, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services named ECRI Institute one of the first federally designated Patient Safety Organizations (PSO). Since then, ECRI Institute PSO has collected and analyzed more than 1.5 million patient safety reports and collaborated on safe practices. By disseminating their shared learnings from analysis of these events, ECRI Institute PSO has achieved extraordinary contributions towards making care safer.

Becker’s Hospital Review’s top 50 patient safety leaders list features clinicians, advocates and legislators whose work helps to eliminate medical errors and improve safety in the industry. It has been published since 2013. Honorees are chosen from a combination of nominations, editorial research and discretion.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, call 610-825-6000, email communications@ecri.org or mail to 5200 Butler Pike, Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462.

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BC Group International Inc. and RTI Electronics Inc. have announced a partnership between the two organizations for the distribution of the RTI Imaging product line. BC Group is a leader in manufacturing, servicing and selling biomedical testing equipment and RTI is a leader in manufacturing, servicing and selling imaging testing equipment.

“BC Group is excited to add the RTI product line to our BC Market place offering. BC Marketplace provides over 75 product lines of test equipment and tools in addition to our extensive offering of BC Biomedical products,” said Mel Roche, President of BC Group. “We have been looking to expand our Marketplace offering to include imaging test equipment for some time now. With RTI’s great reputation and outstanding product offering, it is the perfect product line to fi ll out our one-stop biomed shop concept.”

“This is a perfect match and we look forward to expanding our coverage with this new partnership with BC Group,” said Fran Hackett, CEO of RTI. “BC Group will be marketing all of the RTI products, including the Black Piranha and all its options. The Black Piranha, with its industry leading two-year calibration cycle and up to 10-year warranty, makes X-ray QA easy, fast and, foremost, the most cost-effective solution.”

YOU CAN VIEW all the RTI and BC Biomedical products on the BC Group’s online store at www.bcgroupstore.com.

WWW.1TECHNATION.COM

INDUSTRY UPDATES

IEC TECHNICAL COMMITTEE MOURNS LOSS OF CHAIR The International Electrotechnical Commission’s (IEC) technical committee (TC) 62 is mourning the loss of another influential leader – the third such loss in a little more than a year.

Juergen Stettin, who chaired subcommittee 62D, died April 5 in his home after a long illness.

Stettin had a Ph.D. in physics, although he also studied medicine. In 1999, he founded PROSYSTEM AG, a worldwide health care consulting and service firm with more than 300 clients in more than 30 countries, along with his partner Oliver P. Christ. Since 2013, Stettin had been member of the faculty for risk management at Virginia Tech University.

“My friend Juergen was a very special human being,” Christ said. “He had the gift to be a listener as well as an entertainer at the same time. He provided a very special sense of humor, and over the 25 years I knew him, my relationship to him changed. Out of a primary business partner, he became my mentor and finally a friend. I deeply miss him.”

Stettin was active in international

JUERGEN STETTIN

standardization for more than 20 years and became the chairman of IEC/SC 62D in 2015. This subcommittee is responsible for more than 100 international safety standards for medical equipment and systems.

Jeffrey Eggleston, the secretary for IEC/SC 62D, said he would “always remember and admire Juergen for his optimism and his steadfast commitment to the standards community.”

HIMSS EXPANDS GLOBAL EDUCATIONAL OFFERINGS Expanding its global educational offerings to familiar and new audiences, HIMSS has acquired the conference component of Health 2.0. HIMSS will establish a new Health 2.0 business unit within the enterprise that includes HIMSS North America, HIMSS Analytics, HIMSS Media, HIMSS Europe, HIMSS Asia-Pacific and the Personal Connected Health Alliance.

“Bringing Health 2.0 into the HIMSS enterprise is a major expansion of our available resources to achieve better health through technology,” said H. Stephen Lieber, CAE, HIMSS president/CEO. “This approach will align the knowledge and expertise from the Health 2.0 global network of entrepreneurs, developers and end users engaged in the most leading-edge technologies with that of clinicians, IT professionals, executives, policy leaders and other health IT stakeholders to empower and enable people to live healthier lives.”

Lieber noted that HIMSS has no plans of changing the type or scope of the conferences presented in the past by Health 2.0. Instead, this expansion provides an opportunity for HIMSS to expand its own educational offerings with a stronger focus on start-up technologies in digital health.

In next six months, five Health 2.0 conferences will be held.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, visit www.himss.org.

EMPOWERING THE BIOMEDICAL/HTM PROFESSIONAL

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410002 INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL TechNation AD 09102015.indd 9/10/15 1 4:08 PM

INDUSTRY UPDATES

STAFF REPORTS

MEDISURG ANNOUNCES NEW WEBSITE MEDiSURG – a one-stop shop for eye surgical equipment that provides biomed training, full service on phaco and vitrectomy systems, parts for surgical equipment and a purchaser of used equipment and sales of cataract and retinal surgical systems – has announced the launch of its revamped website (www.medisurg.com).

“This newly redesigned website offers quick and easy access to essential information and features that offers a more comprehensive understanding of MEDiSURG’s Biomed training on Alcon Phaco and Vitret surgical systems, on-site service and parts sales,” according to a press release from the company. “The website also has a frequently asked questions, handpiece repair form, alumni portal, signup of training and access to our new customer portal to check on the status of service requests or handpiece repair.”

“We are very excited about our new website launch and the ease of navigation on desktop or mobile (devices) to assist our biomed customers (with) easy access to the technical information on the Alcon Centurion, Infiniti, Constellation and other surgical systems,” said John Weymouth, owner of MEDiSURG. “We believe this new site will allow us to expand our training business and assist our surgical ASC customers get the best value from their cataract surgical assets.”

MEDiSURG announced that the website will be updated on a regular basis with news of product launches, business activity, corporate milestones, events, and surgical systems available for sale.

VISITORS ARE ENCOURAGED to explore the website and sign up for direct emails from MEDiSURG at www.medisurg.com.

JPMORGAN CHASE COMMITS $8.6 MILLION TO FILL HEALTH CARE JOBS JPMorgan Chase & Co. has announced a more than $8.6 million commitment to help fill well-paying U.S. health care jobs by providing job seekers with critical skills that are in high demand but currently hard to find. As part of the firm’s $325 million global investment in skills development, this nationwide effort will provide lower-income Americans with the economic mobility to move into the middle class while helping health care organizations to better serve the increasing number of Americans seeking health care services.

“Through conversations with clients and partners, JPMorgan Chase has a unique vantage point for understanding how to address challenges health care organizations are facing when trying to find skilled workers and better serve patients,” said Chauncy Lennon, head of workforce initiatives, JPMorgan Chase. “By investing in skills training solutions to fill wellpaying, high-demand health care jobs, we’re not just providing individuals with economic opportunity, but helping to improve entire communities and the U.S. economy.”

Health care is the fastest-growing industry, nationally, with employment estimated to grow by 19 percent from 2014 to 2024, adding 2.3 million new jobs. But many of these jobs are expected to go unfilled unless job seekers have certain skills. The increased need for skills-driven health care jobs

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can be attributed to various factors including an aging population, including over 44 million baby boomers who will rely more heavily on health care services as well as a shift in how health care is provided from curative to preventative care. Rapidly changing technology has also required job seekers to secure necessary training to help them secure middle skill jobs – those that require more education and training than a high school diploma but less than a four-year college degree.

JPMorgan Chase aims to giving more workers, including lower-income people who are underemployed, a chance at good, well-paying careers by providing the necessary capital and technical support to local community colleges, training partners and research organizations that are doing innovative work to fill these vital middle skill jobs.

Middle skill jobs provide higher wages and can set workers on a career pathway while improving job security and satisfaction. The increased demand for health care services, changes to the structure of health care delivery, and efforts to control costs affect employment in the health care workforce at all skill levels. These trends suggest health care is a promising sector for initiatives focused on developing a strong pipeline to move lower-skilled workers into middle skill jobs.

WWW.1TECHNATION.COM

TRIM 2.25”

INDUSTRY UPDATES

HALL OF FAME INDUCTIONS Dr. Larry Fennigkoh and Dr. Binseng Wang were inducted into the Clinical Engineering Hall of Fame during the ACCE Members Meeting on June 10, 2017, in Austin, Texas.

Fennigkoh, Ph.D., was named to the 2017 class of the Clinical Engineering Hall of Fame for his pioneering work in developing a medical device inventory inclusion algorithm that significantly reduced the maintenance and regulatory burden for many of the nation’s hospitals. He was also recognized for his application of human factors principles in device incident investigation and the reduction of medical error.

Wang, ScD, was named to the 2017 class of the Clinical Engineering Hall of Fame for using the scientific method and quantitative data analysis to advance clinical engineering, for leading the opposition to unnecessary and overly burdensome regulatory control and, above all, for enhancing patient safety in the deployment of health technology.

Announces New Website Launch

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, visit http://accenet.org/HallofFame/Pages/Default.aspx.

Acertara, an independent ISO/IEC 17025:2005 accredited medical ultrasound acoustic measurement, testing, and calibration laboratory, and ISO 13485:2003 certified probe repair and new product development facility has announced the addition of Nicholas Ellens, Ph.D. to the Acertara team. Ellens will oversee the expanding acoustic power testing lab and will expand upon the capabilities of Acertara’s research and development team.

“I’m excited to join such a highly accomplished team like Acertara and for the opportunity to grow the acoustic power measurement laboratory the same way the company continues to strengthen its reputation – through a steadfast dedication to providing the health care market with best-in-class services and advanced technological solutions,” said Ellens.

Ellens joins Acertara directly from the Johns Hopkins University Department of Radiology – Division of MR Research faculty. His research at Johns Hopkins University included projects such as focused ultrasound used to deliver medications across the blood-brain-barrier, and MR-guided high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU).

Ellens earned his Ph.D. from the University of Toronto where his thesis was on electronically steered phased arrays for focused ultrasound surgery applications.

Prior research includes work conducted at various institutions including Sunnybrook Research Institute, Harvard University and the Department of National Defense. Additionally, Ellens is a widely published author on focused ultrasound.

“We continue to add to our world-class team at Acertara and I am absolutely thrilled to welcome Nick to our team,” said G. Wayne Moore, President and CEO of Acertara. “The addition of Nick further underscores Acertara as the premier supplier of acoustic testing services and products.”

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ACERTARA ADDS JOHNS HOPKINS PHYSICIST TO TEAM

Alcon - AMO - B&L Phaco and Vitrectomy Onsite service or PM

PARTS OEM Parts in stock!

New and refurb modules & parts.

Complete backup systems for sale

TRAINING Alcon Full Service Training With Certificate Alcon Constellation, Centurion, Infiniti

The new and completely redesigned website helps you: • Track your service requests • Phaco Handpiece Service • See what’s NEW at MEDiSURG • Special page for ALUMNI

Contact 1.855.233.4050 • www.medisurg.com araceli@medisurg.com

JULY 2017

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INDUSTRY UPDATES

BY ECRI INSTITUTE

ECRI UPDATE

Seeing the Disinfecting Light: Ultraviolet-C LEDs Zap Infection Rates

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ospital-acquired infections (HAIs) may be acquired through surgery, the use of medical devices, the hospital environment, the patient’s own flora, and from contact with health care workers (HCWs) and visitors. With an estimated one in 25 hospitalized patients having at least one hospital-associated infection on any given day, this serious issue continues to cause morbidity and deaths while adding billions to health care costs.

The thoroughness of terminal cleaning of patient rooms is one area of focus to reduce HAIs, and some hospitals have adopted environmental disinfection systems that use ultraviolet-C (UV-C) light or hydrogen peroxide vapor (HPV) to complement existing infection control protocols. Two of ECRI Institute’s previous Top 10 Hospital C-suite Watch Lists featured devices using ultraviolet (UV) light (disinfection robots) and visible LED ceiling fi xtures (IndigoClean™ lights). These devices can also help to battle hard-to-eradicate pathogens like Clostridium difficile (C. diff), methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and other multidrug-resistant organisms.

Challenges of using UV robots include their bulk, significant time required to disinfect a room, and lack of continuous disinfection protection. LED fi xtures installed in the ceiling can provide continuous disinfection over areas they cover, but may provide undesirable lighting effects that patients don’t like for long periods in their rooms. And neither of these technologies are used to disinfect mobile technologies, such as phones and stethoscopes, which clinicians carry from patient to patient.

The Tru-D Ultraviolet (UV-C) Disinfection System is a portable, remote-controlled device intended for

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environmental disinfection to prevent spread of hospital-associated infections by emitting UV-C irradiation. Tru-D uses an intuitive technology to calculate the dose of UV light required to kill harmful pathogens. The system uses low-pressure mercury vapor lamps to deliver UV-C light at a UV wavelength of 254 nanometers (nm).

A new LED disinfection option, which comes in strips, has recently been introduced by the LED industry. There have been advances in LEDs that emit light in the “deep UV” range, also called UV-C, which is a range below 290 nm (wavelengths between 250 and 280 nm are known to have the greatest germicidal effect). These advances include innovation in LED materials to emit light in the germicidal range, reduced power consumption, stabilized and increased output power, and the longer life of the lights. These new LED lights are flexible enough that they can be arranged to disinfect out-of-the-way surfaces (e.g., under beds, under countertops). Manufacturers are developing LED lights for health care applications; devices like sanitizing wands and UV disinfecting cabinets for smartphones and tablets are under way.

In several studies using these UV-C LEDs, colony forming units for common pathogenic microbes were significantly

reduced when treated with UV-C LEDs using at least 30 seconds of exposure time and placed 2 inches or closer to the light source. Other distinct advantages include availability in very compact sizes that offer enormous flexibility to create point-of-use disinfection devices with a smaller footprint. In addition, arrays of LEDs can be mounted in any geometry to eliminate disinfection “cold spots” found in patient rooms. One of the biggest advantages is that LEDs have no warm-up time and can cycle on and off instantaneously, which provides faster disinfection. With a lower initial purchase cost and reduced maintenance compared to UV robots and UV lamps, LED disinfection systems may be more financially viable. Important to note is that none of these options replaces terminal cleaning of patient rooms – these are intended for use in conjunction with terminal cleaning protocols.

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INDUSTRY UPDATES

Intuitive Thinking Intuitive Works Intuitive Solutions

WHAT YOU CAN DO • Have your infection prevention and value analysis teams work together to trial some of these new offerings in small areas (e.g., under countertops) and for point-of-use disinfection of devices like cellphones and stethoscopes in disinfection boxes and workstation disinfection wands to combat pathogenic microbes with these well-known carrier locations.

• Consider using overhead arrays of UV-C LEDs instead of mercury vapor lamps in room-air-disinfection systems for an environmentally safer solution.

• Look for public and other areas in your facilities where low-cost UV-C LED disinfection devices could be used, such as overhead ambient air disinfection in waiting rooms or in laboratory workstations where point-of-use devices could be used.

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CURRENT TREATMENTS Contaminated surfaces in hospitals, including in patient rooms and nursing stations, can be reservoirs for pathogenic microorganisms such as bacteria and viruses. Organisms such as MRSA, vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE), C. diff spores, and norovirus can inhabit various surfaces of hospital rooms, causing infection risks to patients. Healthcare workers can contaminate their hands on these surfaces, further spreading these pathogens after an infected patient has left the room. Given these hazards, efforts are ongoing to improve and refi ne environmental disinfection techniques, particularly in hospitals, medical clinics, and laboratories.

Environmental disinfection procedures include the use of hydrogen peroxide vapor, gaseous systems using formaldehyde or chlorine dioxide, and sodium hypochlorite (bleach) solutions to wipe down surfaces. More recently, UV light has been increasingly used as an effective method to kill microorganisms. UV light has been used routinely to disinfect air and drinking water for many years. UV light wavelengths fall within the 10 to 400 nm range, but studies have shown the most effective wavelengths for killing bacteria are in the 200 to 320 nm range: the UV-B and UV-C ranges of the UV spectrum. Other UV room disinfection systems include the Xenex GermZapping Robot, Clorox Optimum-UV, and Steris Pathogon.

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STAY TUNED! In the next issue of TechNation, we’ll take a deeper dive into another topic featured on ECRI Institute’s 2017 Top 10 Hospital C-Suite Watch List.

THIS ARTICLE is excerpted from ECRI Institute’s 2017 Top 10 Hospital C-Suite Watch List. To download the full report, visit www. ecri.org/2017watchlist. For more information on ECRI Institute’s evidence-based health technology assessment or consulting services, contact communications@ecri.org, or call (610) 825-6000, ext. 5889.

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INDUSTRY UPDATES

BY AAMI

AAMI UPDATES

AAMI Honors Healthcare Technology’s Best and Brightest

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ore than two dozen individuals and groups were honored for their exceptional leadership and commitment to healthcare technology and patient safety during the AAMI 2017 Conference & Expo in Austin, Texas last month.

Each year, AAMI recognizes leaders and innovators whose efforts have moved the industry forward, healthcare technology students who have demonstrated academic excellence, and experts who have written outstanding articles and papers for the association’s peer-reviewed journal, BI&T. The 2017 AAMI Award winners: • The AAMI Foundation’s LaufmanGreatbatch Award: the late Victoria Hitchins (4), research microbiologist for the Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health • The AAMI Foundation & ACCE’s Robert L. Morris Humanitarian Award: Adriana Velazquez Berumen (7), senior advisor on medical devices for the Policy, Access, and Use Unit of the World Health Organization • The AAMI Foundation & Institute for Technology in Health Care’s Clinical Solution Award: Regenstrief National Center for Medical Device Informatics (REMEDI) Infusion Pump Collaborative Project Team (3)

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• AAMI & Becton Dickinson’s Patient Safety Award: Michael R. Cohen (2), president of the Institute for Safe Medication Practices • AAMI’s HTM Leadership Award: Matthew F. Baretich (5), president of Baretich Engineering • AAMI & GE Healthcare’s BMET of the Year Award: Scott Hall (6), supervisory biomedical equipment support specialist (retired) for U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Lexington VA Medical Center in Kentucky • AAMI’s Young Professional Award: Priyanka Upendra (9), clinical engineering compliance manager for Intermountain Healthcare in Midvale, UT • The Spirit of AAMI Award: Vickie Snyder (8), a consultant for the Veterans Health Administration SOARD project • AAMI’s HTM Association of the Year: Indiana Biomedical Society (1) The AAMI Foundation scholarship winners, each of whom was awarded $3,000, were: • David Dunham, who is studying technology and management at the Oregon Institute of Technology in Klamath Falls, OR • Nehal Kapadia, who is earning a master’s degree in clinical engineering from the University of Connecticut • Andrea McAuliffe, who is enrolled

in a dual degree program at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor that combines a master’s of health services administration and a master’s of industrial and operations engineering • Rostislav Tesler, who is pursuing an associate’s degree in biomedical engineering technology at Penn State New Kensington • Brendan Welch, who is studying technology management and development at St. Petersburg College in Florida The BI&T award winners were: • Best Article: Shawn Jackman, co-chair of AAMI’s Wireless Strategy Task Force and founder and CEO of Clinical Mobility, Inc., for “Dispelling Wireless Technology Myths and Developing a Roadmap for Success” in the fall 2016 issue of Horizons • Best Commentary: “ReliabilityCentered Maintenance: A Tool for Optimizing Medical Device Maintenance” in the November/ December 2016 issue of BI&T; written by longtime HTM leader Malcolm Ridgway in collaboration with two other members of AAMI’s Reliability-Centered Maintenance Committee: Matthew Clark and Cheryl Bettinardi, both clinical engineers at Advocate Health in Downers Grove, IL • Best Research Paper: “Use of Monitor Watchers in Hospitals: Characteristics,

WWW.1TECHNATION.COM

INDUSTRY UPDATES

1

2

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Training, and Practices” in the November/December 2016 issue of BI&T; written by Marjorie Funk, a professor at the Yale University School of Nursing; Halley Ruppel, a PhD student at the Yale University School of Nursing; Nancy Blake, director of critical care services at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles; and JoAnne Phillips, manager of quality and patient safety for Penn Homecare and Hospice Services AAMI JOURNAL RECOGNIZED FOR EDITORIAL EXCELLENCE AAMI’s peer-reviewed journal BI&T has won two awards in a national competition recognizing “editorial excellence and achievement in the field of healthcare publishing.”

These awards are sponsored by the American Society of Healthcare Publication Editors (ASHPE).

The cover story for the July/August 2016 issue of BI&T, “Choosing Wisely: Trends and Strategies for Capital Planning and Procurement,” received ASHPE’s silver award for Best News/Analysis Article. ASHPE also honored BI&T’s new “Cyberinsights” column, written by cybersecurity expert Axel Wirth, a distinguished technical architect at Symantec, with a bronze award for Best New Department.

AAMI publications have a rich history of recognition and honors, garnering 11 ASHPE awards in the past three years alone. This year’s honors bring that number to 13.

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STAFF REPORTS

THE BENCH

SHOPTALK

Conversations from the TechNation ListServ Q: Is the proposed legislation that would require the registration with the FDA any person who owns or operates any establishment in any state engaged in the servicing of a device or devices, or is otherwise engaged in the servicing of a device or devices a good idea?

A:

In my opinion, your guess is as good as mine. Call me a cynic, but the proposed legislation is very broad and could migrate into areas purportedly not subject to this rule making. It is reported that hospitalbased programs and their employees are not subject to this proposed legislation.

Unfortunately, I see this as the “camel’s nose getting under the tent.” Once the “camel’s nose is in the tent, eventually the whole camel will be in the tent.” It is my opinion that this legislation must be eliminated from consideration. There is nothing that this legislation will fi x as it pertains to patient safety. This notion of quality associated with the delivered service product always comes down to the individual who is preforming the service, whether or not that person works for the OEM, ISO or in-house department. If the end result of this legislation is to make the patient experience safer when health care is being delivered, then would not it be the appropriate solution to have the “servicer” of the equipment “armed” with all of the information to ensure

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that any corrective and preventive maintenance is done properly? Why is it that “servicers,” regardless of who employs the “servicer” has to “fight” to acquire all of the documentation and special test equipment to perfom the service? If “servicers” had access to all of this documentation, special test gear, and access to parts, I bet that might make patients safer.

A: A:

Well said.

I agree and add that more interference from another clueless government entity would only make things worse.

A:

I think the hospital based biomed/ HTM would be under the exemption (to register).

A:

I feel this legislation is nothing more than an attempt by the major manufacturers to eliminate any competition, especially a true cost-savings avenue for medical providers. I think better enforcement of currently written regulations and laws would provide a much safer patient environment. If the FDA would enforce the requirement that “all service documentation” be provided we could lessen the chance of an event.

We have had to actually add a penalty as a line item on POs to get the required documents. By claiming to exempt certain

groups to make this look good is nothing more than getting a foot in the door, once its opened it cannot be closed and then you are not exempt anymore. If you look at the history of the major manufacturers’ quest for ultimate dominance you will see that they consistently claim only manufacturer repairs are authorized.

Then, they form there own “multi-vendor service group” and sell this service to repair other manufacturers’ equipment.

Not just a little hypocritical at all.

Q:

We are currently not happy with the ambulatory multi-therapy pumps we are using. We are looking for a new platform. Does anyone have any thoughts on a particular brand/model?

We need one capable of TPN, PCA, and epidural.

A:

We use Alaris units and they have a wide array of uses. The pickings are also kind of slim.

A:

We are using the Alaris system for infusion as well. We have had them for almost 10 years now and have experienced no major problems with the system.

THE SHOP TALK article is compiled from TechNation’s ListServ and MedWrench.com. Go to www.1TechNation.com/Listserv or www.MedWrench.com/?community.threads to find out how you can join and be part of the discussion.

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BY YAHYA SAYED GHAZANFAR

BIOMED 101

Initiative to Transform the BMET Culture

A

n uncomfortable truth about United States health care is that medical harm and needless deaths continue to occur. Some of those are related to improper use of medical equipment, lack of maintenance and malfunction.

Healthcare Technology Management (HTM) departments or in-house BMETs are providing maintenance services for medical equipment in hospitals.

However, there are some technical and management gaps and variations that need to be addressed and assessed.

Advantage Biomedical Services has addressed those issues and offers practical solutions to mitigate those challenges and gaps.

BACKGROUND Health care cost in the United States is increasing annually while hospital budgets are shrinking. Every HTM manager’s main goal is to find ways to reduce department costs while ensuring patient safety by maintaining medical equipment.

Most health care facilities rely on in-house BMETs for equipment maintenance and reach to OEM and/or third parties for repairs and replacement parts. HTM is regulated by accreditation bodies such as AAMI, TJC, CMS, AAAHC and a few other organizations.

They provide guidelines and standards for patient safety, medical equipment maintenance, calibration and safety inspections, but none are enforced in a systematic manner. Every HTM department has its own system of managing equipment and implementing standards. Variations and lack of access to reliable and cost-effective resources such as service manuals, OEM replacement parts and test instruments are

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among the obstacles that directly affect quality and cost of biomedical services in health care facilities.

CHALLENGES At the national level, there is not one standard for the HTM departments to follow as they juggle between cost, quality and safety.

Factors that affect cost, quality and safety are the lack of equipment inventory management system, cybersecurity solutions, limited access to service manuals, spare parts, qualified temporary BMET labor, and cost-effective specialized test instruments. For instance, every HTM department has its own system of operation and quality management which may or may not meet the TJC minimum requirements, affecting quality and accreditation.

Similarly, due to high costs associated with equipment inventory management and cybersecurity software, most HTM departments are left vulnerable to cybersecurity threats and/or lack an effective and efficient inventory management system, which also affects equipment safety and efficiency.

Accessing service manuals and replacement parts are another challenge that affects the cost and quality of HTM departments. Most equipment manufacturers do not release technical information for their equipment, leaving BMETs no choice but to hire an OME to take care of equipment.

Third-party and temporary BMETs are good options when biomed departments need extra support, however the learning curve remains a serious challenge for the in-house BMETs to deal with. In some incidents, third-party BMETs become a burden for in-house BMETs to train and become more helpful and productive.

YAHYA SAYED GHAZANFAR Clinical Engineering Consultant

SOLUTION For HTM departments to reduce costs, improve patient safety and experience, and minimize variations, a fundamental change is required to transform the current culture and implement a single standard for all HTM departments to follow. The solution for that is the BMET Umbrella.

The BMET Umbrella is a centralized hub of all the resources that BMEs and BMETs need to function effectively and efficiently in their role as professionals within a hospital environment as well as independently, as third-party organizations. Under the BMET Umbrella,

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THE BENCH

members will have access to an array of resources that they normally pay a much higher price for or can’t afford to procure. By utilizing these resources from a single shared source, members will receive benefits including reducing cost of operations, benchmarking and improved efficiency. In a way, they will operate as one mega, lean and efficient HTM department with multiple independent functional units as shown.

The Central BMET supporting multi HTM departments and third-party biomed units.

Under the umbrella, the members will have full access to SOPs, equipment inventory management software, cybersecurity software, PM, calibration, and service report templates and forms.

Service manuals, troubleshooting instructions, technical support, replacement parts at discounted prices from approved vendors, and qualified BMET

temporary labor are among other resources that members can access.

BENEFITS For the In-House BMETs Under the umbrella, in-house BMETs will have full access to a centralized cloud-based equipment management and cybersecurity software at a much lower cost compared to purchasing an individual license of their own. Members of the umbrella will have access to their equipment inventory 24/7 just the same as if they had the software installed on their local server or computer. Furthermore, the BMET Umbrella server that hosts the software will be much more secure compared to most in-house servers and computers.

Umbrella membership will eliminate the fi nancial obstacles of purchasing the tools that play an important role in improving equipment safety and

EMPOWERING THE BIOMEDICAL/HTM PROFESSIONAL

minimizing equipment downtime. It will save participating institutions time and money.

Members also will have access to unified SOPs including PM, calibration and repair procedures as well as work-orders and reports. The use of unified SOPs minimizes variations and creates benchmarking.

Access to specialized test instruments, at no cost, when needed, is another benefit of the BMET umbrella.

HTM departments sometimes have to purchase or rent specialized test instruments that they may use only once or twice a year. Under the Umbrella, members will share the same instruments whenever needed therefore keeping department expenses low.

Members will also have access to service manuals from an online library 24/7 that they may not currently be able to get from the manufacturers on their

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BY YAHYA SAYED GHAZANFAR

access to TJC, AAMI and CMMS own, or they may pay a high fee to standards. Standards that are concernpurchase them. ing HTM and clinical engineering will Access to a reliable OEM replacebe short listed and will be available for ment parts source is another challenge members online. that BMETs face. The BMET umbrella The BMET Umbrella will be ISO will have approved OEM replacement 9001 certified and will have a quality part suppliers that will be verified to management system in place for meet industry standards and BMET members to benefit from.

Umbrella requirements.

The BMET Umbrella will have For the Third-Party BMETs qualified and well-trained third-party Third-party BMETs will receive marketBMETs that members may use as tempoing, lead generation, referrals and sales rary labor as needed. Since these BMETs support. The BMET Umbrella will will already be trained in the same system connect HTM departments who are of document control and software as the active members of the BMET Umbrella members, the learning curve, when joining PROOF APPROVED CHANGES NEEDED and in need of services and support with a participating organization, will be much third-party BMET members. Third-party shorterSIGN–OFF: and integration will be much CLIENT BMET service members will also receive smoother and more efficient. career advice, job placement and referrals.

Members of the Umbrella will have PLEASE CONFIRM THAT THE FOLLOWING ARE CORRECT

LOGO

PHONE NUMBER

WEBSITE

ADDRESS

Under the Umbrella, the third-party members may participate in shared and cost-effective health and fringe benefits available to them. Overall the third-party biomed services members will have lower overhead costs, more business opportunities and higher profit margins.

For the Regulatory Bodies The BMET Umbrella will help the regulatory bodies implement standards and changes/updates in a more efficient manner in one place rather than reaching health care organizations individually. Monitoring and auditing will also become much easier since all the BMET Umbrella members can be reached in one place. Additionally, the BMET Umbrella central office will be in close contact with regulatory bodies and

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will have a cooperative and collaborative relationship with them.

Regulatory bodies such as TJC may use the BMET Umbrella as a referral source for reaching potential clients seeking accreditation.

For the Health Care Facilities Health care facilities will enjoy many benefits from the BMET Umbrella.

Overall quality, safety and reliability of medical equipment will be positively impacted.

Health care facilities will be meeting biomed industry standards at a faster pace. The BMET Umbrella will serve as a benchmark for health care facilities. It will boost confidence and provide peace of mind. Furthermore, it will lower HTM department costs through cost sharing

and lower equipment downtime via easy access to effective and efficient technology and better trained third-party BMETs. Also, the BMET Umbrella will provide health care facilities with a single standard document control system that will make billing and financing smoother across the different branches of the organization.

BRINGING IT ALL TOGETHER The BMET Umbrella will improve patient experience and safety, lower health care cost, improve health care delivery. It will also make implementation and integration of new medical technology easier.

While it’s often difficult for hospitals and HTM departments to make sure they’re saving every cent possible, joining

the BMET Umbrella will help ensure that costs are kept down while quality of service improves. Many of these tools and resources do require initial investments up front, in the form of both time and money, but they will pay off in the long run through increased efficiency and better equipment management.

HTM managers must work with hospital executives to adopt the BMET Umbrella program, as described above, in order to help improve their department efficiency, lower their cost of operations and save their facilities time and money in the long run.

YAHYA S. GHAZANFAR is a clinical engineering consultant and the CEO of Advantage Biomedical Services. For more information, contact yahya@advantagebiomed.com.

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Using the wrong supplies can cause serious damage including delaminated transducer heads, failure of leakage tests, risk of patient shock, transducer and cable yellowing and cracking, degradation of the machine’s professional look and lower trade-in value.

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WEBINAR WEDNESDAY Series Reaches New Heights

T

he TechNation Webinar Wednesday series continues to receive rave reviews and reach new highs as more and more people in the HTM community login for the presentations.

The presentation “Nuclear Medicine Service: A Guide for Selecting the Right Service for Your Facility” sponsored by Universal Medical was described as “excellent.”

“An excellent balance of wellorganized and delivered prepared comments covering a range of issues in maintaining nuclear medicine system with panel of in-house experts at Universal Medical that offered excellent responses to questions,” attendee Rob

concluded with a Q&A session.

Another recent webinar, “Innovations in Ultrasound System Diagnostics,” dealt with the diagnostic imaging portion of HTM. The webinar, which was sponsored by Summit Imaging, was eligible for 1 CE credit from the ACI. Summit Imaging Manager of Global Education and Training Kyle Grozelle discussed new and emerging tools and skills to troubleshoot and diagnose equipment in-house effectively. He explained how this approach to servicing and maintaining ultrasound equipment allows for a lower cost and reduced downtime. He showed how to use tools available in any biomed shop along with the knowledge of technicians

the years and they offer such a convenience in the material. Some are good, some great and some are simply fantastic,” Lee W. said. “This webinar would fall under fantastic and it grabbed my interest enough to send an email to my boss inquiring about the hosted product.”

“Great webinar on further in-house and third-party ultrasound service, that is not dependent on the OEM,” Robert M. wrote.

“This was a great webinar for me as a biomed who is very new to the ultrasound field. I am also happy to hear that Summit Imaging has such great support for us biomeds. Nice to find another company to call when we have equipment down. I am passing on their

“These Webinar Wednesdays are not only a great way to obtain CBET recertification credits but are no doubt a great educational development tool, especially for smaller organizations that might not get as much training/cross education from other employees or surrounding areas.” - Brian J. D. wrote in his post-webinar survey.

“Nuclear Medicine Service: A Guide for Selecting the Right Service for Your Facility” also offered attendees the opportunity to earn 1 CE credit from the ACI. Craig Snodgrass, National Service Manager at Universal Medical, did an outstanding job providing information to attendees. He discussed choosing an independent service provider, selecting the ideal type of service contract, best practices one should be performing, and using fully reconditioned parts versus “as is” used parts. The webinar

to examine common symptoms and errors. Grozelle also discussed the installation of common parts that sometimes require additional steps and configuration to restore a system to working order.

He set aside time to answer questions posted by webinar attendees.

At the conclusion of the presentation, attendees had gained knowledge and skills that enable them to diagnose a wide variety of ultrasound equipment as well as the resources to repair a system to full functionality.

“I’ve attended several webinars over

EMPOWERING THE BIOMEDICAL/HTM PROFESSIONAL

info to all my other co-workers,” Stephanie S. said.

The Bayer MVS sponsored webinar “Mitigating Catastrophic TEE Transducer Failures Through Process Analysis” was a hit with 716 attendees.

Bayer Multi Vendor Service Technical and Clinical Specialist Ted Lucidi, CBET, shared proven methods of reducing catastrophic TEE transducer failures. Rather than merely presenting attendees with common modes of failure, he provided root cause analysis from a clinical point of view. The outcome was that webinar attendees are

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BY YAHYA SAYED GHAZANFAR

now able to audit clinical environments, perform gap analysis and recommend process improvements that will ultimately impact the severity of, frequency of and cost of supporting these sensitive devices.

The program Lucidi shared has been proven to reduce catastrophic failures and, until the webinar, has been exclusively available to customers of Bayer Multi Vendor Service.

Attendees shared their thoughts about the webinar via a survey.

“The webinar was very informative on providing cost-saving techniques regarding the TEE probes,” Kim B. wrote in her survey.

“This is the fourth webinar I have attended. All have been interesting.

Some of the subjects, including this one today, do not pertain to equipment I am responsible for; but I always gain some valuable knowledge,” Richard W. said.

“This webinar was the best one I have attended so far it was not just a sales pitch and the information that I learned will surely help me in my future endeavors,” Charles K. wrote.

David Francoeur, senior director, brand and quality, at Sodexo Clinical Technology Management (CTM), recently presented the webinar “Why is There More Test Equipment than Qualified and Talented HTM Individuals?” Participation in the webinar was eligible for 1 CE credit from the ACI. In the Sodexo CTM-sponsored webinar, Francoeur discussed details regarding the current state for resources in the HTM industry. He provided an update on educational institutions providing degrees related to the industry. He also covered opportunities for improvement, open dialog for engagement and what action can be taken to improve the situation.

At the end of the session, participants

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understood the current status of the HTM profession as it relates to schools, and an aging workforce. They also learned the harsh reality about the number of declining schools and the void being created by the retirement of experienced HTM professionals.

Francoeur also discussed the declining opportunities created by a reduction in the number of schools providing the degrees associated with the HTM profession. The webinar concluded with an insightful Q&A session.

The webinar received high marks from attendees and positive comments were included on a post-webinar survey.

“Great speaker, great subject, we need more subjects like this that do not feel like a sales pitch but are here to better inform us and help us out in the field,” Charles K. wrote in his survey.

“Easily, the best webinar to date (I have been in on the past four),” James S. wrote.

“Thank you David for a very thoughtful webinar. My initial reason for listening is the all-important points to maintain my CBET, but found this to be an interesting presentation. He gave me some new material to use in promoting the field to prospective candidates I encounter,” Jon C. wrote.

The TechNation Webinar Wednesday Series continues to receive compliments after each session.

“These Webinar Wednesdays are not only a great way to obtain CBET recertification credits but are no doubt a great educational development tool, especially for smaller organizations that might not get as much training/cross education from other employees or surrounding areas. This helps limit the cost to maintain your accreditation as well,” Brian J. wrote.

“We don’t get much new technology training as biomeds. Webinar Wednesday has been a great tool for me

to get my technicians a little more information than they had the day before,” Paul N. shared.

“The Webinar Wednesday Series is the awesomesauce on my pancakes,” Jewel N. exclaimed.

“Just when you think you’ve got your bases covered, TechNation webinars add knowledge to your technical database,” wrote Justin R. “The Webinar Wednesday series provides a valuable service to the in-house service personnel by making quality information available at no cost and not having to travel to a training session off-site,” Stan R. shared.

“If Siskel & Ebert were still alive, they would both give Webinar Wednesdays two thumbs up,” Michael N. wrote.

“TechNation has become my number one source for on-the-job education,” Tim B. said.

“I fi nd the Webinar Wednesday to be full of vital information. The variety of topics that they cover should keep everyone looking at what is being offered next,” Joe D. wrote.

FOR DETAILS ABOUT the TechNation Webinar Wednesday series, including a schedule of upcoming presentations and recordings of previous sessions, visit 1TechNation.com/webinars.

TECHNATION WEBINAR WEDNESDAY would like to thank the sponsors who participated in thie webinars featured in this article.

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ROUNDTABLE

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ROUNDTABLE

ROUNDTABLE Ultrasound

I

n this issue of TechNation, we examine ultrasound systems. These diagnostic imaging devices have made several advances over the years with many more uses in the hospital setting. Point-of-care systems make exams possible almost anywhere.

We sought the insights of industry professionals to shine more light on ultrasound systems.

Industry professionals participating in this roundtable article on ultrasounds include Said Bolorforosh, Ph.D., President and Head, Siemens Healthineers Medical Solutions Inc., Ultrasound; Andrew Geidel, National Sales Manager, MW Imaging; Leon A. Gugel, President, Metropolis International LLC; James Rickner, Global Training Director, Conquest Imaging; Michael Thomas, Director of Marketing, Ampronix Medical Imaging Technology; and Jeff Volpp, Director of Sales and Marketing, GMI LLC.

Q: What are the fundamental functions health care facilities must have in an ultrasound system?

Said Bolorforosh, Ph.D., Siemens Heathineers Bolorforosh: Health care facilities must have excellent image quality to improve diagnostic confidence, workflow efficiency, system portability, upgrade capabilities and premium service.

Geidel: Compact, ease of operation, and mobility. Systems are being redesigned to be more streamlined, lighter, less components, user-friendly, and most of all, have much greater mobility. The cost of the system must fit into the facility’s budget. Furthermore, you have to consider support for your asset, such as software updates, parts availability, and applications training. All these add up to a more comfortable environment for both the tech and the patient.

Gugel: The basic and most frequent ones are easy supportability, parts, probes and to not be overly expensive.

Rickner: The ultrasound capabilities need to match the types of studies or exams that are conducted at the facility. For example: cardiac exams may require LVO, 2D and 4D strain, full cardiac measurement, etc. where an OB/GYN system must provide easy calculations, common measurements and women’s health specific reports, high-quality 2D image quality with option to do other types of scans such as 4D, elastography or Doppler. If the system will be used for multiple exams, it must have more probes than any single or dual application

EMPOWERING THE BIOMEDICAL/HTM PROFESSIONAL

system: phased array, specialized pediatric, TEE, 4D, linear, while, 2D convex for abdominal scans and endocavitary and 2D convex for women’s health to name a few.

Thomas: All ultrasound systems should include an array of features tailored to the facility’s needs and requirements. At the core level, the ultrasound system should have a high-speed CPU system, high-resolution display monitor, transducer pulse controls, touch screen or keyboard/cursor capabilities, a disk storage device, and a printer. Main features to consider would include a combination of versatility, durability and efficiency.

Volpp: It is very dependent on the department that is using the system. Most importantly, the vendor should be able to help them determine the standard and optional capabilities that their system will need to perform their studies and procedures. Of course, all departments will need to be aware of the system’s ability to connect to their PACS.

Q: What are the latest advances or significant changes in ultrasound systems in the past few years?

Bolorforosh: The most significant changes to hit the ultrasound industry in recent years include increased system computation power, workflow automation and improved quality, reduced system cost and greater system portability, and the rise of networking capabilities. These fundamental changes will influence the future of the ultrasound industry.

Andrew Geidel, MW Imaging Geidel: Image quality has improved exponentially in recent years with the addition of “high definition” also known as “4K resolution” to monitors and LCD displays.

Progressive “p” resolution has been proven to be the faster, clearer picture, and less prone to blurring therefor allowing radiologists/ cardiologists to calculate a much more defined diagnosis. I recently attended a seminar presented by LG introducing their new 4K resolution medical device monitors and I must say image quality was off the charts, absolutely incredible.

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Gugel: The majority of advances came in miniaturization. A lot of systems became smaller and more compact. A lot of portable systems, as well as a few algorithms that help in image quality as well.

Rickner: The most significant of all advances is the mobile ultrasound probe. It is becoming an increasingly disruptive technology for the entire medical imaging industry. A wired or wireless probe can now display an ultrasound image on most off-the-shelf tablets or even smartphones. The latest advances in FPGA and microprocessor technology have allowed the larger ultrasound systems on a rolling cart, to shrink down to mere ones and zeros in the form of software apps. Image processing has come a long way allowing for the smaller, more mobile stand-alone probe to challenge its predecessor with the larger systems in most aspects including 3D and 4D imaging. The market has been picking up slowly as more and more skeptical providers are embracing portable systems. According to The Wall Street Journal, the technology has the potential to save the medical industry billions of dollars in health care cost as a portable probe is only a fraction of what the large cart-based system costs.

Michael Thomas, Ampronix Medical Imaging Technology

Thomas: There really has been a proliferation of advancements over the last few years. Some to highlight would be the creation of hand-held ultrasound devices and the adaptation of 3D and 4D ultrasound system capabilities. Also, image quality has vastly improved due to technology advances in transducer sensitivity. Previously, machines were only able to capture a single image, but now they are able to capture images through multiple planes simultaneously allowing for a more complete picture.

Volpp: Quite a few actually. In the cardiology world, strain rate and volume imaging are being used more frequently to assess cardiac function and provide insight into treatment plans. In the point-of-care world, strain and shearwave elastography are helping clinicians assess musculoskeletal injuries and quantify progress of therapeutic outcomes.

Q: What are the most important things to look for in an ultrasound system provider in regards to service and parts?

Bolorforosh: As we look ahead, the element of service is the key driver for our customers. All customers look for a partner

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that can basically back their system – a partner with the latest software as well as certified engineers in the field who are available 24/7 with global service coverage to address any customer issue. Customers also want assurances that systems were designed with great reliability in the fi rst place and that certified replacement parts are readily available. How many years can they keep the system in their clinic with a high level of performance and the ability to upgrade their systems to the latest available technology to protect their investment?

Customers should also look for an equipment provider that can tailor their service offerings for different types of customers. Some customers only look for one or two years of coverage; others might look for longer-term coverage.

Therefore, having that flexibility of service offerings is crucial.

Our remote service and remote support offerings are becoming more and more important, particularly for customers who seek a rapid response from the manufacturer.

Being able to perform system diagnostics remotely, provide information to the customer, and get the system up and running again quickly are all key drivers.

Geidel: Reputation, integrity, honesty are fi rst to come to mind. Call around, inquire, and get referrals and recommendations. Don’t be afraid to ask for training documentation. Look at length of time in business and check with your local BBB. Be sure to inquire about their “quality assurance” procedures and programs.

Gugel: Someone with a good reputation of course, that is always going to be paramount. Because in a rare case of something going wrong, that vendor will still make it right for the customer. Whether it is a part, a repair or a replacement.

Rickner: If you are buying any medical device today, you must think longevity and total cost of ownership. If the system is well thought of in the industry there were many sold and there are many in the market, then availability of parts, probes, and support will be readily available. You don’t want to pick an unpopular model and risk the manufacturer ending the life of a model prematurely, which will in turn make it difficult to find parts or someone to service it years down the road. If there are many in the market, you might even consider buying used since parts and service will not be an issue. If you require service, you should look for a model that allows you options once the unit is off of warranty – today options are power. Even if you want to stay with the OEM, if you know a model will lock out ISOs from servicing your system because of proprietary passwords, you know you will be locked into getting service from the OEM or their aftermarket service division.

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Thomas: Finding a qualified and reputable service provider that offers a quick turn-around time as well as offers a warranty on all repaired parts is essential. It is always better to work with a provider that not only can service a system but also has the capabilities of selling the customer a new or refurbished system if needed. If budgeting is a consideration make sure the provider is priced competitively and some providers will offer free evaluation of the repair if requested by the customer.

Volpp: Without question, providers should know the capabilities of their service companies. Where and how will service be delivered to minimize downtime? Additionally, do they have the technical knowledge to fix the problem on the first visit?

Q: What should health care facilities look for when purchasing an ultrasound system?

Bolorforosh: Health care facilities want a partnership with an equipment provider that fully understands the dynamics that they operate within – whether they be clinical, operational or financial – and that can address their needs with the right equipment, service offering, and level of consultation. Having a complete understanding of those three primary drivers for each customer enables us to develop a tailored solution. Our customers want a partner who knows what the drivers are and who can translate them into relevant solutions and products.

Geidel: There several items of importance that need to be considered when embarking into the ultrasound market. First and foremost, know your budget and your needs. Consider consulting with an applications person or sonographer in advance so you can achieve the most out of your investment.

Additionally, consider the applications/options and probes that you will be using along with mobility and ease of use.

And, lastly, consider how you want to pay for your investment. Leasing is always a viable option keeping in mind how you want to manage your ROI. Leon A. Gugel, Metropolis International LLC Gugel: The fi rst thing to look at is the actual vendor. The vendor must have the ability to service and care for the system they are selling. Price and supportability share a spot in this as well. There are more ultrasound manufacturers than any other modality and most are good units, so it does truly come down to the vendor and extreme pricing.

EMPOWERING THE BIOMEDICAL/HTM PROFESSIONAL

Jim Rickner, Conquest Imaging Rickner: Besides quality of image, compatibility with types of exams and reliability, longevity and total cost of ownership must be a part of the decision. There should be many in the market (see answer to previous question). They should not have a larger number of high-failing parts compared to similar systems. Consider buying refurbished only when buying from a trusted service partner who will keep you up and running past the warranty period at a familiar rate.

Thomas: First and foremost, health care facilities should look for a reputable company who has established a long history in providing quality products and has satisfied customers.

Facilities should always look for new or refurbished systems with a warranty in place so they are not held responsible for faulty machinery and are prepared if an issue arises. They should also assess their budget for the system, their specific use of the system, which features are most important for their application, and whether or not they are looking for a portable or console system.

Volpp: The fi rst priority should be to make sure the system will have everything necessary to accomplish their clinical goals/needs. This is where a trusted vendor partner is so valuable to accurately assess their needs and couple that with the appropriate system. Once the system is chosen, downstream service availability is often overlooked. Make sure you are working with a vendor that can support all of your needs and minimize your risks.

Q: What else do you think TechNation readers need to know about purchasing and servicing an ultrasound system?

Bolorforosh: First, they should determine whether the equipment provider they are considering can offer manufacturer-certified parts at the fastest possible speed.

Secondly, they should make sure that the equipment provider can readily access information 24/7 pertaining to a specific equipment model so that when the need arises, they can quickly provide the information and parts necessary to get the equipment operating again. Finally, they should consider the fact that we operate in a space that is regulated heavily by the Food and Drug Administration and other health care industry bodies. For this reason, making sure that an equipment provider adheres to strict regulatory requirements for all aspects of our business is also key.

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ROUNDTABLE

Geidel: You have quite a number of options when it comes to ultrasound. I sometimes scratch my head when I see all the spin offs and startups in the ultrasound industry and on the same token, how quickly they disappear. Look for entities that encompass what’s on the horizon, new technologies and advancement, as well as supporting the existing and end-of-life platforms. As I profess to tell all my new/potential customers, “Just give us a chance, give us a test drive, kick the tires, and let us show you how we bring new life into ultrasound!”

Thomas: I would encourage the readers to do their due diligence on what options they want in an ultrasound system.

Most facilities use the same ultrasound systems for 10-plus years, so it is important to try and purchase a system with all of the features dependent on what the facility can afford. If they are not able to purchase a new system, consider purchasing a refurbished system which in most cases still will come with a comparable warranty as a new system would.

Gugel: The amount of power a unit will have in generating frequency signals, meaning the trend the last five years or more hasAPPROVED been in portable units,CHANGES however they NEEDED lack the power PROOF of a full grade hospital unit. As such, this “trend” has an impactSIGN–OFF: on actual patient exams.

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Volpp: Budget is such a difficult task for providers to manage as they are making a decision to purchase or service their equipment.

Rarely is the least expensive option Rickner: Frequency: how deep will the waves penetrate.

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COVERSTORY

A Free-Market Solution to Self-Reliance

BY K. RICHARD DOUGLAS

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COVERSTORY

raining has become a potpourri of opportunities with technology playing a big role in its evolution. The Internet has been a game-changer with the convenience and cost savings of online resources making training resources as close as your favorite easy chair.

For the HTM professional, the variety and variations of training resources is expansive and comes in many stripes.

From OEM and third-party offerings, in-house to fortuitous share-theknowledge opportunities, conference training to the aforementioned online opportunities, the choices are numerous.

The factors that seem to drive the decision process are often budget, convenience, depth, and the availability of things like manuals, a keypass or passwords. There are as many opinions about what source of training is best as there are resources for training.

Different approaches to training are favored for different types of equipment and the cost of the different forms of training begs the question; where do you get the most bang for your buck?

HTM PERSPECTIVE The choice of which route to take for any given HTM department is a judicious one that considers cost, practicality and availability. There tends to be some consistency in the reasoning

EMPOWERING THE BIOMEDICAL/HTM PROFESSIONAL

and rationale for choosing one source or another among HTM leadership.

Variables are often the experience of a department’s technicians and engineers, budgetary concerns, negotiated contracts and the modalities for which training is required.

“The option of OEM training versus ISO training is dependent on the equipment and the experience of the engineer going to training and budget constraints for implementing the training. For equipment, where service keys or software is required and only provided to OEM-trained engineers, it is best to seek that training from the OEM and work to reduce your training costs,” says Rob Bundick, manager of HTM and biomedical engineering at ProHealth Care in Waukesha, Wisconsin.

“OEM training is typically more expensive, but the costs can be reduced by partnering with them at the time of purchase, or by developing service options that allow for training at a discount,” Bundick adds.

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The OEM route may be the only option for newer systems, says Rick Walston, regional director of clinical engineering services at Adventist Health in St. Helena, California.

“For systems that have been on the market for a while, the third-party companies in this industry have done a pretty good job teaching a tech pretty much everything they need to know,” he says.

“We use both the manufacturer and ISOs for training. It depends on the modality that you need training on.

Manufacturers tend to have good training on their products, where ISOs might cover multiple manufacturers during training. We also cross train our own technicians from those who attended training,” says Douglas Dreps, MBA, director of eastern regional operations-clinical engineering services for Mercy Health in St. Louis, Missouri.

“Sometimes the OEM training goes just far enough to allow a service technician the ability to perform standard PM/calibrations, but not deep enough to troubleshoot the more difficult problems,” says Mike Busdicker, MBA, CHTM, system director of clinical engineering for Intermountain Healthcare.

“Some of my past experience has shown me that some ISO training gets more in-depth, and hands-on, with specific types of equipment. With that being said, I do believe there is a need to regulate, control, and certify training organizations,” Busdicker says. “The objective would be to ensure service personnel are getting the appropriate level of training to ensure equipment function along with patient and staff safety.”

He adds that when it comes to the higher end equipment like CT, MR, and lab analyzers, he believes that there is a need for specialized training.

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Christopher Nowak, CBET, CHP, CSCS, corporate senior director of healthcare technology management at Universal Health Services of Delaware Inc. in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, says that his department uses a combination of OEM and third-party education.

The parts cost, risk, high degree of complexity, and the need for uptime on critical equipment dictates where we assign the need for training.”

- Alan L. McDuff “The decision on how to educate, OEM or third-party, is dependent on the product/modality and the available education. We tend to use third-party education more frequently for imaging technologies due to the availability of the education and the reputation of the education providers,” Nowak says “Even the OEMs use the third-parties for imaging technology education for the OEM staff multi-vendor service.

For modalities such as anesthesia, patient monitoring, and laboratory devices, we tend to use OEM education.

The availability of these modality-type education schools drives this decision process. I really do not see a quality problem using either educational pathway and each delivers the value that we are looking for to develop the

skill-sets of the team.”

Parsing the training/equipment paradigm further reveals that there are some preferences in choosing one mode of training over another.

“The OEM education seems to work well for us for technologies such as patient monitoring, anesthesia systems, laboratory equipment, nurse call and other type systems. Third-party education seems to work well for the imaging systems that we support,” Nowak says.

He says that from time-to-time, his department does use OEM service education on imaging gear, but that it is does not occur very frequently. He also says that there are medical devices that can be serviced through self-education.

“For general imagining and advanced imaging courses, the ISOs give a good overview for technicians entering the service field for imaging devices,” Dreps says. “Most manufacturers do not recognize specific training on their devices from ISOs. What this means is, they will not give us shared contracts or service keys, unless we attend their technical training. ISOs offer some good training with many of the trainers being former manufacturer technicians. For biomedical training we tend to use the manufacturer as it’s model specific and not many ISOs have training for these devices.”

Bundick says that training opportunities also need to consider the skill level of the participating biomeds.

“For equipment that does not require OEM training for service keys or software, the ISO training is a viable option. The consideration of the engineer’s experience should be factored into training, selecting the appropriate class though,” Bundick says.

“Most ISOs provide both entry-level training and [a] more advanced-level

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COVERSTORY

training for equipment. The key is selecting the right class for the engineer to get the best value out of the training,” he adds.

From a purely return on investment (ROI) perspective, the decision-making process becomes more narrowed.

“By far, the better ROI is with third parties because their cost is usually around one-quarter to one-third the cost of OEM tuition cost,” Walston says.

“The parts cost, risk, high degree of

efficiency for both the department and the biomedical engineer,” says James Rickner, global training director at Conquest Imaging. “The objective is to diagnose the root cause of the problem, replace that part or probe, and allow the biomed to move onto their other responsibilities.”

“Taught from biomed/field service perspective, we place a high priority on hands-on training. When a student leaves our training they are confident in

“AllParts is developing real-time, remote-based training that is delivered by an instructor. This is supported by webcam streaming video of the system, a participant Q&A, and a quiz to verify understanding of the material,” Gerler adds.

Kyle Grozelle, manager of global education and training at Summit Imaging, says that his company

I see blended education on the near horizon. Technology will continue to create versatility in the education process.

However, technology at this point, will not be able to provide you with the critical hands-on experience an engineer will need.” complexity, and the need for uptime on critical equipment dictates where we assign the need for training,” says Alan L. McDuff, manager of imaging equipment specialists at DCH Regional Medical Center.

“Above all, having trained personnel in-house, on site is the determining factor to maintain uptime. uptime is all the director of radiology, cardiology, and cancer center want,” he adds.

THIRD-PARTY PROVIDERS Feedback from biomed leaders make clear that there is an important place for the third-party provider in the training equation. They fi ll a strategic role in targeted training with an eye on ROI. “We don’t do component-level troubleshooting. Our approach is to quickly troubleshoot and repair an ultrasound system, which leads to high

- Jeremy Probst

performing their ultrasound PM, repair and evaluation duties,” he adds.

Offering more than 50 unique courses spanning nearly every imaging modality, AllParts focuses on spending time in the lab troubleshooting.

“AllParts Medical, a Philips Company, training programs are event-based and hands-on. Our courses are designed around time-tested troubleshooting methodologies and continuously updated with the latest feedback from field service engineers,” says Richard Gerler, director of technical services and support for AllParts. “We employ solid foundational fault isolation techniques, so students gain the confidence to service the most complex systems.”

Gerler says that the leveraging of technology to provide remote training, learning and support is a trend and what he sees for training in the future.

EMPOWERING THE BIOMEDICAL/HTM PROFESSIONAL

approaches training based on thinking of medical devices as computers.

“Students learn how all the PCBs communicate with the central operating system to more accurately diagnose problems in the field to reduce equipment downtime,” Grozelle says. “An integral part of the training is the use of Adepto, our patent-pending software that allows clinical engineers to instantly diagnose and resolve service issues that would traditionally require an outsourced service call to the OEM.” Dale Cover Jr., president and COO of Radiological Service Training Institute (RSTI) believes that the hands-on approach is going to endure despite advances in distance learning,.

“At some point, there may be some breakthroughs in virtual reality that could change how training can be delivered.

Sooner or later you still have to lay hands

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COVERSTORY

Probably the biggest advantage for us has been the ability to blend our teaching curriculum to exercise multiple teaching methods for the student and the instructor. The combination of in-class training, simulation, and postcourse performance support has proven to help the student remember and retain vital learning.” -Art Larson on hardware. If you are performing lab functions at your own facility, without an instructor there to guide you and have problems with the process, you may leave a system non-functional and fixing it may require a level of expertise you have yet to acquire,” Cover says.

He says that RSTI employs what is referred to as “Fully Engaged Learning.”

“The student has the opportunity to be completely immersed in the training by attending classes at our unmatched training facility. This reduces the day-to-day distractions they may encounter at their workplace and allows them to concentrate on the learning objectives,” Cover says.

Robert Bell, director of education, Tri-Imaging Solutions also bcks a hands-on approach to training.

“While books, powerpoint, and lectures are a necessary evil, we also know the value of continuous relating of the classroom material reinforced by the laboratory work,” Bell says.

Online resources are also an important tool when it comes to training.

“We believe the online aspects, already used by universities, OEMs, and a multitude of businesses will continue to evolve and shorten time spent away from the facility,” Bell explains. “Employers need trained and knowledgeable technicians, and techs need training which is

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up-front, to the point, and results in ROI for the company/hospital/employer, as well as themselves as each of us continues to grow. As an employer, you want your technician trained in the shortest amount of time, for the least cost, and back at your facility conducting PMs and repairs you used to pay for in a contract!”

In looking to the future, Jeremy Probst, chief operating officer at Technical Prospects sees a combination of both approaches.

“I see blended education on the near horizon. Technology will continue to create versatility in the education process.

However, technology at this point, will not be able to provide you with the critical hands-on experience an engineer will need,” Probst says. “This being said, I am sure someone somewhere is working on electronic hands on virtual training experiences. I can see these to be very valuable as modules for upcoming service work.”

It’s no surprise that Technical Prospects uses both a hands-on and online approach to training. Probst says that engineers who are sent to his facility “are able to work on many different configurations of the systems that they are being trained on. In many cases, our courses are a family of equipment.”

Software, and the interpretation of that software, will factor into changes on

the horizon, according to Grozelle.

“We see clinical engineers needing to understand the functionality of the ultrasound application software across many different systems in their hospital to more quickly and accurately diagnosis failures,” he says. “The sophistication of the ultrasound application software will only continue to displace the functionality of PCBs as they evolve and the useful data collected can be leveraged to increase the in-house clinical engineering capabilities to lower total cost of ownership.”

Rickner says that one change he has seen at Conquest in recent years is centered on operating systems.

“The industry has moved away from a board-based system, using numerous circuit boards, to using a WindowsT-based computer interfaced with minimal circuit boards. In many ways this has simplified troubleshooting techniques, but has introduced proprietary restrictions. We teach solutions and workarounds that do not violate intellectual propriety laws,” Rickner adds.

OEMS VIEWPOINT For many, there are precise reasons they go to the OEM for training. Those reasons can include service keys or software, but also stipulations outlined in contracts. The OEMs are responding to the needs of the market along with

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COVERSTORY

embracing the latest technology for simulated training.

“We use, almost exclusively, on the high-end/high-risk equipment, OEM training for several reasons,” says McDuff. “Along with support from the director of radiology, we negotiate the cost of training and proprietary licensing into the purchase cost of any new or replacement equipment. If I have an entry-level technician, we negotiate a full ‘ground up’ training package. If it will be a platform upgrade, then only the upgrade portion of training is purchased.”

The experience allows technicians to provide cross training to the rest of the team.

“We offer two training options to in-house equipment service professionals. First, they may join the same classes our GE service professionals take at the GE Healthcare Institute in Wisconsin.

We value the exchange of talent between in-house and GE service professionals.

Secondly, they may choose to learn at their site using our simulation technology for CT, MR and vascular equipment,” says Art Larson, general manager of global services training at GE Healthcare.

“Regardless of choice, we are looking at ways to integrate a blended learning approach through hands-on experience simulation during a course, as well as performance support following completion of a course,” Larson adds.

Larson says that the advent of higher tech approaches to training have been favorably received.

“They appreciate the flexibility of offering training in multiple locations.

Beyond initial learning, the concept of using the technology to reinforce behaviors and practice specific procedures has been invaluable,” he says.

Since retention is a critical part of learning new skills, he says that a combination approach helps.

“Probably the biggest advantage for us has been the ability to blend our teaching curriculum to exercise multiple teaching methods for the student and the instructor. The combination of in-class training, simulation, and post-course performance support has proven to help the student remember and retain vital learning,” Larson explains.

Simulation training is an area that has transformed training methodologies. GE has invested in this approach and partnered with their engineer’s 3D CAD drawings to simulate the structure of their systems. Gaming technology comes into play to allow students to experience the interaction as if it is real.

Siemens Healthineers tries to tailor training to the needs of the customer.

Training is a part of a new service-offering portfolio that approaches the customer base holistically. The approach supports the growth of a biomed department’s program.

“Because of the consolidation in health care, we’re seeing more of these larger organizations build their in-house biomed programs to do some of the fi rst-line and second-line service on their imaging equipment,” says Edgar Alvarez, director of service business management for Siemens Healthineers.

The four-pronged approach that Siemens Healthineers uses, according to Alvarez, includes staff development, standardization, optimizing service delivery and facilitating enterprise growth. Siemens has officially unveiled their new approach. What is new in the delivery of their approach is a 360-degree monitoring process.

Siemens Healthineers asks biomed

EMPOWERING THE BIOMEDICAL/HTM PROFESSIONAL

departments the same question that we asked biomed leadership; how are you segmenting your in-house training? What are the needs of someone in the ER versus someone in radiology? The company will map out an approach for each customer depending on their needs. Siemens Healthineers has a program that provides training required to ensure successful implementation of the customer’s plan.

Alvarez says that in the future, there could be a product similar to Google Glass that allows the engineers at Siemens Healthineers to see what the biomed tech sees. There are a couple of business units at Siemens looking into this technology.

Training for those in the HTM and imaging profession may be one of the best examples of free-market solutions.

The avenues for training are plentiful and the quality of training is top-notch.

As the market gets more competitive, the value of training can be more tailored to the needs of any HTM department.

In the end, a well-trained department can take on the challenges of a wide variety of products.

“Through use of the operator and service documentation, including video resources, a well qualified healthcare technology management professional can service a large variety of medical devices including imaging and laboratory gear,” Nowak says.

“To have a viable in-house service team, the level of expertise is essential. It is a continuous training process that will never come to completion,” McDuff adds.

As in any profession, it is personal growth that benefits both the individual and their employer, and continuous training is key to growth.

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EXPERT ADVICE

BY CINDY STEPHENS

CAREER CENTER

Creating an Effective Resume That Stands Out

T

he job market is improving, but the competition remains very intense. Whether you’re currently looking for a job or are satisfied with the one you have, you should always keep your resume up-to-date highlighting your career achievements.

You never know when the perfect new opportunity might come along for you. Therefore, you’ll want to have your most important marketing tool (your updated resume) on hand when an opportunity presents itself.

A well-written resume acts like a good advertisement, enticing the reader to learn more about you through personal contact.

It should include only the key facts and features — the selling points — that are relevant to the reader’s interests and needs. Your resume should reflect just the right blend of responsibilities, accomplishments, and career highlights to give yourself a truly competitive advantage in today’s competitive market.

Most human resource professionals and hiring managers must screen through resumes quickly and will toss a resume aside within a few seconds if the content does not grab their attention or if the format does not highlight the candidate’s career success.

To be effective, your resume must be clear, concise, and relevant to the job you are applying for, and it must stand out from the others. Paying attention to even the tiniest details can help your resume dazzle employers. You must be sure your resume is accurate and reflects you as a person to be hired or promoted.

The basic resume should include some key sections, and although a cover letter and reference list are very important, they are not part of the actual resume.

HEADER/IDENTIFICATION Be sure this section includes your full name, complete home address, phone number, and email address. Ensure your email address is professional, and not

the point, and tailored to each position and employer you are targeting.

The summary is an overview of your key characteristics, and highlights specific qualifications, skills, and years of experience. This is the perfect place to customize one to four bullet points or sentences about the value you bring to the employer.

CINDY STEPHENS Stephens International Recruiting, Inc.

one that can be misunderstood as inappropriate.

OBJECTIVE AND/OR SUMMARY Always include an objective statement, and, if you wish, you can include a summary. You want to stand out to your prospective employer. Ensure you keep your objective statement current to new trends in your career field. For example, we are in the Healthcare Technology Management field as biomedical equipment technicians or imaging equipment service technicians.

The objective statement is the fi rst opportunity to sell yourself. It shows focus, organization, and clarity. The objective statement is your personal goal for your professional career and the specific position you are applying for.

The statement should be short and to

EMPOWERING THE BIOMEDICAL/HTM PROFESSIONAL

EXPERIENCE Hiring officials want to know you are prepared to accept the responsibility of the position and that you have been successful in your previous positions.

Begin with the most recent position and work back through your employment history. For each position, list the dates of employment, name of the organization, location (city, state), and the title of your position for the last 10 years.

Do not write paragraphs. Keep it simple with a list of bulleted highlights.

Many recruiters and HR professionals rely on key words to find candidates. If you are specialized in certain areas such as imaging, use key words that apply to your field and avoid acronyms.

Remember, you may know what you do, but someone in HR who searches for candidates ranging from accountants to biomedical equipment technicians or X-ray service technicians does not.

Perhaps even more important than your employment record is showing your performance and accomplishments throughout your a career. This section should focus on your skills such as what

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EXPERT ADVICE

you have done to improve operations or services, reduce costs, enhance procedures, etc.

Relevant Skills – Your skill set is what defines your marketability. Be sure you represent it clearly and accurately. Identify skills that are relevant to the position you are applying for and those that make you the most qualified candidate. Highlight your skills with emphasis on how you used them successfully in each position.

Also mention specific licenses or certification you have that are important to the position.

Measurable Accomplishments – In today’s competitive market, job seekers must understand the needs of potential employers and demonstrate their ability to add value to the organization. Use concrete measurements to define your accomplishments, how you contributed to the success of your previous employers and, when applicable, tie in dollar figures or percentages. You need to demonstrate that you are above the average employee and that you made a positive contribution to your company.

EDUCATION & TRAINING Include your most recent education first.

List the date, the degree, major, and institution attended. Mention any academic honors and specific certification received. Then, list in chronological order with your most recent training first, certifications, certificates of training, and advanced training, along with the specific training and institution attended. If you are applying directly for a position that requires specific training or certification, be sure it is highlighted here.

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BY CINDY STEPHENS

AWARDS & ACHIEVEMENTS List awards or honors you received, or specific achievements. List leadership and involvement in volunteer organizations as well as membership or participation in associations.

You might not think much about how your resume is formatted, but please do! As a professional recruiting firm, we filter through hundreds of resumes each week and it still surprises me that many candidates continue to submit resumes with simple mistakes and format errors.

A few good examples of tossing out a resume quickly when we attempted to contact candidates: A candidate recently submitted a resume with one digit of the phone number typed incorrectly.

Another candidate did not have her voicemail set up, and another candidate’s voicemail box was “full” so you could not leave messages. Many candidates leave off their home address and it quickly puts them at the bottom for consideration because the resume is incomplete. Details do matter!

Review and edit your resume a final time to ensure it reflects you as a person an employer wants to hire. Be critical of everything from the layout to language used. Ensure everything is accurate including your name, phone numbers, address, email, dates of employment… everything. When you “think” you are ready, ask someone else to proof it.

ADDITIONAL RESUME TIPS Avoid using fancy templates and formatting. Using “headers” can create problems when uploading resumes to on-line data bases. The headers don’t always transfer into the database, thus dropping the most important

information – your name and contact information. Also, the resume is usually put in a plain text format. This means text boxes are lost leaving a jumbled mess of dates and positions without formatting.

Keep your resume to a maximum of two pages that are clearly written.If printing, use a high-quality white or cream paper.

To ensure readability, use the same font throughout and keep the size to 11 or 12 point. Use a bolded and slightly larger font for headings so they stand out. Save bold and italics for headings only, and avoid underlining all together.

• Be consistent in the format for phone numbers and dates throughout the resume.

• Check your spelling and grammar carefully. It counts!

• Present yourself accurately and positively. Avoid embellishments.

• Don’t use long complicated sentences, slang, text symbols, jargon or “buzz” words.

• Keep it professional and do not include hobbies or personal information (kids, family, etc.).

• Never include your desired salary.

• Don’t list references on your resume – keep it separate.

While a well-written resume cannot guarantee an interview, one that is poorly written or formatted can put you at the bottom of the pile fast. Be sure you have created an effective resume that stands out, giving you the to give yourself an competitive advantage in today’s competitive market. By highlighting your career achievements and accurately reflecting yourself as a person qualified to be hired or promoted!

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EXPERT ADVICE

BY MICHAEL DAVIS

Sponsored by

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O

ften a defective piece of hardware is thought to be the cause of a system error, and in most cases this is true. However, that is not always the case. Here is my story of a recent example I encountered while working on an ultrasound system.

I had methodically disassembled the ultrasound machine including all the parts on the front end, carefully documenting with photos of all the cable and screw locations. Each group of screws got its own plastic cup with labels. After cleaning all the pieces of hardware, I reassembled the system. I ensured that all the cables and screws where exactly where they belonged.

I powered up the machine and everything was booting exactly as it should. That is, until I received a system configuration error. Not only did the system produce an error, it was not even reading the correct model. It should have shown a version 10 but it was reading a version 6.

What went wrong?

I powered off the system and began to check all the connections to see what I had missed. Everything looked exactly like it should according to the photos I took. I disassembled and reassembled the system with the exact same error. The only possible cause I could think of was a corrupted drive,

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so I installed a clean drive and proceeded to load the software. Again, I experienced the same error.

Thinking back to my training, I realized that the system was booting in demo mode. This only happens when the back end is unable to communicate with the front end of the system. I removed the entire front end assembly and fully disassembled it. It was only two boards so it was not very difficult. I decided to check the riser cards that connect the two boards. As I pressed down I heard a click on all three risers. I reattached the two boards insuring that I fully seated all the risers. Upon reinstalling the board, the system booted all the way into imaging mode with no issues.

A piece of hardware that is not seated is the cause of many ultrasound issues.

Here are some other causes to check: • A loose cable on the hard drive will cause a multitude of issues, from not booting to not being able to read the required transducer fi les.

• A loose I-BUTTON on a Philips iU22/iE33 will cause errors.

• A loose cable to the front end can cause a system to produce an error code or boot into simulation mode.

The parts can come loose simply from transporting the system from room to room and floor to floor. Going over thresholds, uneven flooring and even the

MICHAEL DAVIS Technical Support Specialist

occasional bump into the door can loosen hardware. If you have a system that moves around a lot you may want to start by looking for a loose cable or board. In my case, it happened because I was exchanging parts to perform tests.

My recommendation is to check all your connections when you are performing your preventative maintenance. A little extra time here will help save you time and effort in the long run.

FOR MORE ULTRASOUND TECHNICAL TIPS and tricks, or to view our technical support videos visit www.conquestimaging.com. Conquest Imaging Technical Support is available 24/7/365 at 866-900-9404.

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EXPERT ADVICE

BY STEVEN J YELTON

THE FUTURE

Cooperative Education from an HTM Department Perspective

I

have discussed cooperative education and internships in this column in the past. However, the focus of this column is to present from an employer’s perspective on how using cooperative education (co-op) students as an integral part of the HTM department personnel may enhance the overall performance of the department. Traditionally, this is a paid position where the student alternates between full-time school semesters and full-time work semesters. Two students who alternate with each other in school and work generally fill this type of position. This varies from a typical internship where the student generally works one or part of one semester usually for without compensation. I must mention, at this point, that these arrangements are certainly not in stone and compensation and work arrangements vary.

My focus will be to discuss the benefits of using a paid co-op position as part of the an HTM department staff.

In this arrangement, co-ops are productive members of the department, budgeted FTEs with job descriptions/ duties. The co-op student has learning objectives, they are mentored, and both the college and hospital evaluate the co-op and their experience. Co-ops are viewed as “multipliers,” specifically those individuals/positions that “enlarge the scope and effectiveness of others.”

Each co-op is required to do a medical technology presentation to the department each semester. The student receives college credit for their co-op experience. It is a job with learning built in. Finally, mentoring the co-op is critical, “one reaps what one sows” to borrow a biblical quote.

The benefits of the co-op students, in the hospital community, are a consistent source of prepared students to move into new or newly open entry-level positions upon graduation, regardless if it is in the program hospital where the student worked or another. Our recruiting costs are lowered. The time duration of unfilled positions drops. The co-op program for our community shapes the entire region’s HTM (providers, vendors, OEMs and ISOs). The co-op students’ role benefits the HTM department in other ways not always “hard” financial or “productive” reasons; they offer a resource to the rest of

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STEVEN J. YELTON, P.E., CHTM Senior Consultant for HTM, Christ Hospital Health Netowrk

the team, filling a less technical role, assists when a second person is needed, preparing equipment for on-boarding, i.e. a multiplier position. Employers not hiring co-op students also benefit, as they often hire “experienced” students trained courtesy of the co-op employers. The ongoing supply of experienced students in our region and regions where these programs exist accounts for the majority of the HTM (BMET) staff. Of course, there has to be enough employers to believe and commit to the co-op role for this to work. The reason is not about inexpensive labor or a steady supply of talent, it is because we all have a responsibility to train the next generation.

Student positions also offer the

opportunity for both parties to assess each other. Questions like “Is this a good fit for the student?” “Is this job what the student expected it to be?” “Is the employer happy with the co-op student’s performance/attitude?” “How is the student’s work ethic, communication, professionalism, customer satisfaction skills, and technical abilities?” If a position is available and there is a good student/ employer fit, then an employer gains a former student who seamlessly fi lls the position, with on-boarding, basic training and familiarity with the work environment completed and career path ready. This is also a substantial cost saving verses a national search for a HTM technician and even then the employer hasn’t had the experience of working with the candidate.

I feel that using this type of arrangement enables the creation of a highly functioning HTM department. It has been my experience that HTM departments that utilize this type of co-op arrangement or an internship fi nd it much easier to fi ll open positions and have a seamless flow of qualified technicians.

It has been my experience that employers have valued the cooperative education or internship experience when properly planned and executed as an extremely valuable addition to the student’s earned degree.

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EXPERT ADVICE

I would like to thank my colleague, Greg Herr of The Christ Hospital Health Network for his insights into this column as a career long employer of co-op students and interns. In our discussion of this topic Greg stated the following, “It has always been a point to establish internships or co-op positions during my career. It is both a benefit to the department and it gives back to the profession. But how does one justify the cost of a paid student? Co-ops/internships can be ineffective or effective positions, essentially the student positions must be set up and managed effectively, benefiting the employer and the student. A sound business case will show that co-ops are not a luxury, but a valuable resource.

Co-ops have to be planned and budgeted, built into the department. In my experience, trying to convince financially harried leadership of the need for a paid student position is difficult. What would you say? However, a student position sold as a productive technologist assigned duties with lower

EMPOWERING THE BIOMEDICAL/HTM PROFESSIONAL

thresholds of training/knowledge than a full-time specialist has been effective for us.”

In closing my column this month, I feel that Greg said it best: “It just isn’t about ROIs and financial benefits, students that are motivated and curious challenge and energize the regular staff. Teaching new skills or explaining how something works is a most rewarding experience.”

STEVEN J. YELTON, P.E., CHTM; is a Senior Consultant for HTM at The Christ Hospital Health Network in Cincinnati, Ohio and is a Professor at Cincinnati State Technical and Community College where he teaches biomedical instrumentation courses. He is the Secretary-Treasurer of AAMI’s Board of Directors, AAMI’s Foundation Board of Directors, Chair of AAMI’s Technology Management Council (TMC), Chair of AAMI’s HTAC Committee and is a member of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET), Board of Delegates.

JULY 2017

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EXPERT ADVICE

BY ALAN MORETTI

THOUGHT LEADER

Is bigger better or just getting smaller?

I

n our consumer-driven society, Americans demand more value for their dollars, which puts size in the spotlight. There is a mantra that “bigger is better.” Today’s average new home measures 2,225 square feet, up 50 percent from 1,500 square feet in 1970. We’re driving monster cars – some of the most popular SUVs measure 17 feet long and tip the scales at 4,850 pounds. The “in-home movie theater” concept has translated to 60-inch or larger smart televisions becoming a common sight in homes across our great country. Warehouse clubs allow people to save by buying in bulk. Fast-food restaurants have beefed up portions. What once constituted medium-sized French fries is now considered “small.” Do we chalk it up to a bettering economy, the lowering prices of “new technologies” or human nature and trying to keep up with the Joneses?

Before you jump on the bigger-is-better bandwagon, mull this over: the size of U.S. households is shrinking. In the 1970s the average household included 3.14 people, but in the 21st century, thus far, the average size is 2.33!

The world of current day healthcare technology parallels this phenomena where “bigger” is actually becoming smaller and better! Think about the physical size of today’s patient monitoring, ventilators, defibrillators and the latest ultrasound equipment that utilizes a “tablet-sized” box or a smartphone in which the transducer communicates wirelessly. The “footprint” of these examples shows how the physical size of devices, by my estimate of 30 percent or more, compares to earlier models. Models that are only about a decade old.

Let’s talk about early personal computers. They didn’t have “hard drives” or “cloud storage” instead, they relied on “floppy disks” for storing the few kilobits of data needed. In 1981, a

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ALAN MORETTI Healthcare Technology Management Advisor

new start-up company called “Apple” introduced its fi rst hard drive touting a whopping 5MB of data for about

$3,499. Using that same pricing ratio today one gigabyte of storage, which is hardly enough to store a few photos today, would cost about $700,000.

So, my HTM brothers and sisters, our world of medical equipment technologies continues to advance at speeds that sometimes the naked eye does not see until it is in front us. The “footprint” size and configurations of medical equipment have shrunk when compared to earlier models. Along with these miniaturizations of medical equipment is an advancing intelligence and some very important buzz words to familiarize yourself such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), machine learning and the Internet of Things (IoT) because “bigger is getting smaller!”

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EXPERT ADVICE

BY GEORGE HAMPTON

TECH KNOWLEDGE Getting the Mix Right

T

here are two unmovable forces in our industry: Regulatory Compliance and Financial Performance. They stand as individual elements in your program’s portfolio, regardless of your attention. In my organization, we work hard to educate and encourage our leaders to understand both concerns and find the agility to move between the two as necessary. In my career, I had no trouble absorbing the idea that getting our PMs done on time was important. This idea was instilled by years of working with my group, and fortified by successful Joint Commission surveys. We studied our completion numbers, reported our completion numbers, and set improvement goals. It is the norm and most programs I have studied have a leader who is well versed in the need for regulatory compliance. On the other hand, we have financial performance. This is where we are challenged to achieve a similar level of oversight with regulatory compliance. There are a couple components that I see as obstacles to a good understanding of financial performance.

LACK OF DATA Access to timely fi nancial information is essential. Frequently, I have seen political structures in health care organizations that limit this access to the leadership of the clinical technology program. The shop manager is typically handed a GL ledger or a profit and loss statement some time in the fi rst two weeks of the following month and are asked, “What happened?” Most likely, the manager was not allowed to have any input in the annual budget process, so there was little to no strategic cost cutting planning. The manager is handed a budget completed by someone else with a set increase or decrease. This leads to a mindset that the fi nancial month-to-month is a matter of chance and based on the various repair activities. Additionally, it causes the shop leader to focus even harder on the regulatory compliance activities because it’s the one area they can track, and use to support their value to the organization. Unfortunately, in our current environment this is not a healthy position and could lead to outsourcing.

LEADERSHIP AGILITY Leadership Agility is defi ned as “the

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GEORGE HAMPTON President of Tech Knowledge Associates

skills necessary for success in a complex business environment.” It is a conviction that some possess more than others, where we “step up” to new challenges and become more than we were the following day. By its very nature agility is a voluntary skill. One chooses to be concerned with their agility or one doesn’t. There are multiple organizations that can measure agility and there are numerous books to help an individual become a more agile leader, but the key is the personal conviction that new endeavors demand new skills. In this scenario, the obvious skill sets are financial analysis, cost containment, and

inspiring team members. Many of us become leaders because we were good techs. When we are given the responsibility to manage we have a responsibility to learn more about the business elements. If you are in an environment like the one I described above, where you don’t build your own budget based on data, and you don’t have ready access to the monthly performance data regarding that budget, you will struggle to be a balanced leader.

Your drive for agility should lead you to demand (respectfully of course) the data you need to truly lead your group.

What does this look like in practice?

In our organization we, of course, expect our managers to stay on top of regulatory compliance. We measure that compliance bi-annually with a program quality review. Regulatory compliance is engrained in all of us and is seldom an area for surprises. What we work much harder on is teaching our managers to run the business of their shop or shops. We ask them to build their budget every year. This is a comprehensive budget from supplies to service contracts. This budget contains long-term cost-reductions strategies.

Our fi nancial planning contains strategic training plans for each

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EXPERT ADVICE

Looking for Parts? technician. The budget has performance targets built in, and we review the submitted budget relative to those targets. We give our manager access to all their fi nancial performance elements. They have monthly GL ledger sheets, actual to budget performance sheets, PO accruals, contract listings, and a trend report. We ask them to analyze variances to budgeted spending monthly and diagnose the cause for future planning. We do this not to beat them down or make their workload unbearable. We do this because it takes them to a new level of agility. As a leadership team, it is our goal to support the plans and strategies of our managers, not to dictate to them what they should be doing to troubleshoot our fi nances.

On the contrary, we want them to tell us what they plan to do. I don’t mean to sound like I am bragging, but I am very proud of my team. We are dedicated to self-awareness and improvement. My point in detailing all of this is that I believe this pursuit of balance is essential for success in our industry. I have been around long enough to see those who have it and those who don’t.

The deciding factor is not intellect; collectively, clinical technology folks are very bright. The deciding factor is the individual’s desire to learn skills they don’t currently possess and the strength and ambition to pursue that knowledge.

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EXPERT ADVICE

BY MANNY ROMAN

THE ROMAN REVIEW Turn Negative to Positive

I

t is often said that attitude is a choice. We can choose how we are going to present ourselves each day.

I did not say we can choose how we will feel each day. How we present ourselves to others is a matter of deciding to make a choice. How we will feel, negative or positive, is a different animal.

It turns out that research indicates that negative emotions can linger long after a negative experience. Areas of the brain related to strong emotion such as the amygdala, responsible for fear and anxiety, remain active after the event has passed. It seems that negativity prolongs and feeds itself. Negative people may be negative people because their brain remains negative after each bad experience. They just know that another one is coming soon. It’s bad and unhealthy to be negative.

Positive people recover from adversity more quickly. Positive people experience less negative emotion overall and may have protection from mental disorders.

Positive people are more resilient and have greater well-being and greater purpose in life. It’s good and healthy to be positive.

Now, we don’t have to always be positive to be happy and healthy. Bad experiences will happen to everyone.

Negative people look for these events and will even state that they knew it was coming. Positive people accept that “..it happens” and look for ways to be positive as quickly as possible.

So, is there anything that can be done to change negative to positive?

Research indicates the answer is “Yes.” It is possible to train the brain to 72

TECHNATION

JULY 2017

generate new cells and pathways that promote positive responses.

Training in a form of meditation focused on compassion and kindness results in increased positive emotions. It also improved the function of the nerves that control heart rate. Results are achieved in as little as two weeks. So it appears that being positive is a skill that can be learned with practice.

There are other things that can help you to become more positive!

DO GOOD THINGS FOR OTHERS It will make them happier and it enhances your positive feelings. Even you selfish people can do little things for others like holding the door open at an elevator and buying me a glass of wine.

APPRECIATE THE WORLD AROUND YOU If you look, you will see the beauty in a sunset or a tree. You should appreciate the complexity of the hospital equipment and the skills necessary to maintain it.

DEVELOP AND STRENGTHEN RELATIONSHIPS Strong social connections enhance feelings of self-worth and are associated with better health and longer life.

ESTABLISH GOALS THAT CAN BE ACCOMPLISHED These can be work or personal goals.

The key is that they be something you want to work at and are not too challenging or impractical.

LEARN SOMETHING NEW Pick something that you want to learn such as a new language, musical

MANNY ROMAN, CRES AMSP Business Operation Manager

instrument, poker, just be sure that you have the time to achieve it.

CHOOSE TO ACCEPT YOURSELF, FLAWS AND ALL Focus on the positive attributes and achievements not the imperfections and failures. Nobody is perfect, but you are unique.

PRACTICE RESILIENCE Do not let the losses and trauma and failures in life overwhelm and defi ne you. Learn what you can from them and move on.

PRACTICE MINDFULNESS Past problems and perceived future problems and difficulties serve to drain your mind and attention. Accept the things you cannot change and change the things you cannot accept. Stay in the present.

Negative emotions can be decreased by implementing a daily positive approach.

Look for the good and the positive in everything at all times. And when life hands you lemons, drink more wine.

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THE VAULT

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o you consider yourself a history buff? Are you widely regarded among coworkers as an equipment aficionado? Here is your chance to prove it! Check out “The Vault” photo. Tell us what this medical device is and earn bragging rights. Each person who submits a correct answer will be entered to win a $25 Amazon gift card. To submit your answer, visit 1TechNation.com/ vault-july-2017. Good luck!

SUBMIT A PHOTO Send a photo of an old medical device to editor@mdpublishing. com and you could win a $25 Amazon gift card courtesy of TechNation!

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CORRECTION

The Vault item in the May issue of TechNation magazine was incorrectly identified in the June issue.

The May item was a Fogg System Company patient simulator.

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TECHNATION

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use code 17ICE610 [ 17ice610 ] during registration View schedule, classes and register online at for free admission!

WWW.Attendice.com WWW.A

register F For Free With promo code:

“Excellent atmosphere, professional instruction, and it was a reflection of the level of quality that goes into making an imaging department” Chris Bryant, CBET

AdvAncing the imAging proFessionAl www.attendice.com

As a Junior BMET this position works under close supervision of a Biomedical Engineer Technician. The position is primarily responsible for preventative maintenance, repairs, and safety testing. Usually less than 4 years experience.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES • Inspects, repairs, performs electrical safety and preventative maintenance as required.

• Maintains and generates records associated with all actions performed on customer equipment. Turns in to dispatcher within 24 hours of start of the job.

• Source and prices parts.

• Complies with facility and company policy and procedures.

• Maintains work area in a neat and orderly fashion.

• Maintains and documents inventories as directed.

• Conducts and maintains duties, personal appearance, interactions with fellow employees, staff, and customers in a professional manner.

• To comply with ongoing educational opportunities provided and uses unassigned time to increase knowledge on technology and procedures.

Link to Apply: http://intermed1.com/current-listings/

*ONLY available to those individuals employed within a hospital, health care facility, Military, or who are students. Proof of employment required.

78

TECHNATION

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BREAKROOM

Follow Ben Calibrating!

CONTINUING EDUCA TION

Want to know where Ben C. is? Follow us on Facebook @MedWrench and like our page!

Here’s photos of his recent adventure at AAMI!

Visit www.MedWrench.c om/BulletinBoard for m ore details and to register for these upcoming classes .

Aug 2-4 – MX 4 Patient M 00-800 Series onitor Bio med

Beca use Quali ty Matte rs ISO 9001:2 008 CERTIF IED

Aug 21-25 - Boot Camp

sation Siemens Sen Aug 8-17 – /64 Course 10/16/40

ttendent the flight a AMI Ben C and me from A coming ho

Ben C pictur ed with Jeff Van Wyk and Kay lee McCaffer y

ce en d en ! ep Day d n I

t his plane ticke Ben C getting a! nt la home to At

EMPOWERING THE BIOMEDICAL/HTM PROFESSIONAL

AAMSE

AAMSE

JULY 2017

TECHNATION

79

BREAKROOM 1.

3.

2.

SCRAPBOOK

4.

5.

AAMI 2017

T

he 2017 AAMI Annual Conference and Expo included almost 200 companies in the exhibit hall and attendees from around the world! As always, the conference included planned educational sessions, keynote addresses, demonstrations, a thought-provoking Expo, and roundtable discussions to give members the latest updates on what’s happening in healthcare technology, and provide them with potential solutions, pragmatic tips and tools that can help them in their careers and on the job. The conference also included social events to facilitate professional connections. TechNation magazine even hosted its annual VIP Readership Party in Austin, Texas while the conference was in town.

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BREAKROOM 6.

8.

10.

7.

9.

11.

1. The AAMI Career Center was a busy place as attendees met with recruiters and picked up free professional development resources.

2. Scott Francis left, introduces members of a panel discussion at the GE Healthcare Booth.

3. Attendees enter the exhibit hall as AAMI celebrates it’s 50th anniversary.

4. The education offerings are a big draw at the annual conference.

5. Vendor and attendee interaction in the exhibit hall.

6. J. Randall Moorman from the University of Virginia speaks during the Opening General Session at AAMI 2017.

7. The AAMI Interactive Systems area was a popular spot in the exhibit hall.

8. Attendees having a blast at the TechNation booth at AAMI 2017 with our social share picture frames.

9. The annual TechNation VIP Reader Party started with a full house.

10. MedWrench’s Ben Calibrating, center, made a guest appearnace at the TechNation Party.

11. The TechNation party in Austin lasted late into the night.

EMPOWERING THE BIOMEDICAL/HTM PROFESSIONAL

JULY 2017

TECHNATION

81

2 Easy Ways to Subscribe!

1. Log onto www.1technation.com/subscribe OR 2. Complete the form below and fax to 770-632-9090 Please Print Clearly Name _______________________________________________ Title _______________________________ Hospital/Company ________________________________________________________________________ Address __________________________________________________________________________________ City _____________________________________________________________________________________ State ______________________ Zip _________________ Country ________________________________ Phone ___________________________________________________________________________________ Fax _____________________________________________________________________________________ Email __________________________________________ T-Shirt Size _______________________________ Website __________________________________________________________________________________

Signature ___________________________________________________ Date ________________________ 1. What is your primary job title?

(check only one) m Clinical, Biomedical or Radiology Engineer m Biomedical Equipment Technician m Service/Support Manager m IS/Network Manager m Purchasing Manager m Sales/Marketing Manager m Department Administrator/ Director or Manager m Other (please specify) _______________________________________ _______________________________________

2. What is your company’s primary business? (check only one) m Hospital or Clinic m Medical Equipment m Computer/IT Equipment m Dealer or Distributor m Multivendor/Independent Service Organization m Depot Repair m Education/Training m Consulting m Other (please specify) ____________________________ ____________________________

3. Please check the statement that best describes your role in purchasing products/technolgy: (check only one) m Make final decision m Specify/recommend m No part in purchasing

4. Type of facility/business: (check only one) m ISO m OEM m Self Employed m Other (please specify) _________________________ _________________________

Department of defense

E Cat

for rigid and flexible endoscope repair service The FIRST and ONLY Service Contract with E Cat for • Rigid Endoscopes

• Flexible Endoscopes

Specializing in Surgical Instrument Repair For Government Facilities

405 GARFIELD AVE., BELLEFONTAINE, OHIO 43311 • 937.592.9693 • www.americansurgicalinstrument.com

INDEX

EXPERIENCE MATTERS

MINIMIZE DOWN TIME! ASK ABOUT OUR FREE LOANERS AND PROBE EVALUATION.

FREE TECH SUPPORT FOR ALL OUR CUSTOMERS! WE ARE YOUR MEDICAL IMAGING SOLUTION FOR: ULTRASOUND X-RAY PORTABLE X-RAY CT SCANNERS MAMMOGRAPHY MRI C-ARMS BONE DENSITOMETERS

ASK US ABOUT OUR EXCEPTIONAL TRANSDUCER REPAIR AND EVALUATION SERVICES

GIVE US A CALL, GET A SOLUTION!

866.676.3671 www.EMedicalSol.com

ALPHABETICAL INDEX A.M. Bickford ………………………

34

JDIS Group …………………………

50

AIV …………………………………

49

KEI Med Parts ………………………

71

American Surgical Instrument Repair 83

Maull Biomedical Training …………

43

Ampronix, Inc.………………………

15

Medisurg ……………………………

25

Aramark Healthcare Technologies

71

MedWrench ………………………

51

ATS Laboratories ……………………

63

MinXRad ……………………………

17

Bayer Healthcare - MVS ……………

35

Modern Biomedical & Imaging, Inc.

49

BC Group International, Inc ……… BC

MW Imaging ………………………

21

Bio-Medical Equipment

Ozark Biomedical …………………

69

Services Co.………………………… IBC Cadmet ……………………………

87

Conquest Imaging …………………

11

Crothall Healthcare

Pacific Medical ……………………… 8 Philips ………………………………… 3 PRN/ Physician’s Resource Network

42

Pronk Technologies, Inc. …………… 5

Technology Solutions ………………

63

Drager Medical Systems ……………

38

ECRI Institute ………………………

74

Elite Biomedical Solutions …………

20

Engineering Services, KCS Inc ……… 6 Exclusive Medical Solutions ………

84

FOBI ………………………………

14

GE Healthcare………………………

60

Global Medical Imaging ……………… 2 Healthmark Industries ……………

36

HTMA-Texas ………………………

89

iMed Biomedical ……………………

63

Injector Support and Service ………

69

International Medical Equipment and Service …………………………

23

J2S Medical…………………………

59

RSTI ………………………………… INS RTI Electronics ……………………

43

Select BioMedical …………………

65

Sodexo CTM ………………………

41

Southeastern Biomedical, Inc ……

76

Southwestern Biomedical Electronics, Inc. …………………………………… 7 Summit Imaging ……………………… 4 Technical Prospects ………………

67

Tenacore Holdings, Inc ……………

58

The Intuituve Biomedical Solution Inc 27 Tri-Imaging Solutions ………………

73

Trisonics ……………………………

48

USOC Bio-Medical Services ………

31

Webinar Wednesday ………………

42

BILINGUAL SUPPORT

84

TECHNATION

JULY 2017

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INDEX

SERVICE INDEX Drager Medical Systems 215-721-5404 • www.draeger.com

38

USOC Bio-Medical Services 855-888-8762 • www.usocmedical.com

31

P P P

Association HTMA-Texas 281-974-1409 • www.htmatexas.org

89

Auction/Liquidation J2S Medical 844-342-5527 • www.j2smedical.com

59

Biomedical

P P

JDIS Group 800-974-9729 • www.jdis.com

50

P P

KEI Med Parts 512-477-1500 • www.keimedparts.com

71

P P

Philips 800-229-6417 • www.philips.com/mvs

3

P P

RSTI 800-229-7784 • www.rsti-training.com

INS

RTI Electronics 800-222-7537 • www.rtigroup.com

43

Technical Prospects 877-604-6583 • www.technicalprospects.com

67

P P P

The Intuituve Biomedical Solution Inc 1-866-499-3966 • www.tibscorp.com

27

P P

Tri-Imaging Solutions 855-401-4888 • www.triimaging.com

73

P P P P P

BC Group International, Inc 314-638-3800 • www.BCGroupStore.com

BC

Crothall Healthcare Technology Solutions (800) 447-4476 • www.crothall.com

63

P P

Injector Support and Service 888-667-1062 • www.injectorsupport.com

69

iMed Biomedical 817-378-4613 • www.imedbiomedical.com

63

P

43

Medisurg 855-233-4050 • www.medisurg.com

25

P P P

Maull Biomedical Training 440-724-7511 www.maullbiomedicaltraining.com

iMed Biomedical 817-378-4613 • www.imedbiomedical.com

63

P

67

P P P

Contrast Media Injectors

P

Cardiology

P

P

Diagnostic Imaging JDIS Group 800-974-9729 • www.jdis.com

C-Arm Technical Prospects 877-604-6583 • www.technicalprospects.com

50

P P

American Surgical Instrument Repair 937-592-9693 www.americansurgicalinstrument.com

83

P

Endoscopy

Southeastern Biomedical, Inc 828-396-6010 • sebiomedical.com/

76

P P

Cadmet 800-543-7282 • www.cadmet.com

87

Southwestern Biomedical Electronics, Inc. 800-880-7231 • www.swbiomed.com/

7

P P

Healthmark Industries 800-521-6224 • HMARK.COM

36

Technical Prospects 877-604-6583 • www.technicalprospects.com

67

P

J2S Medical 844-342-5527 • www.j2smedical.com

59

P P

PRN/ Physician's Resource Network 508-679-6185 • www.prnwebsite.com

42

P P

17

P P

Computed Tomography Exclusive Medical Solutions 866.676.3671 • emedicalsol.com

84

P P

Hand Switches

Injector Support and Service 888-667-1062 • www.injectorsupport.com

69

P

MinXRad 417-597-4702 • www.minxrad.com

EMPOWERING THE BIOMEDICAL/HTM PROFESSIONAL

TRAINING

34

23

SERVICE

A.M. Bickford 800-795-3062 • www.ambickford.com

International Medical Equipment and Service 704-739-3597 • www.IMESimaging.com

PARTS

Anesthesia

Company Info

AD PAGE

TRAINING

SERVICE

PARTS

AD PAGE

Company Info

JULY 2017

P

TECHNATION

85

INDEX

SERVICE INDEX Monitors/CRTs

Imaging JDIS Group 800-974-9729 • www.jdis.com

50

P P

Infection Control Healthmark Industries 800-521-6224 • HMARK.COM

36

Infusion Pumps

Ampronix, Inc. 800-400-7972 • www.ampronix.com

15

P P

Bio-Medical Equipment Services Co. 888-828-2637 • www.bmesco.com

IBC

P

Technical Prospects 877-604-6583 • www.technicalprospects.com

67

P

USOC Bio-Medical Services 855-888-8762 • www.usocmedical.com

31

P P

AIV 888-656-0755 • aiv-inc.com

49

P P

MRI

Elite Biomedical Solutions 855-291-6701 • elitebiomedicalsolutions.com

20

P P

Bayer Healthcare - MVS 1-844-MVS-5100 • www.mvs.bayer.com

35

Exclusive Medical Solutions 866.676.3671 • emedicalsol.com

84

P P

International Medical Equipment and Service 704-739-3597 • www.IMESimaging.com

23

P

JDIS Group 800-974-9729 • www.jdis.com

50

P P

KEI Med Parts 512-477-1500 • www.keimedparts.com

71

P P

Philips 800-229-6417 • www.philips.com/mvs

3

P P

Infusion Therapy AIV 888-656-0755 • aiv-inc.com

49

P P

FOBI 888-231-3624 • www.FOBI.us

14

P P

J2S Medical 844-342-5527 • www.j2smedical.com

59

Select BioMedical 866-559-3500 • www.selectpos.com

65

USOC Bio-Medical Services 855-888-8762 • www.usocmedical.com

31

P P P P P

Labratory Ozark Biomedical 800-457-7576 • www.ozarkbiomedical.com

69

P P

Mammography Ampronix, Inc. 800-400-7972 • www.ampronix.com

15

Exclusive Medical Solutions 866.676.3671 • emedicalsol.com

84

RSTI 800-229-7784 • www.rsti-training.com

INS

P P P P P P

Monitors Drager Medical Systems 215-721-5404 • www.draeger.com

38

Select BioMedical 866-559-3500 • www.selectpos.com

65

P

Tenacore Holdings, Inc 800-297-2241 • www.tenacore.com

58

P P

86

TECHNATION

TRAINING

SERVICE

PARTS

Company Info

AD PAGE

TRAINING

SERVICE

PARTS

AD PAGE

Company Info

JULY 2017

Neonatal Drager Medical Systems 215-721-5404 • www.draeger.com

38

Nuclear Medicine Global Medical Imaging 800-958-9986 • www.gmi3.com

2

P P

Online Resource J2S Medical 844-342-5527 • www.j2smedical.com

59

MedWrench 866-989-7057 • www.MedWrench.com

51

Webinar Wednesday 800-906-3373 www.1technation.com/webinars

42

P

OR Tables PRN/ Physician's Resource Network 508-679-6185 • www.prnwebsite.com

42

P P

WWW.1TECHNATION.COM

Cadmet_Ad_for_TechNation_V.pdf 1 1/5/2017 3:06:41 PM

INDEX

TRAINING

SERVICE

PARTS

AD PAGE

Company Info Oxygen Blender FOBI 888-231-3624 • www.FOBI.us

14

P P

PACS RSTI 800-229-7784 • www.rsti-training.com

P

INS

Patient Monitoring AIV 888-656-0755 • aiv-inc.com

49

P P

Ampronix, Inc. 800-400-7972 • www.ampronix.com

15

P P

Bio-Medical Equipment Services Co. 888-828-2637 • www.bmesco.com

IBC

Elite Biomedical Solutions 855-291-6701 • elitebiomedicalsolutions.com

20

J2S Medical 844-342-5527 • www.j2smedical.com

59

P P

Pacific Medical 800-449-5328 • www.pacificmedicalsupply.com

8

P P

Philips 800-229-6417 • www.philips.com/mvs

3

P P

PRN/ Physician's Resource Network 508-679-6185 • www.prnwebsite.com

42

P P

Southeastern Biomedical, Inc 828-396-6010 • sebiomedical.com/

76

P P

Southwestern Biomedical Electronics, Inc. 800-880-7231 • www.swbiomed.com/

7

P P

Tenacore Holdings, Inc 800-297-2241 • www.tenacore.com

58

P P

USOC Bio-Medical Services 855-888-8762 • www.usocmedical.com

31

P P

25

P P P

MinXRad 417-597-4702 • www.minxrad.com

17

P P

Technical Prospects 877-604-6583 • www.technicalprospects.com

67

P

C

M

P P

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

Phaco Vitrectomy Medisurg 855-233-4050 • www.medisurg.com

Portable X-ray

EMPOWERING THE BIOMEDICAL/HTM PROFESSIONAL

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INDEX

Ampronix, Inc. 800-400-7972 • www.ampronix.com

15

P P

Pacific Medical 800-449-5328 • www.pacificmedicalsupply.com

8

P

RSTI 800-229-7784 • www.rsti-training.com

INS

P P P

Southwestern Biomedical Electronics, Inc. 800-880-7231 • www.swbiomed.com/

7

P P

Technical Prospects 877-604-6583 • www.technicalprospects.com

67

P P P

Tenacore Holdings, Inc 800-297-2241 • www.tenacore.com

58

P P

The Intuituve Biomedical Solution Inc 1-866-499-3966 • www.tibscorp.com

27

P P

USOC Bio-Medical Services 855-888-8762 • www.usocmedical.com

31

P P

TRAINING

59

SERVICE

J2S Medical 844-342-5527 • www.j2smedical.com

PARTS

Radiology

Company Info

AD PAGE

TRAINING

SERVICE

PARTS

AD PAGE

Company Info

Test Equipment

Recruiting Aramark Healthcare Technologies www.aramark.com/careers

71

A.M. Bickford 800-795-3062 • www.ambickford.com

34

Modern Biomedical & Imaging, Inc. www.modernbiomedical.com

49

BC Group International, Inc 314-638-3800 • www.BCGroupStore.com

BC

Sodexo CTM 1-888-Sodexo7 • www.sodexousa.com

41

Pronk Technologies, Inc. 800-609-9802 • www.pronktech.com

5

RTI Electronics 800-222-7537 • www.rtigroup.com

43

Southeastern Biomedical, Inc 828-396-6010 • sebiomedical.com/

76

Refurbish AIV 888-656-0755 • aiv-inc.com

49

P P

P P

Training

Replacment Parts Engineering Services, KCS Inc 888-364-7782x11 • www.eng-services.com

6

P

ECRI Institute 1-610-825-6000. • www.ecri.org

74

Technical Prospects 877-604-6583 • www.technicalprospects.com

67

P

International Medical Equipment and Service 704-739-3597 • www.IMESimaging.com

23

RSTI 800-229-7784 • www.rsti-training.com

INS

Technical Prospects 877-604-6583 • www.technicalprospects.com

67

P

Tri-Imaging Solutions 855-401-4888 • www.triimaging.com

73

P

Respiratory A.M. Bickford 800-795-3062 • www.ambickford.com

34

P

FOBI 888-231-3624 • www.FOBI.us

14

P P

J2S Medical 844-342-5527 • www.j2smedical.com

59

Tubes/Bulbs

Surgical Healthmark Industries 800-521-6224 • HMARK.COM

36

Telemetry AIV 888-656-0755 • aiv-inc.com

49

Elite Biomedical Solutions 855-291-6701 • elitebiomedicalsolutions.com

20

88

TECHNATION

JULY 2017

P

P P P P

Cadmet 800-543-7282 • www.cadmet.com

87

P

Technical Prospects 877-604-6583 • www.technicalprospects.com

67

P

Tri-Imaging Solutions 855-401-4888 • www.triimaging.com

73

P P

15

P P

Ultrasound Ampronix, Inc. 800-400-7972 • www.ampronix.com

WWW.1TECHNATION.COM

WIDTH 3.25”

INDEX

WE WANT TRAINING

Bayer Healthcare - MVS 1-844-MVS-5100 • www.mvs.bayer.com

35

Conquest Imaging 866-900-9404 • www.conquestimaging.com

11

P P P

Exclusive Medical Solutions 866.676.3671 • emedicalsol.com

84

P P

Global Medical Imaging 800-958-9986 • www.gmi3.com

2

P P

J2S Medical 844-342-5527 • www.j2smedical.com

59

MW Imaging 877-889-8223 • www.mwimaging.com

21

P P

Philips 800-229-6417 • www.philips.com/mvs

3

P P

PRN/ Physician's Resource Network 508-679-6185 • www.prnwebsite.com

42

P P

Summit Imaging 866-586-3744 • www.mysummitimaging.com

4

P P P

Trisonics 877-876-6427 • www.trisonics.com

48

P P

P

TO GET INVOLVED WITH YOUR LOCAL HTM ASSOCIATION

Ventilators Drager Medical Systems 215-721-5404 • www.draeger.com

YOU

HEIGHT 9.75”

63

SERVICE

AD PAGE

ATS Laboratories atslaboratories@yahoo-com • www. atslaboratories-phantoms.com/

PARTS

Company Info

38

HTM Professionals & Vendor Partners – JOIN & SUPPORT!

X-Ray Bayer Healthcare - MVS 1-844-MVS-5100 • www.mvs.bayer.com

35

Engineering Services, KCS Inc 888-364-7782x11 • www.eng-services.com

6

P

Exclusive Medical Solutions 866.676.3671 • emedicalsol.com

84

P P

Philips 800-229-6417 • www.philips.com/mvs

3

P P

RTI Electronics 800-222-7537 • www.rtigroup.com

43

Technical Prospects 877-604-6583 • www.technicalprospects.com

67

P

Tri-Imaging Solutions 855-401-4888 • www.triimaging.com

73

P P P

EVERYBODY BENEFITS FROM THEIR LOCAL ORGANIZATION!

P TO KEEP UP WITH HTMA TEXAS’ EVENTS PLEASE VISIT: WWW.HTMATEXAS.ORG/EVENTS

WWW.HTMATEXAS.ORG EMPOWERING THE BIOMEDICAL/HTM PROFESSIONAL

JULY 2017

TECHNATION

89

BREAKROOM

“It is the love of country that has lighted and that keeps glowing the holy fire of patriotism.”

- J. Horace McFarland

90

TECHNATION

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WWW.1TECHNATION.COM

THE BLACK PIRANHA: EASY AND FAST X-RAY QUALITY CONTROL RTI Black Piranha Features:   

All-in-one multifunction X-ray meter

 

Can measure on scanning beams as well as tomosynthesis

  

Built-in energy compensation

    

Automatic recognition of external probes

One-shot HVL for Mammography, Radiography, CT, and Dental Solid-state detectors = no need to compensate for temperature & pressure Optimized for X-ray equipment from a large number of manufacturers 100 meters Bluetooth range Unique detector design to minimize position and rotation dependence

RTI Black Piranha

Small, compact & robust – easy to place Long-lasting rechargeable battery Always free firmware upgrades 2-year Calibration Cycle

The Black Piranha and Ocean software are quick. Ocean can perform instant real-time analysis during measurements as well as a report in the background. When the work is done, you can print a complete report of your work. Use your MS Windows tablet or laptop as both an interactive display during the measurements and as a powerful analysis tool when you are back at the office. All your measurements, along with the result and the report will be stored inside your tablet or laptop. There is no unnecessary, time-consuming data transfer at the end of the day.

NEW IPA-3400 Infusion Pump Analyzer The High Accuracy, Easy-to-Use System with Full Touch Screen Control of All Processes         

Large 7” Color Touch Screen 1,2,3 and 4 Channel Models available (Field Upgradeable) User Swappable, Fully Self Contained Flow Modules Calibration in Flow Modules No need to be down for calibration or service!

Smooth Dual Syringe System Eliminates Drain Cycle Inconsistencies Whisper Quiet Operation Auto Start Built-in Auto Test Sequences Built-in Data Collection Phone: 1-888-223-6763 Email: sales@bcgroupintl.com Website: www.bcgroupintl.com ISO 9001 & 13485 Certified ISO 17025 Accredited