Webinar Wednesday

Sessions Boost HTM Knowledge

STAFF REPORT

The 2022 Webinar Wednesday series continues to provide top-notch information. Recent sessions have covered a range of topics delivering educational material to biomeds throughout the country.

CMMS IMPLEMENTATION The presentation “Making A CMMS Implementation More Than Just Transferring Data” was sponsored by Phoenix Data Systems and eligible for 1 credit from the ACI.

In this 60-minute webinar, Phoenix Data Systems Training Manager Aaron Peters and SQL Developer Daniel Hamadeh showcased a well-executed CMMS conversion and implementation. The conversation focused on keys to success; such as mapping data, cleaning data and optimizing work flows by understanding how the new CMMS operates. The presenters also took a deep dive into a recent customer’s experience from conversion through implementation.

The webinar was popular with 96 live attendees and more have viewed the session via on-demand viewing at WebinarWednesday.live. A popular aspect of this session was a question-and-answer session where the presenters shared additional insights.

One of the questions centered on the topic of what clients need to do to their data to prepare for an implementation? The short answer is “It depends.” However, the presenters did not stop there and discussed some different approaches and options available.

Another attendee asked, “What pieces of the implementation process are outsourced?”

The answer was to the point.

“That is another good question that almost anyone at this company could answer. I hope everyone who works here knows we don’t outsource anything. Every person you talk to is an employee of Phoenix Data Systems. We don’t hire any third-party vendors,” Peters said.

Attendees provided feedback about the webinar via a survey that included the question, “What are the biggest strengths of the industry?”

“Data standardization and true adoption of technologies like CMMS,” said Laura Rojas, biomedical support.

“The biggest strengths of the health care CMMS industry are software organizations that actually value the customers, their goals and the patients those customers serve. We are setting the bar high at Phoenix Data Systems and will continue to set it higher!” said Jason Fleming, an implementation specialist.

“The resourcefulness of the people in the HTM community,” Biomed Manager Richard Ortiz said.

INFUSION PUMP TESTING INSIGHTS The presentation “Infusion Pump Testing” was sponsored by BC Group. It was eligible for 1 credit from the ACI.

Lucio Simoni, engineering manager at BC Group International, discussed infusion pump testing utilizing the BC Biomedical 4 channel IPA-3400. The IPA-3400 is a high accuracy, easy-to-use system that incorporates full touch screen control of all processes without the use of old-fashioned buttons and knobs. This new cutting edge, patented design uses a dual syringe stepper motor driven system that provides continuous monitoring of the fluid flow without the need to stop and perform intermittent drains like older technologies do. This provides a more realistic flow path for the infusion device under test and therefore more accurate readings.

Attendees gathered additional knowledge during a question-and-answer session. The Q&A session is available for on-demand viewing along with the entire webinar at WebinarWednesday.live.

One attendee asked about simulations.

Simoni answered, “We actually do try to simulate as close as possible. For instance, we have a user selectable back pressure setting, which simulates the pressure in a patient’s veins, and would push back against a diffusion pump. It has to overcome, and the way we see back pressure, we don’t actually begin measuring until pressure exceeds that setting. So, we tried to make it as realistic as possible.”

The webinar was popular. It had 97 attendees for the live presentation. Attendees shared feedback via a survey that included the question, “What are the biggest challenges facing you with your work?”

“Workload/time management,” Director Capital Equipment Services Scott Tarter said.

“Regulations: too many manufacturer training certificates and too many pieces of expensive test equipment are required,” said András Levente Kacsó, BMET.

Several attendees said availability of parts or time constraints for PMs are among the biggest challenges they face.

KEEPING THE WHOLE HOSPITAL SECURE The Webinar Wednesday presentation “How BioMed Helps Keep the Whole Hospital Secure” by Anthony Rubino, medical device network risk manager for Scripps Health, and Samuel Hill, director of product marketing at Medigate by Claroty, discussed the challenge of keeping medical devices safe. It was sponsored by Medigate by Claroty and eligible for 1 credit from the ACI.

As HTM professionals, the goal is to keep devices online and operational. These devices are at risk because they are connected to a network and could be exposed to bad actors. Not to be deterred, many biomeds are taking security seriously and have helped improve the overall security posture of the hospital. This advancement helps keep patients safe, their data secure, and devices online and operational. Rubino and Hill discussed the challenge of keeping medical devices safe.

This webinar drew 90 registrations, and included a question-and-answer session. The completed webinar with the question-and-answer session is available for on-demand viewing at WebinarWednesday.live.

One of the questions addressed by the presenters was, “What are some of the best ways for biomed to involve themselves in security?”

Another question was, “How can I start cross training for cybersecurity?”

Attendees for the live presentation provided feedback via a survey that included the question, “What does the future look like for the industry?”

“Manufacturers should be required to do more on their end as it relates to cybersecurity,” Clinical Engineering Manager Paul Graham said.

“I think the future looks more Biomed/IT integrated, cybersecurity is not going away,” shared Clinical Engineering Security Analyst David Simpson.

“Only better when we have industry leaders like these who are looking ahead and helping boost the knowledge of all,” Field Service Supervisor Chuck Yovino said.

NEXT GENERATION The Webinar Wednesday presentation “How to Hire and Retain the Next Generation of HTM Professionals” was sponsored by Nuvolo. It was eligible for 1 credit from the ACI.

The next generation of HTM professionals are getting ready to enter the work force, and they have skills health care facilities want and need. However, to hire and retain them, one needs to know what they want and need in their career and work environment. This webinar featured a panel of HTM educators and students who discussed what younger people entering the HTM industry are looking for in a job that may be different than what previous generations sought. The panel also shared what new skills today’s HTM students are learning that will add value to an organization. The panel discussion was facilitated by Ben Person, chief marketing officer at Nuvolo. Panelists included HTM educators David W. Braeutigam, James Linton, Phillip E. Pash and students.

The complete webinar is available for on-demand viewing at WebinarWednesday.live.

Attendees provided feedback via a survey that included the question, “What part of today’s webinar did you like the most?”

“The age range of the speakers was incredible in hearing the different ideas as it pertains to HTM,” Chief Clinical Engineer Saul Ochoa said.

“I enjoyed hearing what the next generation of biomeds love about this field and what makes them loyal to a company,” Site Manager Bill Sansagraw said.

“I am pleased to see younger people getting involved in the industry, especially talented young women. The industry as a whole is still one of health care’s best kept secrets,” Biomedical Equipment Technician II Brian Snyder said.

“The interaction with the young biomeds. Hearing their thoughts and experiences was helpful in understanding the best way to recruit and retain today’s young biomeds,” said Tyler Tryon, BMET III.

USEFUL TOOLS FOR HTM The Webinar Wednesday presentation “Useful Tools for Biomedical Engineers” by RTI Group’s Erik Wikström illustrated what can be achieved with the help of modern, fit-for-purpose instruments, probes and software, combined with efficient procedures. This webinar was eligible for 1 credit from the ACI. It was sponsored by RTI Group.

One part of a biomedical engineer’s work is looking after diagnostic radiology equipment. The traditional responsibilities include performing preventive maintenance, troubleshooting and first-line repair as well as maintaining service records of the installed base of equipment. With tougher requirements on traceability and increasing demands on integration of reports and service data into software systems for a better overview of the status of the installed base, there is a need for a more efficient process than simply writing down measurement data and doing the evaluation by hand.

Wikström also fielded questions from attendees during the webinar session.

One question was, “Does the cable measure voltage or on the generator controller board?”

Wikström said that it measures the voltage but converts it according to a conversion factor that we know. His complete answer is available via the on-demand version of the webinar at WebinarWednesday.live.

Approximately 100 individuals registered for the webinar. Attendees provided positive feedback via a survey that included the question, “What part of today’s webinar did you like the most?”

“The latest tools to utilize for testing medical equipment,” Biomed Supervisor Arlondo Bia said.

“Ability to get CEU and nice to know what latest tools are available,” Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist Tanja Price said.

“I liked seeing the diversity of metering equipment,” Biomed William Easley said.

For more information, visit WebinarWednesday.live

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