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CONTENTS
P.12 SPOTLIGHT
p.12 Professional of the Month: Kari Lawrence, CBET, MSHM
p.14 Department of the Month: The Saudi German HospitalRiyadh Biomedical Engineering Department
p.50 Cover Story: Biomed Wishlist: Top Tools Techs Want and Recommend
p.54 Biomed Wishlist
P.65 EXPERT ADVICE
p.65 Career Now
p.66 SPONSORED: Innovatus Imaging
p.69 Right to Repair
p.70 The Future
p.72 SPONSORED: Soma Tech Intl
p.74 Networking Notes
p.76 Cybersecurity
PUBLISHER John M. Krieg
VICE PRESIDENT Kristin Leavoy
VICE PRESIDENT Jayme McKelvey OF SALES
EDITORIAL John Wallace
CONTRIBUTORS
Roger Bowles
K. Richard Douglas
Jim Fedele
Joie Marhefka
Manny Roman
Steven J. Yelton
ACCOUNT Megan Cabot
EXECUTIVES Emily Hise
ART DEPARTMENT Karlee Gower
Taylor Hayes
Kameryn Johnson
DIGITAL SERVICES Cindy Galindo
Kennedy Krieg
Haley Harris
EVENTS Kristin Leavoy
WEBINARS Linda Hasluem
HTMJOBS.COM Kristen Register Sydney Krieg
ACCOUNTING Diane Costea
CIRCULATION Joanna Manjarrez
p.79 Bulletin Board Sponsored by
TechNation
p.83 Biomed Brainbuster
p.85 GBIS Scrapbook
p.94 #HTMLife
p.88 Preferred Vendors
p.90 Service Index
EDITORIAL
BOARD
Rob Bundick, Director HTM & Biomedical Engineering, ProHealth Care
Carol Davis-Smith, CCE, FACCE, AAMIF, Owner/ President of Carol Davis-Smith & Associates, LLC
Jim Fedele, CBET, Senior Director of Clinical Engineering, UPMC
Bryant Hawkins Sr., Site Manager, Children’s Hospital of New Orleans
Benjamin Scoggin, MBA, MMCi, Director, Clinical Engineering | Biomedical Operations, Equipment Distribution, Clinical IT, DHTS, Duke Health Technology Solutions
Allison Woollford, Biomedical Equipment Specialist at Duke University Health System
DIGITAL ADVISORY BOARD
Bryant Hawkins Sr., HTM on the Line, Trimedx Site Manager at Children’s of New Orleans
Dr. Brian Bell, HTM Workshop, Faculty Biomedical Engineering at St. Petersburg College in St. Petersburg, Florida
Carlos Villafane, BMET Latino, Certified Biomedical Engineering Technician III, Baycare Health Systems
Chace Torres, Bearded Biomed, Lead Technician SPBS, Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex
p.93 Alphabetical Index
At the College of Biomedical Equipment
(CBET), we’re proud to support our veterans—not just on Veterans Day, but every day of the year. As an official partner of the Department of Defense’s Skillbridge Program, CBET is committed to helping service members receive the education they need to transition into high-demand careers in healthcare technology.
With
you’re
PROFESSIONAL OF THE MONTH A Recognized Leader
Kari Lawrence, CBET, MSHM
BY K. RICHARD DOUGLAS
The nomination reads "She is always finding a solution for our complex problems. She is great at facilitating our team members to work together. She keeps us organized and helps us to prioritize critical areas or our work.”
With leadership that inspires that kind of description in a professional nomination, it is clear that someone is checking all the boxes.
That glowing assessment describes TRIMEDX Senior Site Manager Kari Lawrence, CBET, MSHM. Lawrence has biomed oversight for several facilities in Wisconsin, including hospitals, outpatient centers, clinics and labs.
“I went to Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) where I received my bachelor’s in biomedical engineering. During that time, I took an internship working in the biomed industry. I loved the challenges the team faced and how no two days were ever the same. At that point, I knew I wanted to work in this field,” Lawrence says.
She adds that one of her professors was a forensic biomed and that she found his work fascinating.
“He would provide presentations on the types of device failures he had to investigate and how he went about performing those simulations,” she says.
Since getting her degree, Lawrence has been a biomed, lab specialist, and has held a supervisory/lead role before transitioning to the management side.
A LOVE FOR THE FIELD
As both a tech and a manager, Lawrence has been involved in her share of projects and challenges. Those projects have included working with her IT colleagues, rolling out an AEM program and a CMMS rollout.
“During my time as a biomed, I helped the facility transition to an upgraded CMMS. I was also involved in creating its MEMP (medical equipment management plan) and AEM (alternative equipment management) programs. I coordinated with the hybrid CE/IT team members to get a cybersecurity program started as well,” Lawrence says.
She says that the cybersecurity program was particularly challenging.
“Understanding the importance wasn’t an issue, but building a program from the ground up to include basics like the IP/OS/MAC of a device made it immediately apparent how much work we had to do,” she says.
She worked closely with a co-worker when the requirements for having equipment on an AEM program initially rolled out.
“We collaborated with another leader outside our organization who provided a presentation on AEM programs. He was able to give us some great insights that we used to create the framework for our internal AEM. Once we had the framework created, as a biomed team, we worked through every equipment category we had in our database to perform the risk analysis and AEM scoring,” Lawrence says.
She says that it required a significant time commitment as well as buy-in, since they alone didn’t have the expertise to properly score devices, they weren’t responsible for supporting.
“The program required knowledge of the type of failures the device could exhibit and what the possible consequences were. We turned this into a weekly project where we had a goal of working through a certain number of categories until we reached the end,” Lawrence says.
She says that with the CMMS rollout, they ran into some initial challenges due to changing data fields and functionality.
“We also rolled it out across multiple facilities to get everyone onto the same CMMS for data sharing. There
were super users selected to both teach others but also have increased provisioning. During these changes, the decision was also made to start locking down certain fields, so only select individuals could complete certain tasks. Locking down fields was necessary to ensure that assets were inventoried in a consistent manner across multiple sites as well as preventing unintentional data erasures since other sites could now access each other’s information,” Lawrence adds.
Biomed leadership has come to terms with the role cybersecurity plays in HTM today. Lawrence says that the decision to start implementing a cybersecurity program became apparent after technical conferences started sharing the increased risk of cyberattacks with legacy systems still in place across health care.
“Where I worked, we had individuals in a hybrid CE-IT role, so we were already well-positioned to start setting up this process. I worked closely with this team to start identifying which data elements we felt were necessary to capture. Given this would be a new process, we knew we had to start with a targeted focus,” she says.
Lawrence says that with that in mind, they chose to focus on the operating system, MAC addresses and IP addresses for networked devices.
“As new equipment projects were rolled out, we also started requesting copies of the MDS2 paperwork and storing it with the equipment record. As a team, we decided the best way to approach this was identifying any devices that were at a higher risk and gathering the information on those first. From there, as a team, we came to the decision to gather data on the lower risk devices when the next repair/PM came up,” she says.
Lawrence has been recognized by her employer for the qualities mentioned by her nominee.
“I have received internal awards at TRIMEDX. At our 2021 Women’s Leadership Conference, I received the Associate Empowerment Award. My team and I were also recognized internally as the 2020 Top Site in the West at TRIMEDX,” she says.
Away from work, Lawrences loves reading and working in the garden.
“Living in Wisconsin, I love being out on the water boating, tubing, wakeboarding and kayaking. I’m married to my husband, Adam. We have two boys, Oliver (4) and Spencer (1). We also have a dog and two cats,” she adds.
Lawrence loves working in HTM and says that there’s a new challenge every day which keeps things interesting, and this allows her to interact with so many different types of people from technicians and caregivers to hospital executives.
“Additionally, I enjoy working with my team on equipment when they run into challenges and need a fresh perspective to chase down the problem. I also take pride in the opportunity to partner with the local technical college, both as a resource for interns looking to get their practicum experience and also being part of their advisory board to help ensure the curriculum matches the direction of the biomed field,” she says.
BIOMETRICS
FAVORITE BOOK:
“Fourth Wing” and “Queen of Shadows”
FAVORITE MOVIE:
“The Two Towers”
FAVORITE FOOD: Tacos
FAVORITE PART OF BEING A BIOMED?
I love the opportunity to help people in the health care space and ensuring patients and caregivers are kept safe from the equipment.
WHY DO YOU READ TECHNATION?
It’s a great opportunity to stay up to date on industry trends, best practices, and challenges facing the health care space.
Kari Lawrence, CBET, loves working in HTM as a technician and as a manager.
DEPARTMENT OF THE MONTH
The Saudi German Hospital-Riyadh Biomedical Engineering Department
BY K. RICHARD DOUGLAS
Ci ties, counties and rural areas around the world all have health care facilities that require the expertise of HTM professionals. This fact holds true from a health clinic in developing Africa to a small hospital in the rural U.S. to facilities in West Asia and the Middle East.
Within the Middle East region, the largest country is Saudi Arabia, known officially as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The country’s capital and largest city is Riyadh.
Saudi German Hospital-Riyadh is a 300-bed multi-specialty tertiary care hospital that has been in operation since 2001. The hospital is comprised of two facilities: a main building and a medical tower.
The hospital has a four-member biomedical engineering department.
“Riyadh’s biomedical engineering department is manned by experienced technical staff. It is working with four employees that include two engineers and two technicians,” says Engineer Naveed Ahmed Khan, MBA, assistant maintenance manager.
In addition to Khan, the department includes Engineer Ahmed Aljazani, B. App. Sci. Biomedical; Technician Shahjahan Afqar, Diploma Biomedical; Technician Muhammad Samir, Diploma Biomedical; FMS Director Engineer Abdul Rauf Bhatti, B.E. Electrical and COO Dr. Ramy Abouelkheir, Ph.D.
Khan says that the department provides appropriate and safe operation of medical equipment; from installation, incoming inspection to testing and repairing, preventive and corrective maintenance of diagnostic
and therapeutic devices.
“The BME department also provides pre-purchase research and evaluation of new technology and equipment, recommends, and provides updates on equipment recalls and, as needed, sources data related to new equipment’s reliability and safety from outside the hospital,” he says.
EXPANSIONS AND MOVES
Although a smaller department, the biomed team carries out a number of duties in addition to PMs and repairs.
Khan says that the team also assists clinical departments with service contract analysis, negotiation and management. In addition, it provides coordination of clinical equipment installation including planning, scheduling and oversight.
He says that the department also participates in various committees like the daily operational committee, procurement, planning, and with the facility management and safety committees.
“[The team] conducts device incident investigations [and] reports medical device incidents to the Saudi Food and Drug Authority,” Khan says.
He says that they also provide training to clinical staff regarding the use of medical devices and monitor clinical staff for continuous compliance with the proper use and maintenance of equipment.
“Saudi German hospital also has outsourced service contracts for critical and high-tech equipment with companies like Siemens, GE, Philips and Drager. Biomedical department provides coordination and assistance to both service contractors and in-house users,” Khan says.
A few projects that the biomed team has been involved with include an ICU expansion from 14 beds to 38 beds in 2023, a NICU expansion from 35 beds to 57 beds, also last year, and ongoing work for future hospital expansion projects (e.g., hemodialysis, rehabilitation center, etcetera).
A previous project included the in-house development of a CMMS biomedical module with the WIPRO team. Khan was appointed to design workflow and to provide consultation for mapping with different areas like procurement, warehouse, finance and functions for break down, risk assessment, considering end-user requirements, documentation and reporting, according to requirements of the Joint Commission and other auditing authorities and standards.
“As overall expansion of hospital projects was running parallel to each other, LDR and NICU were transferred to a new expanded area on the second floor, the old NICU and LDR areas were emptied, and within no time, merged with the ICU. [The] ICU capacity was increased from 14 beds to 38 beds. [The] biomedical team participated from planning until installation and executed within the timeframe,” Khan says.
Last year, the outpatient department was moved from the main facility to the medical tower.
“[The] medical tower is built adjacent to the area of main hospital. [The] area between the hospital and tower is utilized for an ER extension. [The] tower has a total of six floors currently; five floors are utilized and fully functioning with 150 different specialties and subspecialties clinics. Most of the departments were equipped and ready for use even though many departments were transferred fully or partially by the biomedical department from main building to new medical tower,” Khan says.
The projects last year were only part of what the department has assisted in.
“Currently, two new projects are in progress; one is hemodialysis and the second is rehabilitation. There will be a specialized area for rehabilitation which will cover pediatric physiotherapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, locomotion therapy and rehabilitation services for stroke patients,” Khan says.
He says that the hemodialysis unit is expanding from nine beds to 15 beds, which also includes two beds for hepatitis B patients.
The small team of biomeds has also been involved in problem-solving at their facilities.
“By monitoring daily breakdown requests, we found after the compilation of data that infusion pumps of [the] same brand [were] having common breakdown issues. We sent breakdown data to the supplier which they forwarded to the manufacturer, and after analysis, they replaced 26 infusion pumps. This kind of monitoring and root cause analysis helped resolve an emerging problem in providing safe patient care,” Khan says.
The department established the first in-house calibration lab for medical devices and it offers top class calibration equipment from Fluke Biomedical, with which they can perform electrical safety test, gas flow analysis, multi parameter monitoring testing as well as defibrillator testing.
“For this, we have been declared as a benchmark for rest of the Saudi German hospital branches by the group quality and patient safety department,” Khan says.
Beyond the work the team does in the two facilities, Khan says that the department is involved with the Saudi Engineering Council and Saudi Food and Drug Authorities in different activities.
The Saudi German Hospital-Riyadh Biomedical Engineering Department handles repairs, maintenance and assists with special projects.
NEXT GEN POWERED BY YP AT MD
Jeffrey Salmon
Northwell Health Senior Clinical Engineer Jeffrey Salmon is an alum of DeVry College of New York where he earned a bachelor’s in biomedical engineering technology. His education did not stop there as he went on to earn a total of five certifications and two degrees.
TechNation recently found out more about this promising biomed from New York!
Q: WHERE DID YOU GROW UP?
A: Queens, New York.
Q: WHERE DID YOU RECEIVE YOUR HTM TRAINING/ EDUCATION?
A: I attended DeVry College of NY where I acquired my bachelor’s degree. I’ve also done an internship with GE HealthCare and have attended several training classes.
Q: HOW DID YOU FIRST DISCOVER HTM?
A: After being unsatisfied with the opportunities available to me from my first degree, I re-evaluated my career path and discovered HTM through the process.
Q: HOW DID YOU CHOOSE TO GET INTO THIS FIELD?
A: I chose this field for several reasons but mainly because I was able to merge my love of technology with my passion for helping people in need.
Q: WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT YOUR POSITION?
A: What I like most is training/mentoring the HTM personnel under me and the fact there’s always something new to learn.
Q: WHAT INTERESTS YOU THE MOST ABOUT HTM?
A: What interests me the most is knowing that what I do for a living is saving lives. It is the ultimate motivator. I see us as nurse/doctor for the medical devices instead of the people.
Q: WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR GREATEST ACCOMPLISHMENT IN YOUR FIELD THUS FAR?
A: My greatest accomplishment so far has been reaching the level of senior tech.
Q: WHAT GOALS DO YOU HAVE FOR YOURSELF IN THE NEXT 5 YEARS?
A: I have a lot of goals. I would like to acquire more certifications. Beyond that, I would like to be in a leadership/ management role.
FUN FACTS
FAVORITE HOBBY: Spending time with my son.
FAVORITE SHOW OR MOVIE: “The Matrix”
FAVORITE MEAL: Jerk Chicken with rice & peas
WHAT WOULD YOUR SUPERPOWER BE? The ability to control time.
SOMETHING YOUR CO-WORKERS DON’T KNOW ABOUT YOU: I’m also a DJ.
SHIFTING GEARS
Artist in Residence
BY K. RICHARD DOUGLAS
Back in 2022, when UNC Rex Healthcare decided it wanted to feature a mural on one wall of the hospital, decision-makers pondered locating a local artist.
The Raleigh, North Carolina hospital wanted to cheer up an outdoor courtyard and a challenge was put out to employees to submit ideas for a mural. This would not be a small mural, but a large mural that covered an entire wall.
One of those employees who submitted a mural idea was biomed Jauslyn Stewart, who has worked for the hospital for the past 19 years. Stewart’s idea won the challenge.
Ironically, Stewart not only submitted the winning idea, but the hospital did not have to spend time looking for an artist to paint it, because Stewart was more than capable of handling that task also.
Not only did it seem to be fate that Stewart got the call to put brush to wall, but it seemed to be fate that she became a biomed. Her first hospital job was as a housekeeper.
“People I admire worked for some companies for years and accumulated benefits. I knew I would like to be an artist for life, but did not know what else I’d like to do. I applied for a hospital knowing there are many jobs. I just needed to get my foot in the door and see what other job may interest me firsthand. Housekeeping called me back first,” Stewart says.
She says that as a housekeeper, she got a chance to see and meet many people and talk to them about their jobs.
“I started thinking I’d like to be a doctor. I like school and don’t mind going. But the internship and demanding schedule were things I certainly was not interested in. Then I thought, maybe nursing, but still, there’s on-call hours. I do not want to be tethered to my job,” Stewart says.
She says that she wanted to enjoy what she did and
retain a work/life/art balance.
“When I met Susan Trombley, and talked to her about her experience in the tech field working on IT and medical equipment, that sounded like something I would like to do since I love using my hands to be creative,” Stewart says.
Stewart explained to Trombley that she was already self-taught on car and home repairs.
“She was impressed because I was not hesitant to try and figure out how to get from point A to point B and she suggested I think about biomed. I started to talk to other biomed staff and felt at home with people with a similar interest. I enrolled in ECPI for my electrical engineer technician degree and Durham Tech for my degree in biomed,” Stewart says.
She says that having a job that asks her to take things apart and put back together is fun.
“It’s like working in Disneyland. I also get paid to learn. I was sent to GE training to get certified on some GE equipment,” Stewart adds.
A TRUE ARTIST
While biomed was a later endeavor, Stewart’s enjoyment of art goes way back.
“My mom told me I had an eye for art since I was a toddler. She said I would see images of things like facial profiles in prints that others would look and say ‘I don’t see that; where is it?’ My dad is a self-taught artist and I remember sitting with him watching Bob Ross paint on TV. He gave me a watercolor paint kit for kids, and when I tried to create a piece, I was so confused about why my painting did not look like Bob’s on TV,” Stewart says.
The attraction to painting continued in high school.
“I was attending advance placement classes and went on to attain an associates in art. I also sculpt, create clay pottery and sew. I created my veil for my wedding; each lace applique was cut and applied by yours truly. I was blessed with supportive family, who are proud of my work and some pieces I made for them are still in my mom’s office and their house until this very
day. Seeing my childhood work is a testament as to how far I have come. I can sit for hours in one place doing art,” Stewart says.
Before painting the hospital mural, Stewart had some previous experience with that format.
“My first mural was on a wall panel for my Leesville High School. I was part of a team that covered the walls in the cafeterias. The second was years later. I was asked to paint a mural of dinosaurs and landscape in a playroom of a private home. This was very interesting to create for a child. [I] talked to him and asked him which dinosaurs he would like and then I had to please my youngest client who would certainly not hesitate to tell me the truth. I loved painting for him,” Stewart says.
She submitted three ideas for the UNC Rex mural.
“The one that was chosen was ‘North Carolina from the Mountain to the Coast’ and UNC Rex commissioned me to apply paint to wall and I shared with my family that I am now being paid to apply art to a blank wall,” Stewart says. There are specific challenges to painting a mural-size piece of art.
tive of the same thing. I had to go to the second floor to look at it as I was working on it. To see how others would see it,” Stewart says.
Another challenge was Stewart’s fear of heights. Portions of the mural required getting onto scaffolding.
“Yes, I was not happy about being so high up. But as I was working on the piece it was clear to me that I needed to go higher to achieve the vision. The tree needed to be higher to fit correctly in the mural. I had to work up every nerve I had, use controlled breathing and I refused to allow fear to prevent me from completing the piece,” Stewart says.
“I was blessed with supportive family, who are proud of my work and some pieces I made for them are still in my mom’s office and their house until this very day.”
“Generally speaking, the size of the canvas or wall controls the sizes and placements of the different components of the piece I am working on. When creating a piece on canvas, I know it will most likely be seen head on and at a distance of 5 to 10 feet away. A mural is based on the space it is in. The one for UNC Rex is in a courtyard. It needed to look good from the ground and from the second-floor windows. Both have a different perspec-
She says that she truly feels that fear is just a lack of understanding and false evidence appearing real.
“I did do some research on scaffolding and how to use it. Once I was on top, I refused to look down and come down until I was done because once down, I had no plans on getting back up to the top again. One and done,” she adds.
The finished mural features scenes from North Carolina, from the pristine beaches to nature in the Piedmont in the middle of the state to the mountain blooms in the Appalachian Mountains.
Some biomeds have hidden talents, but everyone at UNC Rex hospital knows a very real talent that one of their HTM staff has had for a lifetime.
Biomed Jauslyn Stewart's love for art made her the perfect choice when UNC Rex Healthcare was looking to add a mural to its campus.
PRESCOTT ’S
BE EQUIPPED FOR BETTER
SIX MODALITIES • ONE STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE
r escott's was founded in Monument, Colorado in 1980 by an entrepreneurial family from Prescott, Arizona. With its origins as an OEM distributor, Prescott's saw firsthand the need for a high-quality independent service organization specializing in surgical microscopes within the United States.
Sterilizers & Washers
Q: WHAT ARE SOME ADVANTAGES THAT YOUR COMPANY HAS OVER THE COMPETITION?
PRESCOTT ’S BE EQUIPPED FOR BETTER
Fast forward 44 years and Prescott's has a knowledge base to service, supply parts for, and refurbish all brands, models, and generations of surgical microscopes. Today, Prescott's stands alone as the only independent service organization with national coverage, the ability to service all surgical microscopes, and unmatched response time.
If the story ended here, we would describe Prescott's as an inspiring story of vision, ambition, hard work, and success. But the story doesn't end here.
"We believe the same principles that led to success in surgical microscopes will lead to success in other modalities our customers care about," Prescott’s CEO Brian Straeb explains. "Between 2021 and 2023, Prescott's has acquired four new modalities including infusion pumps (Adepto Medical (Adepto)), patient monitors (Pioneer Biomedical (PioBio)), sterilizers (Preventive Maintenance Medical), and anesthesia machines (Heartland Medical/Vetland)."
Prescott’s Surgical Microscopes and Adepto/PioBio boast the ISO 13485 certification, and there are plans to include additional certifications in the future.
TechNation is eager to share more about this innovative family of companies and how Prescott's can assist hardworking healthcare technology management leaders throughout the nation.
STRAEB: Prescott’s is a family of brands specializing across six critical modalities. Each modality is the legacy of Prescott’s acquired companies who are known as specialized technical experts with a customer first culture. At its core, technical excellence and a customer-centric culture are the two features we look for when considering business fit for acquisition and expansion. Our top priorities will always be to deliver technical excellence when and where needed, to get it right the first time, and to deliver a best-in-class customer experience so patients receive the care they need.
Importantly, our objective is to retain the things each of our businesses has always done best while leveraging the infrastructure of the larger Prescott’s Group. This allows our customers to enjoy the continuity of working with vendors they have come to depend on while benefiting from being a part of a larger organization.
Our advantages come from:
1. Technical Excellence in everything we do.
2. Best in Class Responsiveness minimizing patient disruption.
3. Market leading value.
We can service, sell, rent, or procure products in all modalities including surgical microscopes, infusion pumps, patient monitors, anesthesia machines, sterilizers, and washers, and complete operating room design and buildouts.
Let’s discuss service for a moment. While some of these devices are small and can be mailed in for service, many of the items are extremely large and expensive. Oftentimes hospitals have a limited number of these devices such as surgical microscopes in their inventory, and they rely on those to function correctly to ensure patients receive the care they need. When one malfunctions or is due for service, time is of the essence. Understanding the severity of these situations,
Prescott’s has positioned over 75 expert technicians across the U.S. and the UK. These technicians are in the field both proactively servicing your equipment and ready to respond when something is not properly working.
Prescott’s has serviced microscopes in the field for over 40 years. During that time, they inquired with other companies like theirs that service anesthesia machines, sterilizers, and washers.
Rather than attempting to train their technicians in these areas, they reached out to two of the industry leaders, Heartland Medical and Preventive Maintenance Medical, and the Prescott’s family of brands began to come together. Our organization then saw the struggle our customers were having in keeping their infusion pumps and patient monitors up and running. Bringing Adepto and PioBio into the partnership has provided our customers with the ease of having experts in these modalities along with an easy-to-use RMA/RGA system that removes all the stress when sending a device in.
Adepto and PioBio also bring a large fleet of rental devices to the fingertips of our customers. As experienced during COVID, when high flu season or major health events occur, additional hospital beds are needed. Each bed requires an infusion pump and a patient monitor. Often, hospitals rely on rental devices to accommodate the increased need. Adepto and PioBio have hundreds of devices in many different models ready to be deployed at any given moment. This is especially true during the annual flu season.
With our Vetland brand, we bring the same support to the veterinary community that provides health care to our furry family members.
Q: WHAT ARE SOME CHALLENGES THAT YOUR COMPANY FACED LAST YEAR?
Bringing the brands together to operate as one while retaining their independent strengths has been a fun journey and one that will continue. Bringing together companies as one can be difficult under any circumstances, this can be exceptionally challenging when all companies involved have strong established cultures, strong employee and customer relationships, and are independently successful organizations. These are things we want to keep intact and continue to grow but with many of the departments becoming what we refer to as “group level” departments, we needed to start the process of unifying certain areas as one. Equally important to our internal groups and messaging is our external messaging to the world and, more importantly, our customers about who this group is and what we represent.
We started with the group logo and core values. This process started by forming a group of top management from all brands and working through the process together for several months. We took best practices from all organizations and brought parts of all together to form one unified message and internal belief in what we represent. Keeping the core name of Prescott’s was important to all, but also was keeping identities. For that reason, we incorporated the icons from each of the brands into our messaging and website structure. Allowing our customers to be at ease knowing the level of service and flow of doing business with each of the divisions would not change from what they are accustomed to while providing the platform to grow as one united organization.
Q: CAN YOU EXPLAIN YOUR COMPANY’S CORE COMPETENCIES?
The core values came together in early 2024. After considering best practices from each division, we established this group of core values, known to us as the Gears of Success, we then paired each value with an explanation of what that core value means to this team. We are happy to share those here:
Prescott’s Gears of Success: Integrity: Act with unwavering integrity in every endeavor. Teamwork: Be hard on problems – not people. Excellence: Consistently pursue greatness. Respect: Cultivate harmonious relationships. Innovation: Measure efforts before results.
Q: WHAT PRODUCT OR SERVICE THAT YOUR COMPANY OFFERS ARE YOU MOST EXCITED ABOUT RIGHT NOW?
The core of the group is the service and repair of the devices, and that service is still what is most exciting about
this organization. Each division has decades of experience in their modality, and they continue to expand that knowledge daily. Often health care facilities do not have the budget available to always upgrade their equipment. The devices they have are still great devices and will last years. However, finding the support to service those devices properly is often a challenge. We provide that service and expert knowledge to allow our customers the flexibility to allocate their budget as they see fit while keeping their current fleet functioning properly. We have taken this a step further by perfecting the ease of doing business with each division by either having boots on the ground or streamlining the RMA/RGA systems for our depot service devices to ensure our customers can keep their focus on providing the care their patients need, rather than worrying about how they will keep their fleet of devices running properly.
Q: WHAT IS ON THE HORIZON FOR YOUR COMPANY?
The future is bright for Prescott's. By bringing high-quality service offerings across multiple modalities to our customers, we expect to grow rapidly. Our evolution over the next several years will focus on resource allocation, operational expansion, maintaining the highest level of quality and responsiveness, and building on our great culture.
Q: CAN YOU SHARE SOME COMPANY SUCCESS STORIES?
Below are a few stories/experiences our customers have shared with us:
“If we have something break, I’ll call my rep at Prescott’s, and I’ll say, ‘This is what’s going on.’ And if it’s a quick fix, he’ll tell me over the phone how to fix it, rather than him driving from … wherever he is at that time. … And that’s why they are my preferred [vendor].”
“I tell my coworkers, ‘Check out this RMA. It’s really easy to use, you’ll get a shipping label sent right to you, and you’ll be able to box it up and send it right away, and quick turnaround time, and it works when it comes back.’”
“There hasn’t been one service complaint as I’ve been here for 12 years, and the savings have been substantial. Dependability is through the roof. I cannot say enough good things about the Prescott’s service delivery.”
“If something happens and the microscope is in need of immediate attention, then they will walk me through
what I need to do. So, their service support is outstanding up here as well.”
A customer called at 8:00 am one morning stating that their air dryers failed, and the air lines were filled with water. They had all their 14 anesthesia units down and were quoted a 6-week turnaround from their vendor. We had units in stock and ready to go and by 3:00 am the next morning we had them up and running with 14 units. They resumed business as usual the next morning, and the patients received the procedures they needed on time.
Q: CAN YOU DESCRIBE YOUR COMPANY’S FACILITIES?
Our surgical microscope division is in Monument, Colorado, and along with the 75 field service employees we have, this facility houses over 50 employees from administration, shipping and receiving, in-house technicians and inventory specialties.
Our infusion pump and patient monitor divisions house over 50 employees in Kansas City, Missouri. This is a depot service model meaning all service technicians are on site in Kansas City and our customers mail their devices to them for service or repair.
Our anesthesia experts have a headquarters location in Louisville, Kentucky. The service team and operating room design specialists are in the field.
Our sterilizer and washer technicians are also in the field with headquarters in Mount Vernon, Ohio.
Q: IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU WANT TECHNATION READERS TO KNOW ABOUT YOUR COMPANY?
We are extremely proud to be part of the HTM community.
We know how much work all of our partners, competitors, and customers do to keep these hospitals and facilities up and operational. We also know most of the technicians and employees of these companies don't get the credit and publicity that clinicians get or that they deserve. However, we are very aware that without the equipment and services all of us in the industry provide none of this would be possible.
Thank you to all our customers and to all the HTM professionals for all you do!
Brian Straeb, CEO at Prescott’s.
COMPANY SHOWCASE
Midmark
CareFlow™ RTLS CareFlow™ RTLS
Why a Trusted RTLS Partner + Workflow are Incremental to Asset Tracking Success
Asset tracking is the foundation of a real-time locating system (RTLS). Its facility-wide nature sets the stage for how RTLS can be scaled across a health system to deliver value for additional use cases such as nurse call automation, staff duress and patient flow. When aligning both current and long-term goals with the solutions driven by RTLS, that’s where focused support from an RTLS partner plays a crucial role.
Focused exclusively on healthcare RTLS for more than 30 years, Midmark RTLS and our national network of certified system integrators are dedicated to helping organizations optimize their investment at discovery, launch and beyond. We understand the true key to success is just as much about the right partner and process as it is the technology. We prioritize people by helping organizations plan for the big picture. Deployed in more than 1,000 facilities across the country, our proven methodology utilizes best practices and performance strategies to build a sustainable RTLS investment. Here’s a peek into our approach.
STEP 1: KNOW YOUR WORKFLOW
First, we start by understanding your asset management workflow and how it may change with RTLS. For decades, there have been debates about centralized versus decentralized asset management. A centralized approach leans on rounding teams to ensure units are stocked with ready-to-use equipment, or nursing units must request equipment to be delivered when needed. Without RTLS, this is a manual, labor-intensive process that may leave nursing units short on equipment. To save on labor costs, a decentralized approach is often used – each nursing unit manages its own inventory. But because equipment such as IV pumps travel to different units as patients are transferred from Emergency to Surgery, to ICU and Med-Surg, nursing units often lose track of these mobile assets, again leaving units without the equipment they
need. Both models can lead to habitual “hoarding” – stashing away equipment where it can be found for patient care but is hidden from biomedical teams who need to maintain it. This creates the perception of equipment being everywhere and nowhere at the same time. Equipment staff knows they should have is nowhere to be found.
There are pros and cons to each approach, but the good news is RTLS brings the accuracy needed to not only maintain your workflow but enhance it. The key is designing the RTLS deployment to support your desired model – both in how the RTLS software supports the workflow and also choosing the right mix of RTLS technologies that provide both accuracy and cost-effectiveness. For more about the right mix of technologies, keep reading for our RTLS Pro Tip.
STEP 2: EVALUATE SYSTEM DESIGN
With your workflow goals in mind, we then determine which areas of the facility need asset tracking coverage and the desired level of precision that will be required. Infrared (IR) locating technology is the gold standard for room-level accuracy, but most health systems would agree near-room level location details for assets would suffice. Staff don’t need to know the exact shelf an item is sitting on, but rather a general area, like hallway or closet, is just as acceptable for efficiently locating equipment. Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) technology fills this need with its three-meter range.
RTLS PRO TIP: The best RTLS strategy addresses the long-term vision by comparing both biomedical and nursing team needs. We continually see biomedical teams choose one RTLS to manage assets, but then nursing needs another level of locating precision to automate nurse call, manage patient flow or improve caregiver safety. Addressing these needs separately, out of separate budgets, is costly to the health system. Hybrid technology is emerging as an innovative solution to meet these diverse needs. Combining IR with BLE, for example, provides hybrid locating technology that is strategic yet cost-effective. IR delivers accuracy where highly precise detail is critical, like patient care areas, while BLE delivers just as reliable location information with near-room accuracy, but is more cost-effective for areas in need of just asset tracking.
STEP 3: INNOVATE WITH PAR LEVEL MANAGEMENT
Whether you choose centralized or decentralized asset management, we’ll also discuss the option for Periodic Automatic Replenishment (PAR). PAR is not a new concept; however, it is a modern approach to monitor inventory levels. The automation it provides helps relieve biomedical team workloads and ensure asset availability for caregivers.
The visualization aspect of PAR allows staff to know at a glance which units are running low or overstocked on key assets. In a centralized model, this alerts the responsible team to take appropriate action to quickly redistribute equipment. In a decentralized model, PAR keeps nursing teams in sync with the inventory in their unit and where they can borrow from if they’re running low. Though not a required component to asset tracking with RTLS, PAR level management can propel efficiency and inventory distribution.
STEP 4: CONSIDER ASSET + TAG CONDITIONS
Next, before we begin your RTLS project, we help you evaluate the assets you’re looking to track. Those that deliver the highest ROI or have the highest maintenance or replacement costs are often good places to prioritize. These considerations provide a holistic view of how assets should be managed in your RTLS.
Though asset tag placement is often considered later during implementation, it should be brought into the conversation much earlier. Especially for smaller assets that are easily lost or misplaced, like telemetry packs, tags must be small and secure enough, yet just as accurate. The more often tags emit locating signals, the more “real time” your location data will be, but this can come with battery life tradeoffs. Your RTLS partner will help you weigh all options and variations.
RTLS PRO TIP:
The best RTLS strategy addresses the long-term vision by comparing both biomedical and nursing team needs. We continually see biomedical teams choose one RTLS to manage assets, but then nursing needs another level of locating precision to automate nurse call, manage patient flow or improve caregiver safety. Addressing these needs separately, out of separate budgets, is costly to the health system. Hybrid technology is emerging as an innovative solution to meet these diverse needs. Combining IR with BLE, for example, provides hybrid locating technology that is strategic yet cost-effective. IR delivers accuracy where highly precise detail is critical, like patient care areas, while BLE delivers just as reliable location information with near-room accuracy, but is more cost-effective for areas in need of just asset tracking.
STEP 5: INCORPORATE CMMS INTEGRATIONS
We’ll also want to discuss your CMMS. Biomedical teams primarily work in the CMMS for asset configuration and work orders. Interfacing your CMMS with your RTLS not only centralizes asset data entry to one system, it also provides real-time location information from the RTLS to the CMMS. Biomedical staff can quickly locate assets through the RTLS location field in the CMMS and navigate to the RTLS for a fleet’s real-time information or bigger picture detail. The end result is streamlined tag configuration and management processes and a smoother workflow.
STEP 6: PRIORITIZE INSIGHTS + COMMITTED SUPPORT
Health systems can spend all the time in the world finding the right technology, but RTLS is a journey, not a destination. Midmark RTLS absolutely does the technology right, but it’s our people and decades of experience that make a difference. We and our local partners invest in our customers on day one, and we partner with them throughout their RTLS journey. Customer Success Coaches and local support help analyze data, design best practices and improve processes. We unlock value through deep insights, so that when it all comes together, health systems are empowered to create better patient and caregiver experiences. Because to us, the experience matters – from assets to workflow to everywhere in between. Our mission is to improve the experience between the patient and caregiver. It’s at the heart of everything we do.
To learn how CareFlow RTLS, along with a dedicated and experienced partner, can turn asset management from “everywhere and nowhere” to “right there,” download our eBook at midmark.com/RTLStracking
NEWS & NOTES
Updates from the HTM Industry
BIOMED INSTRUCTOR MENTORS STUDENTS
Texas State Technical College Biomedical Equipment Technology instructor Oziel Capetillo is gratified that his 25 years of industry experience in the electronics and medical fields have helped lead graduates to career success.
“This is my sixth year teaching in the program,” Capetillo said. “It’s important that students grasp hands-on training. I’ve seen what medical equipment can and cannot do. We help patients from behind the scenes.”
Capetillo, who earned an associate degree in laser technology from Texas State Technical Institute (now TSTC) in 1988, followed by an Associate of Applied Science degree in biomedical equipment technology from TSTC in 2007, never imagined that his talent for troubleshooting and repairing electronic devices would bring him back as an instructor to TSTC.
Capetillo gained experience as an electronic engineer technician with Texas Instruments in Dallas in 1988. He relocated to the Rio Grande Valley for family reasons in 1995, then worked as a biomedical equipment technician with DHR Health in 2005. He first taught biomedical equipment technology at TSTC in 2015. He returned to DHR Health for three years before making his way back to
teach at TSTC in 2019.
Among the graduates that Capetillo trained is Edward Garcia, who has worked as a biomedical equipment technician team lead with GE Healthcare at DHR Health for three years.
“Mr. Capetillo was passionate about how he taught,” he said. “It reflected the way he did his lessons, the advice he gave us, and that motivated us to show our commitment to the program.”
Ray Longoria, team lead for TSTC’s Biomedical Equipment Technology and Wind Energy Technology programs at the Harlingen campus, said Capetillo is a good mentor to his students.
“Oziel helps students not only academically, but also coaches them into adulthood,” he said. “His connection with medical professionals has placed many of our graduates in jobs.”
Capetillo said the Biomedical Equipment Technology program welcomes any individual who wants to learn more.
“People will be amazed by how many hands-on activities we do,” he said. “The preventative maintenance our students learn will stay with them forever.”
STICKER TAG OFFERS SCALABLE, COST-EFFECTIVE ASSET TRACKING
Kontakt.io, a leader in health care RTLS and digital transformation, has introduced the Sticker Tag, an ultra-thin, adhesive BLE tag that is ideal for tracking small, flat or disposable assets.
Designed for rapid deployment at scale, Kontakt.io’s Sticker Tag offers a wide range of use cases across health care and other industries, including tracking mobile phones, tablets, patient charts, logistics pallets, office supplies and many more.
As part of Kontakt.io’s turnkey solutions delivered as a service, the Sticker Tag creates foundational data that not only allows every enterprise to gain a real-time view of asset locations and movements, driving loss prevention; it also feeds into an AI-powered platform that turns data into insights and uncovers operational opportunities to cut waste, streamline capacity, improve experiences, and generate ROI.
The Sticker Tag is playing a key role in the health care industry’s largest real time location services deployment, in which Kontakt.io has partnered with a large health system. The initiative involves more than 180 facilities, 300 locations, 500,000 assets and 41,000 licensed beds.
TRIMEDX AMONG TOP 100 INSPIRING WORKPLACES
TRIMEDX was named 30th in the Inspiring Workplaces Group’s 2024 Global Top 100 Inspiring Workplaces list, recognizing people-first organizations.
The Top 100 list is compiled from the highest-scoring winners across each of IW’s operating regions worldwide, including Asia, Australasia, Europe, Latin America, Middle East & Africa, North America, and the UK & Ireland. In each region, The Inspiring Workplaces Awards 2024 asks the same case study questions consisting of six key elements it believes are fundamental to creating an Inspiring Workplace. They are:
• Culture and purpose
• Leadership
• Wellbeing
• Inclusion
• Employee Voice
• Experience
ECRI LAUNCHES HEALTHCARE MARKET INSIGHTS
ECRI is expanding its decision support services by adding new comprehensive market insights. The Healthcare Market Insights platform equips health care leaders to make strategic decisions on purchasing, utilization and inventory – ultimately driving cost savings and enhancing efficiency.
The platform harnesses the latest tools to transform data into actionable insights. It automatically tracks progress and identifies holistic market trends by category nationwide.
“In our mission to make health care safer and more affordable, data transparency is key,” said Marcus Schabacker, ECRI president and CEO. “For nearly 40 years, we have supplied our health care partners with industry-leading, data-informed recommendations that give them the confidence to make informed decisions that impact the lives of patients entrusted to their organizations’ care. It’s a legacy we are proud to build upon through this new platform, which brings even more cost-savings and quality control opportunities within reach.”
The platform is built upon the largest independent GPO-agnostic dataset in the Americas, including proposed and actual spend from more than 3,000 facilities, and leading safety, clinical evidence and functional equivalent data. It compares holistic market trends based on price, market share, market shifts, and the entry of new products, pinpointing opportunities to improve spending on safe medical devices, capital equipment and supplies.
Winners in each region were scored by an independent local expert judging panel, which were subsequently announced at special in-person and online ceremonies earlier in the year. TRIMEDX finished 29th amongst all finalists in North America.
“To be featured in the top tier of people-first organizations across the continent and globe is an amazing accomplishment,” says TRIMEDX Chief Human Resources & Diversity Officer Dawn Griffin. “The culture we have created at TRIMEDX is a result from years of listening to our associates and adjusting to create a workplace for everyone. And we’ll strive to get even better as we learn from our associates how we can continuously improve.”
Organizations of all sizes and industries entered a category defined by how many people are within the business. Independent judges selected the finalists after reviewing applications.
FSI ANNOUNCES INTEGRATION WITH ONEQA
FSI, a leading health care CMMS/EAM provider, has announced an integration with Fluke Biomedical OneQA workflow automation software to bring enhanced efficiency and accuracy to device testing workflows. Offering this innovative approach for the market creates an integration that adds value and usability to launch OneQA device testing from within a CMS work order. Results are automatically recorded, reducing manual data entry and time spent utilizing separate platforms.
OneQA software seamlessly works in tandem with FSI’s CMMS to reduce duplication in device testing for biomedical professionals. The partnership addresses areas that commonly cause frustration in the management of device testing, such as:
• Delays in work orders that require device testing and
documentation between two systems
• Clunky data entry processes and inaccurate reporting
• Friction in preventive maintenance, equipment reliability, and compliance workflows
The OneQA integration is the latest development in FSI’s work to ensure software compatibility and optimized workflows with the tools users rely on most frequently. Introducing integrations focused on compatibility with top tools allows more time and energy to be spent on maintaining a functional health care environment rather than on manually recording and managing CMMS data. Leveraging this integration both minimizes time needed to complete device testing workflows and adds a layer of data accuracy that supports widespread functions in health care maintenance management.
The latest news and events from TechNation
HTM MIXER OFFERS CE CREDITS
The upcoming HTM Mixer in Lexington, Kentucky, has been approved for 10 CE credit hours by the ACI. Attendee registration is open.
The HTM Mixer Lexington, proudly supported by KAMI, will begin on Friday, November 15 and conclude on Saturday, November 16 at the Marriott Resort Griffin Gate (1800 Newtown Pike, Lexington, KY 40511).
Educational sessions offered at the HTM Mixer include:
• Digital Portable and Mobile X-ray Devices
• Immersive Training for Technicians: Using Extended Realities and AI to Create Better HTMs
• Resilience: A tool for today’s HTM challenges
• Project Management Involving Medical Equipment Installations
• Data-Driven Decision-Making to Increase Asset Availability and Reduce Costs
• HTM Equipment Integration Challenges Working with Information Technology
• Top-Notch Customer Service within the Clinical Environment, for Non-Clinical Associates
• Care and Handling of Endoscopes and Ultrasound TEE Transducers
An HTM Mixer has everything an MD Expo offers HTM professionals just on a smaller scale.
Think of it as an event that combines the best of a state association annual meeting and an MD Expo. The two-day conference includes an exhibit hall, educational opportunities and networking events.
For more information, visit HTMMixer.com.
OEM NE W
AAMI UPDATE
How Technology & Finances Foster Remote Health Reimagination
BY REBECCA CROSSLEY, CBET
Healthcare technology management professionals, such as biomedical equipment technicians (BMETs) and clinical engineers (CEs), are used to working in hospital environments. However, in the last several years, many of us have had to learn more about a relatively new health care setting – a patient’s home.
A boom in remote health services resulted in several factors, including the demise of many rural hospitals and the financial difficulties faced by smaller hospitals in general. This has led to larger health systems joining with or outright buying smaller systems. In some cases, those larger systems have kept the smaller systems essentially intact. In many instances, however, the smaller systems are simply disappearing.
The closure of smaller hospitals, especially in rural areas, has provided opportunities for other health care approaches, like urgent care centers, surgery centers, and micro hospitals, to fill gaps in care.
NO COOKIE CUTTER FIX
There is no cookie cutter solution to the problem of the growing need to provide remote health care services. Maybe this is a good thing. Why? Because it has allowed larger health systems and state departments of health to be more creative and to find innovative solutions that work in their communities.
The Future of Rural Health Care Task Force, formed by the American Hospital Association (AHA), recently published a report detailing final recommendations on promising care alternatives in the rural sector.
The report indicated that there are multiple ways to deal with the disappearance of smaller hospitals. One obvious pathway is telemedicine. The COVID-19 pandemic propelled the geometric utilization of telemedicine technology forward. This telemedicine model includes virtual hospitals in which patients can go to a single location to be assessed by a remotely located physician. Virtual pods are another viable pathway where patients with similar health problems are monitored remotely while they remain at home.
These remote alternatives are ultimately only possible because medical equipment has become smaller and smaller over time. Patients are now able to wear medical devices for continuous monitoring. Higher-end equipment that never would have been able to be moved to a patient’s home is now much more accessible to patients who need home care. For example, take dialysis machines like the NxStage System One by Fresenius Medical Care. It is currently the only portable dialysis machine authorized in the U.S. for at home dialysis. It weighs 75 pounds and is one foot tall. This system requires no special electrical connection or plumbing connection, allowing patients to be treated at home. One might expect this device to be a trendsetter, not an outlier, for future device innovation.
In addition, the increase in the use of paramedics and funding for these types of programs has led to a trend where communities are employing paramedics to go to homes and assess patients under the remote supervision of a physician. Under these programs, patients are identified, and paramedic teams take their equipment and knowledge to the patient. They perform an assessment under the supervision of a physician, who then recommends the form of treatment. This type of program also has proven very useful in large cities where some patients are shut in and the health care institutions are overwhelmed. In these instances, it enables the patient to be
evaluated quicker and gives the health care facility time to process patients that, in theory, would be higher acuity.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health has been looking at various innovative hospital models and has started to offer three initiatives in its efforts to ensure patients have access to the best quality care that supports effective and efficient care. These programs are micro hospitals, telemedicine emergency rooms, and outpatient emergency departments. Micro hospitals are acute care facilities with at least 10 in-patient beds. There are no surgical services offered. This allows for acute care in those rural, smaller facilities. Telemedicine emergency rooms are those smaller rural facilities that are staffed by advanced practice providers and a remote physician. These facilities are open 24x7, 365 days a year. Outpatient emergency departments are outpatient facilities that do not offer any inpatient beds.
Biomedical or clinical engineering departments are rapidly trying to support these developments in remote care. Some systems are employing technicians to travel to these remote facilities and continue to offer maintenance and repair services. This approach often proves costly. Many hospitals grapple with providing services in a cost-effective manner. This can result in technicians driving their own cars and being reimbursed by mileage or purchasing a company vehicle. Neither seem to be very cost effective. Another approach is to position technicians as close as possible to the remote hospital and have them rotate among several facilities, thus reporting to a different facility as their place of work for a given day. This also has its limitations, including legal ones.
As the remote health care industry continues to evolve so must HTM and clinical engineering departments. I believe the HTM field is in the infant stage of learning and deciding how to address the issues that come along with higher acuity and sheer volume of equipment that is and will be in patient homes. We will need to come together with AAMI and other standards-development organizations to meet these needs head on. We will need to change from strictly thinking of hospital-based equipment to embracing work in a patient’s house when it comes to equipment maintenance.
I have no doubt HTM professionals will continue to lead the way in equipment maintenance.
Rebecca Crossley, CBET, is a BMET specialist at UPMC in North Central Pennsylvania.
RIBBON CUTTING
Ethical Imaging Solutions LLC
Ethical Imaging Solutions provides service for MRI and CT equipment in a revolutionary new way. “We do this by putting honesty, fairness and truthfulness at the core of our company. It’s not only in the name but also in the way we perform our services,” said Ethical Imaging Solutions LLC President Mike McVey. “We genuinely value the relationship between our company and our clients.”
“At Ethical we understand the importance in being able to promptly diagnose and treat your patients. Our company strives to provide the solution to your imaging problems efficiently and expeditiously,” he added. “Implementing honesty and fairness not only helps us succeed but allows our clients to better help their patients.”
TechNation found out more about Ethical Imaging Solutions via a Q&A.
Q: WHAT ARE SOME OF THE SERVICES AND PRODUCTS YOU OFFER?
A: At Ethical Imaging we pride ourselves in the prompt and efficient delivery of MRI and CT service. We provide repair, maintenance, installation and deinstallation along with equipment sales. Our
approach helps to drive customer cost down without sacrificing exceptional service.
Q: DO YOU HAVE ANY GOALS YOU WOULD LIKE TO ACHIEVE IN THE NEAR FUTURE?
A: Our goal is to grow our company in an Ethical way to help develop a higher industry standard. As an Ethical company, we must have and maintain a stellar reputation to stand out in this industry. We have chosen to hold ourselves to this standard by being unsurpassed in this field in terms of our service and relationships. We are focusing on providing the most knowledgeable service while continually pursuing unparalleled relationships with our clients.
Q: IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU WOULD LIKE OUR READERS TO KNOW?
A: Our President, Mike McVey, began his engineering career in the United States Marine Corp. In 2001, he began his path as a field service engineer for MRI and CT. His knowledge and reputation in the field grew quickly and so did his position. Mike has not only been national support for companies but has also taught many training classes. He has held managerial roles in several well-known companies prior to starting Ethical Imaging Solutions with his family. We are a family owned and operated company and we want everyone to be treated like a part of our family.
For more information, visit ethicalimagingsolutions.com.
Trusted
A.M. Bickford is the authorized US distributor and calibration service provider for the FI-8000P Riken Gas Indicator.
• The all-in-one solution for measuring gas concentration of Sevoflurane, Isoflurane, Desflurane, and Halothane.
• Updated software and firmware.
• Approximately 50% faster than previous model.
• Intuitive user experience.
• One-touch switching between gases.
ECRI UPDATE Understanding ‘Human Factors’ is Not ‘Factors Associated with Being Human’
BY PATRICE D. TREMOULET, PHD
Modern health care relies on a variety of physical and digital assets and tools. Sophisticated medical devices help in diagnosing and treating disease. Advanced materials prevent the spread of bacteria. Diverse physical environments are used to deliver care and promote healing.
Even as the health care system relies on this tapestry of inanimate resources, health care remains fundamentally human. It’s people who give and receive care and people who help ensure safety and quality. Yet humans can also misstep. When humans make errors, we ask why.
Human Factors Engineers specialize in understanding how design of a system creates opportunities for human error. Their mission is to design work systems to support the work people need to accomplish. With that perspective, human error becomes an impetus to find weaknesses in the system so that safety and performance goals can be met.
WHY WE NEED TO VIEW HEALTH CARE AS A SYSTEM
Health care is a complex system in which errors can occur if something is poorly designed or used in an unintended way. Problems in one part of the system can create hazards in another part of the system. And, if not discovered, problems in any part of the system could cause harm to patients or clinicians.
This image represents health care as a system. Safety science research demonstrates that the most effective, safe, and sustainable system designs consider all components of a work system. In health care systems, components include:
• People
• Tasks and processes
• Tools and technology
• Physical environment
• Supporting organizational structure
Outside of these five components, which make up the internal environment, there is an external environment. The external environment contains elements that are outside the internal system yet still affect it. The external environment introduces challenges that
cannot be controlled but still must be accounted for in the design of the internal environment.
When you view health care as a system, it becomes clear that problems are often more complicated than they first appear. But that means there are more ways to solve those problems than may be apparent at first.
Every health care worker is an extremely important part of how well the health care system works, and each person has the power to affect safety and quality in their facility. What follows is an example of how the interplay of people and internal and external elements can inadvertently cause patient harm.
SYSTEM SAFETY: ‘PUMP’ IT UP
Consider the infusion pump – a common medical device often seen next to a patient’s bed. The pump is connected to the patient, and a nurse programs the infusion pump to deliver medicine or food at the rate and time prescribed.
A nurse was programming an infusion pump to give 20 mcg of medicine over an hour. But instead of 20, she programmed 200. While some assumed the nurse was careless, a closer look revealed that the infusion pump had a bad design.
As the nurse was programming the pump, she pressed the zero, but the zero didn’t show up on the display. The problem was that the display didn’t show the numbers as quickly as the nurse entered them. She didn’t know that, though; she thought the pump didn’t record her button press. So, she pressed the button again, which entered an extra zero. This is a problem with the “tool and technology” part of the system.
What else was going on? For one thing, the nurse was very busy – as nurses usually are – so she was trying to work quickly. The nurse being very busy is an organizational problem, because the hospital didn’t schedule enough nurses to work that day. That was also part of an external environment problem because there was a shortage of nurses to hire, which caused the hospital to be short-staffed.
This pump mishap was a physical environment problem because the nurse was trying to work across a large hospital floor and get to her next patient down the hall. There was a task and process problem because the method the hospital uses for buying infusion pumps didn’t include a test for usability problems before buying the pump. And there was another external environment problem: that an infusion pump with a poor design could be sold on the market.
That’s a long list of issues, but it’s not exhaustive.
There may have been other contributing factors across the system.
If we blamed the nurse and moved on, we wouldn’t know that many issues led to this event. The nurse might be reprimanded and retrained to use the faulty infusion pump. While that might help prevent that nurse from making the same mistake, what happens when a different nurse is using the same infusion pump and has the same problem? Another patient could be harmed.
DESIGNING WITH HUMANS AT THE CENTER
The infusion pump scenario illustrates the complexities that shape health care system safety. By examining the problem from a system perspective, we see that there are many issues to address if we truly want to stop these types of problems from happening again.
Indeed, poor system design is health care’s most critical safety challenge. Health care takes place in complex sociotechnical environments that stress clinicians, leading to burnout and medical errors. Taking a system perspective enables us to:
• Gain an accurate understanding of how things are working
• Identify contributing factors during data collection
• Craft an expanded solution set
• Achieve effective and sustainable outcomes
For an organization to achieve a goal of total system safety – meaning that the organization enables people to work efficiently and effectively and be able to easily detect and prevent potential harm – it is necessary to design the system to support those safety and reliability goals.
Working collaboratively, human factors engineers and safety teams can take a blended approach that considers both the clinical environment and the organization’s safety infrastructure. Using human factors engineering, it’s possible to transform patient safety by designing a work system that supports health workers in delivering care.
As your health care organization works to improve safety, consider engaging human factors engineers from ECRI. We can help you take a truly human-centered, total systems approach to safety. Learn more: https://home. ecri.org/pages/patient-safety-advisory-services
Patrice D. Tremoulet, PhD, is the director of human factors engineering at ECRI.
HANDS-ON TRAINING
Hands-On Training With a Variety of Equipment:
• MRI
• X-RAY
• ULTRASOUND
• MAMMOGRAM
• CT/PET SOLUTIONS
ISO 13485:2016 certified
High Performance Gas Flow Analyzers
Experience the highest precision combined with intuitive usability for testing
Mechanical Ventilators, Anesthesia Devices and more.
Domestic ISO 17025 accredited Calibration Laboratory open for service.
LIVE DEMO: NOV. 6 at 2 PM ET
Registration on WebinarWednesday.live. Eligible for 1 CE credit from the ACI.
TOOLS OF THE TRADE
FSI CMMS Flow Tool
Achieve a new level of operational efficiency from a CMMS with the time-saving, error-reducing automation capabilities introduced with FSI’s new Flow Tool. FSI’s Flow Tool combines added automation with the customization that FSI users benefit from throughout the platform. Flow enables users to create custom automations, streamlining common workflows from a lengthy multitude of clicks to one press of a button.
For an additional level of automation, FSI has partnered with Fluke Biomedical to integrate with OneQA workflow automation software, allowing users
to run OneQA and display results directly within a work order procedure, cutting down manual steps in device testing workflows.
Join us for a 1-hour session led by Mike Zimmer, solutions engineering manager at FSI, on how automation capabilities with FSI’s new Flow Tool for custom automations and OneQA integration for device testing take maintenance management to the next level of efficiency.
For more information, visit fsiservices.com
BIOMED 101
Field Service Biomed Shares Tips
BY CHACE TORRES, CBET, CHTM
Iwant to impart some knowledge, give some tips, tricks, and tools to younger cats out there getting into the field service realm of biomed. Maybe it’s your first time jumping into it. I have noticed there is a trend of people leaving biomed programs, going after their first job, getting out of the military and getting into field service. So, there’s more of an interest in it, which is great. Working for an independent service organization can be very rewarding. You get to be a hero with multiple medical facilities across your region. So, it can be an awesome experience. The things that I’m going to talk about today are simply things to note that I’ve witnessed doing the job and seeing technicians implement or fail to implement these tasks.
Number one, you need to be comfortable being uncomfortable in field service. While you can plan somewhat because of scheduled PM intervals, field service is very reactionary. You can have days where it is extremely hectic and you have to adapt, acclimate, and hit the ground running.
An example of this was last week when I had two sites with scheduled for preventative maintenance inspections. Before I left my house for the first site, I got a call that a dialysis scale went down and they were unable to accurately weigh patients. In dialysis, the before and after weights for patients are very important, and this was their only scale.
Luckily, they had a load cell on hand. I was able to get out there, swap out the load cell, recalibrate the scale, get them up and going, and head to my first scheduled PM. After leaving the first place, four more service calls came in for incoming inspections for electrical safety of loaner devices. Essentially two scheduled visits turned into adding 5 more locations in one day. You’ve got to be comfortable being uncomfortable. If you can do that and you thrive in it, you will be successful in field service.
Secondly, you must be able to manage yourself. Take, for instance, those seven calls. All of that has to be properly documented, properly billed out, and
properly scheduled. Time management is paramount in field service. Besides the client service aspect, you have management of your mileage reimbursement, handling your time clock, responding to/sending emails. A lot of things will be occurring at once all throughout the workday. Technicians get let go in field service because they don’t manage their time and fall behind, work piles up and it creates a snowball effect. It ends up impacting their productivity, which for most organizations in an ISO capacity your time is equivalent to what you’re billing back. For example, we expect 75% of your time to be billed back to the client. Which might seem high to some people that aren’t familiar with it, but it’s really not. For an in-house position, it’s going to be much more of your time that has to be captured. Time placed on every device, call, email, etc. Believe it or not, several technicians are able to get a 100% captured productivity every single day for their time. It’s how you manage and how you document it. If you can do that, you will be successful.
Number three, in field service you will likely spend a lot of time in your car. You will be taking calls, sending emails, scheduling stuff while you’re on the road. You can spend a third to two thirds of your day in the car.
Traffic is just part of the job. And some people can’t handle being in their car for an extended amount of time. Not to mention, driving a lot is going to impact the maintenance on your car, requiring more of you keeping up with your car, because your car is your livelihood. And I’ve had people have issues with that.
You can explain what to expect on the job as a biomed in field service to somebody, but until they actually experience it, they won’t know for sure if it’s right for them. I’ve had people do a year on the job in field service and come to the realization that they would actually prefer sitting at a bench every day and working on a pallet of IV pumps. Some people are built for the field service mentally, and some people are not. It’s a little bit more fast-paced. It’s very reactionary, but there are benefits. I would say that I am a very well-rounded general biomed because of
“The better equipped you are, the better the service for our medical facilities.”
all the years that I’ve put into field service. I’ve worked on dozens of the same type of modality, different manufacturers, different makes and models, different revisions. You will see every single thing you possibly could see out in the wild, hitting different calls in different locations because every site’s going to have something different. You could have one hospital that just loves Stryker or loves GE. Then you could have another hospital that loves Olympus, Karl Storz, or Mindray. You get to experience so many different types of the medical infrastructure than you would as an in-house physician.
This is not me bagging on in-house positions because they also have benefits. Being in-house, you get the opportunity to work alongside senior biomeds. You get to work alongside other coworkers. So, knowledge sharing, left seat, right seat training, the opportunity to have more of a mentorship, oversight, and the ability to fail and be lifted up is a little bit easier in-house because you have that support system. It’s a little bit harder to do it in field service because, more often than not, you are not working alongside each other every day. Most of the time it’s me giving them a call saying, “Hey, what’s going on? How is everything doing? What can I do to assist you?” All of us are texting one another about “Have you seen this issue before?” Lastly, let’s just
consider that you’re going to be largely independent. With that independence over the years, you pick up on some things. I’m going to give you a quick run down. Coffee in the morning is life. Don’t expect to stay clean for long – extra shirts or scrubs come in handy. I’ve had hydraulic fluid dump on my clothes and in my mouth. I’ve ripped the crotch of my pants on several occasions. Having a power bank to charge your tablet or phone is a very clutch move as well. I listen to music all the time between driving or doing PMs/repairs. Build your playlists for different moods because you will experience many thresholds of emotion in this career. Invest in your comfort. I rock the Sketchers slip-ons with memory foam or cowboy boots for non-surgical days, because I’m on my feet all day. Field service techs usually have to provide their own tools. You don’t need the latest and greatest but if you see something out there you think will make you more proficient or quicker doing a job … splurge! The better equipped you are, the better the service for our medical facilities. Hope you got something out of this and keep doing great things one service stop at a time.
Chace
Torres, DFW Branch Manager (SPBS), Host of Bearded Biomed Podcast, 2024 AAMI & GE BMET Of The Year.
gehealthcare.com
WEBINAR EDUCATES ABOUT SERVICE DELIVERY WITH AI
The recent Webinar Wednesday session “Powering the Future of Service Delivery with AI” is eligible for 1 CE credit from the ACI via the on-demand webinar. In the live presentation, GE HealthCare’s Senior Product Manager Jean-Michel Gard, Sabih Zaman, Executive of Product Management for USCAN, and Chris Clawson, GM, Unite Shared Services, USCAN, shared insights regarding the 4th world revolution powered by AI and how it can help health care providers efficacy in their daily life.
The presenters shared information regarding:
• AI trends impacting health care and HTM.
• Leveraging AI and IOT capabilities to improve service delivery.
• Linking department and organization goals to current and future AI and predictive capabilities.
Attendees were asked “How much new information did you receive from today’s webinar?
“I had very little knowledge in the AI field, so a great deal,” - Robert Berger, a perioperative nurse at NMC Camp Lejeune.
“Amazing to ‘predict’ breakdown and thus prepare,” - Sharon Alexander, a senior engineer with C Alexander Consulting.
“Learned a lot about AI and predictive maintenance. Excited about the possibilities,” - Roger Bowles, an instructor at Texas State Technical College.
WEBINAR ADDRESSES BUILDING TRUST ACROSS DEPARTMENTS
TechNation’s Webinar Wednesday series recently featured “A Nurse’s Perspective: Building Trust in Mobile Equipment Asset Management Across Departments” sponsored by Tech Knowledge Associates (TKA). It is eligible for 1 credit from the ACI.
TKA Director of Business Development Heather Martin, RN, BSN, discussed how to optimize mobile equipment management to enhance patient care and streamline workflows.
Martin addressed many aspects of optimization including: specific needs and challenges faced by nursing staff regarding mobile medical equipment
• how challenges impact biomedical technicians and the work they do on a daily basis
• other departments that are impacted by these challenges
• explained READI+ and how it can impact equipment availability including how RTLS fits into this best practice environment
• steps to build trust, collaboration and an environment of “unified efficiency” across departments?
It was a popular webinar among biomeds and nurses with 140 individuals registered and 79 logged in for the live presentation. A recording of the webinar is available for on-demand viewing at WebinarWednesday.live Christi Edmonds, a clinical coordinator with Atrium Wake Forest Baptist Health in North Carolina won a pair of Apple AirPods during the webinar. Attendees were asked, “ How did today’s webinar meet your expectations?”
“Explained exactly what I was interested in, a nurse’s perspective on equipment management. Everything I heard was insightful,” - Alan Nicewarner, CBET, with BSWH McKinney.
“Learned a lot about real time tracking and its benefits,” - Robert Smothers, a field service engineer with Hospital Shared Services Inc.
“It was interesting to hear what a clinician thought about mobile asset management. When I worked as a biomed tech in a large hospital, finding pumps and cart mounted equipment was a constant headache,” - Richard Woods, training academy director at ReNew Biomedical.
“Presenter was energetic and knowledgeable about the material, and it was interesting to see something I personally noticed in the field being discussed and a solution presented,” - Gex Treisch, a BMET with Avita Ontario.
Nurses also shared feedback.
The session provided valuable insights into the importance of fostering trust between departments when managing mobile equipment, which is crucial for seamless operations and patient care. The presenter’s focus on practical strategies for improving communication and collaboration aligned perfectly with the challenges we face in health care management. The content was highly relevant, and the professional delivery allowed for meaningful engagement. Overall, the session was both informative and applicable to our department’s needs,” - Azmeena Nizar, nurse manager (operating room), Aga Khan University Hospital Karachi in Pakistan.
All webinars, podcast, and product demos are eligible for 1 CE credit from the ACI.
tenacore.com
TENACORE CEO DEMOS NEW VENDING SOLUTION
Webinar Wednesday recently presented the Tenacore Vending Solution Live Demo. A recording of the webinar, which was sponsored by Tenacore, is available for on-demand viewing at WebinarWednesday.live.
Tenacore CEO Riley Van Hofwegen described the features and options of the Tenacore Vending Solution. It is a convenient and innovative product for health care facilities. This state-of-the-art inventory solution is specifically designed to store and dispense patient cables and other high-use products. With its user-friendly interface, clinicians and administrators can quickly access a wide variety of products, ensuring they always have the right equipment on-hand. The machine’s design allows it to fit seamlessly into any environment, while its secure storage system ensures products are kept in stock and organized. Attendees also gained additional information during a Q&A session with Van Hofwegen.
Bret Grimm, a biomed with Commonspirit in Texas won a pair of Apple AirPods during the webinar. The prize was awarded as part of Webinar Wednesday’s ongoing 10th anniversary celebration.
Attendees were asked, “What was your single biggest takeaway from today’s product demo?”
“I learned more about Tenacore and their capabilities. I appreciated their forward thinking outside the box around how to supply accessories more ‘on demand’ to staff,” - Robert Wentworth, vice president of biomedical operations for VIKAND Solutions Inc.
“Great idea to be shared with the departments in need of timely solutions for their needs,” - Rafik Mesropyan, CBET, with Kaiser Permanente.
“If the machine functions as presented, it could definitely make day-to-day functions of certain departments much more simple and efficient,” - Brian Caruso, CBET/Clinical Engineering, with Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare.
“Never seen anything like this. All new to me and was interesting,” - Mitch Hoffman, CBET, with Parkview Health System.
WEBINAR EXPLORES POWER OF REACTS IN FIELD SERVICE
TechNation’s Webinar Wednesday continues its 10th anniversary celebration of providing top-notch educational sessions to HTM professionals! The webinar “Revolutionizing Support: The Power of REACTS in Field Service” is sponsored by AllParts and eligible for 1 credit from the ACI.
In the engaging webinar, AllParts Medical’s expert Technical Support Specialists Archie Mathis and Dale Laymon explored REACTS, an innovative app-based communication tool designed to revolutionize customer and field service support. REACTS leverages cutting-edge technology, including augmented reality, to provide remote guidance that feels like having a virtual, expert technician right by your side. Attendees were able to learn about how this powerful tool can streamline operations, enhance service efficiency and elevate customer satisfaction.
The webinar was popular with close to 100 attendees for the live presentation. A recording of the webinar is available for on-demand viewing at WebinarWednesday.com.
As part of the 10th anniversary celebration, Dakota Nash, a device integration engineer in Georgia, won a pair of Apple AirPods.
Attendees were asked “What does Webinar Wednesday provide the industry?”
“Provides helpful insight into new and emerging technologies,” - Jody Butler, a biomedical equipment technician with Memorial Hospital of Sweetwater Memorial.
“Webinar Wednesday provides the industry insight to resources that we may not have known about otherwise as well as helpful information pertaining to changes in the industry,” - Robert Wentworth, vice president biomedical operations with VIKAND.
“Updates, useful information to be informed in this fast-paced industry,” - Rafik Mesropyan, CBET, with Kaiser Permanente.
“A way to get good training out to the masses,” - Chris Benner, a biomed tech with CVMC.
H ROUNDTABLE Test Equipment
TM professionals address a variety of issues daily from a fleet of patient monitors in need of PMs to a ventilator in need of repair in the middle of a complicated surgery. These heroes behind the scenes need the correct tools and devices to be able to do their vital work at health care facilities around the world. TechNation interviewed subject matter experts to learn about the latest test equipment features, updates and more.
Participants in the 2024 test equipment roundtable article are:
• Pronk Technologies Vice President of Business Development Greg Alkire
• Healthmark, A Getinge company, Special Projects Manager Jahan Azizi
• Southeastern Biomedical Associates Inc. Co-Owner Boyd S. Campbell, CBET, CRES, CHTM
• RTI Group Vice President of Sales-North America Steve Holmes
• Radcal Co-Director of Global Sales Steve Jack
• IMT.Analytics Inc. Director of Business Development Kerwin Sanger
• BC Group International Vice President of Sales & Marketing Tim Welby
Q: WHAT IS ONE PIECE OF TEST EQUIPMENT EVERY HTM PROFESSIONAL NEEDS AND WHY?
ALKIRE: For HTM professionals performing service on the most common medical devices in a facility, they need a range of test equipment. This is one reason they asked us to provide a “tool bag” that contained the devices that are in high demand. The BMET PACK was created for this purpose – a complete, portable toolkit the HTM professional can configure with the test equipment that matches their needs, including all the standard accessories. They can sling the BMET PACK over their shoulders, and it can hold their laptop or tablet, too. This portable solution makes it easy for biomedical engineers to have all their critical tools ready in a single, portable pack.
AZIZI: McGan Insulation Tester. According to ANSI/AAMI ST79 8.2.1, “Insulated electrical current instruments are susceptible to physical and mechanical damage and degradation related to repeat use. Defects in insulation are not always visually detectable; some are only detectable through use of insulation and continuity testing devices. … Damage to insulated instruments including cords can occur during normal use, processing, contact with sharp instruments, and use of high voltage.” (AAMI).
CAMPBELL: A knowledgeable technician is the most critical “piece of test equipment” in any testing environment. While devices and tools provide essential
data and functionality, it’s the technician’s expertise that interprets, diagnoses and effectively utilizes those tools. Understanding the nuances of the equipment, knowing how to troubleshoot, and being able to adapt to various scenarios are invaluable skills that no device can fully replace. In essence, the combination of technical knowhow and proper equipment will ensure accurate testing and reliable results.
HOLMES: Your diagnostic imaging X-ray test equipment needs will depend on your specific testing requirements. RTI’s Piranha, Cobia, and Mako meters provide comprehensive solutions for all X-ray applications, while our full line of probes and accessories ensures flexibility for expanding departments. With advancements driven by our Ocean Next software, RTI continues to lead innovation, streamlining workflow and ensuring traceability and compliance.
JACK: A versatile X-ray test meter designed to adapt to new technology is a must. Radcal’s Accu-Gold+ T3 and T3 Professional X-ray QA meters meet both the user's need for quick checks and in-depth Excel reporting tasks. These meters, coupled with our AG3 software offers users machine specific preset profiles. These profiles provide the user with single exposure results without having to do manual instrument or software setting changes. Profiles simplify the measurement process.
SANGER: A high-accuracy, easy-to-use, quality, flow analyzer. There is a myriad of devices in a hospital that produce gas flows and pressures. Ensuring their accuracy is crucial to patient safety.
WELBY: It’s a toss-up between a multi-meter and electrical safety analyzer. They are the most widely used pieces of testing equipment.
Q: HOW HAS TEST EQUIPMENT CHANGED OVER THE YEARS? WHAT ARE SOME OF THE LATEST FEATURES?
ALKIRE: Test equipment has evolved greatly from years past. HTM professionals often used to share large, benchtop devices, whereas now they have the ability to utilize portable, durable and more affordable solutions. Also, advancements in the test equipment user interface has opened a new frontier. Wireless communication solutions allow technicians to use their smart devices to control the test equipment, run the manufacturer’s and/or the organization’s AEM procedures, and electronically capture all the test results. This streamlines the testing of a medical device, eliminates the manual paperwork and provides greater accuracy of the tests being performed and the documentation. Pronk has worked closely with the HTM community to provide such a solution. Pronk Mobilize Wireless Solution saves the HTM professional significant time versus having to do this manually as you traditionally have to
do with a standard piece of test equipment.
AZIZI: The earlier versions were made for industries. They were not user-friendly and safe to use. The McGan is manufactured with a rechargeable battery. The insulation tester a) maintains applied test voltage with a constant current source; b) features full test current at low voltages; c) limitedoutput current for operational safety; d) easy-to-read LED indicators; and e) an LED display of alarm and battery charge.
CAMPBELL: Biomedical test equipment has evolved significantly over the years, driven by advancements in technology, a focus on patient safety and the increasing complexity of medical devices. Test equipment is now more compact and portable than just a few years ago. In addition, connectivity has come a long way where test devices are capable of being automated and then also taking it a step further of integrating into a CMMS. This data can now be analyzed to look for trends to justify AEMs or altering PM schedules.
HOLMES: Today’s HTM professionals should explore RTI’s latest solutions, designed to eliminate manual data entry and future-proof your workflow. Key features to look for include plug-and-play probes, quick setup with 100m Bluetooth, options for both invasive and non-invasive mA/mAs measurements, automated reporting, and customized test procedures that minimize tube heat, all ensuring a more efficient and streamlined process.
JACK: In the field of diagnostic X-ray QA “ease of use” is very important. So, over the years, Radcal has designed meters that make the end user's measurements less complicated. The fewer meter settings the user has to change saves time and money. Preset profiles for quicker measurement time is essential. Being able to capture multiple regions of interest with one exposure is a game changer. Selecting a standalone meter that also has computer connectivity with report generation capability improves productivity.
SANGER: The biggest changes in test equipment are in their user interfaces. Today’s devices are feature rich and if they are well designed, they are intuitive to use and configurable. They should streamline the workflow to help biomeds gain efficiency in testing and reporting.
WELBY: Bluetooth/app capabilities are expanding with focus on integration to CMMS systems. Developing equipment with touch screen displays is a plus to the end users by creating a more intuitive experience while using a piece of equipment.
Q:
WHAT ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS TO LOOK FOR IN A TEST EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURER?
ALKIRE: It is important to consider a test equipment company as a partner who provides the HTM professional
with products that can withstand the rigors of servicing medical devices. This should be a partner whom you can contact not only for technical assistance but also for training and education regarding best practices when performing service. The company should show a willingness to incorporate your feedback into new product designs and/or toward enhancing existing products. In addition, the test equipment partner should provide products with a path for product growth as more features are introduced. Of course, having a strong warranty and reliability are always must-haves.
AZIZI: User friendliness and safety for the operator. The earlier versions were not used by technicians; they were cumbersome and hard to use. McGan is designed with users in mind.
CAMPBELL: When selecting biomedical test equipment, it is essential to consider several key factors to ensure safety, accuracy and efficiency in a health care setting. First, it is important that the test device you are considering is the right tool for the job and meets the need. Secondly, a device must deliver accurate and reliable results. Whether it is measuring electrical safety, performance of a ventilator, or calibration of an IV pump, accuracy is non-negotiable. Lastly, the manufacturer needs to have the highest quality available. With budgets getting tighter, biomeds are needing devices to work longer before needing replacement. One other consideration is, just like patient care devices, it should be determined if on-site support of the manufacturer is important.
HOLMES: Your next X-ray QA investment should provide a comprehensive solution for routine checks, service events and preventative maintenance. Beyond considering support, service and total cost of ownership, it’s essential to choose a manufacturer with a strong legacy of innovation and mastery in R&D, not just minor updates. RTI combines decades of expertise with a commitment to pioneering X-ray safety and precision. Look for equipment that’s reliable, precise and consistent, backed by a manufacturer offering a 2-year warranty and 2-year OEMrecommended calibration cycle, quick turnaround times and extensive online training and support.
years. Since these instruments have strict calibration and service requirements, the relationship one has with their provider is as important as the instrument itself. Look for a longstanding provider that can be your partner in the industry.
SANGER: The manufacturer should have experience and expertise in the field of both medical and biomedical devices. Many companies simply acquire or develop devices to sell without a true understanding of the end user’s needs. The manufacturer should also be very customer focused before and after the sale. They should be responsive and supportive of their customers.
WELBY: The availability of equipment, parts, calibrations (on-site and depot). Listening to the customers’ needs and formulating a solution to meet/exceed their needs. One that stands by their products and is easy to work with. Finally, supporting the customer after the sale.
Q: WHAT TOOL OR TESTING DEVICE ARE YOU THE MOST EXCITED ABOUT RIGHT NOW?
ALKIRE: We are very pleased with the introduction of our latest product, the Pressure MAX Digital Pressure Meter. It has been very well-received by the HTM community who, at the same time, needed some additional solutions for challenges they were experiencing. So, in hearing that, we introduced a new tool to help, which provides the capability to generate pressure in an easy and precise way, and it’s called the Pronk Pressure Inflator. It is a manual hand pump that can generate positive and negative pressures with the ability to set coarse and fine pressure adjustments. It can be used with the Pronk Pressure MAX, SimCube NIBP Simulator, and the FlowTrax IV Pump Analyzer, significantly reducing the time to test due to the ability to set accurate pressure test points quickly.
AZIZI: The insulation and continuity testers. These devices are designed with patient safety in mind.
JACK: In X-ray imaging quality assurance, the lifetime of an instrument is critically important and varies greatly. Some providers offer service and support for 10, 20, even 40 years while others terminate service of systems after as little as 5-10
CAMPBELL: The biggest leaps made recently are in IV pump testing. With so many IV pumps within the hospital and the need to PM them in a timely manner, greater pressure is on the technician to get them completed quickly, but thoroughly. With automation such as the Fluke Biomedical Infusion Device analyzer that includes their built-in
Jahan Azizi Healthmark
Boyd S. Campbell Southeastern Biomedical
Greg Alkire Pronk Technologies
Steve Jack Radcal
Kerwin Sanger IMT.Analytics
Steve Holmes RTI Group
Timy Welby BC Group International
automation of OneQA and the ability to test 4 IV pumps at one time reduces the workload and minimizes the potential for human error.
HOLMES: Mako! Mako is our new and cutting-edge solution that transforms X-ray testing with its plug-and-play simplicity and groundbreaking sensor technology. Offering best-in-class accuracy and an unmatched range of applications, Mako delivers unparalleled efficiency. You can place Mako probes in any orientation within the X-ray beam to measure kVp, time, HVL, total filtration, dose, and more, while enjoying detailed waveform presentations. With options to add mAs, DAP, CTDI, and light measurements, Mako is the most versatile and advanced meter available today.
JACK: We are very proud to introduce our brand new T3’s X-ray QA meter with unmatched Profile Technology. Profiles are used to define the measurement process. They spell out trigger parameters, filtration requirements, the breakdown of the measurement (such as having a scout pulse) and the end of the pulse. Special calibrations are built into the profiles eliminating the need for user meter settings interface. Profiles allow you to specify different techniques for special measurements rather than relying on across-the-board catch-all techniques. Simply select the machine specific profile and start making measurements – it’s that easy!
SANGER: There are two. First, our library of apps that are resident on our FlowAnalyser PF-300 PRO and our CITREX H5 ventilator testers. Apps guide the user through testing procedures of specific ventilators per the manufacturer’s specifications and provide reports populated with values captured by the analyzer. Second is our PC based FlowLab software that enhances all our flow analyzers. FlowLab uses data provided by the analyzers to create custom reports and gives the user the ability to build their own testing sequences.
WELBY: Working with the different CMMS companies and OEMs to integrate the flow of information from our MyBCmobile app to their platform.
Q: WHAT ELSE DO YOU THINK TECHNATION READERS NEED TO KNOW ABOUT TEST EQUIPMENT?
ALKIRE: Having the right accessories can make a big difference during service calls. A portable battery designed to meet the demands of biomedical engineering is one such example. We are pleased to introduce the Pronk Power Bank, a lithium polymer battery that is rated for 15000mAh, 22.5 watts. It provides two output ports (USB-A and USB-C) plus wireless inductive charging for smart devices and watches. Most importantly, on a single charge, it runs over 1000 NIBP readings for the SimCube NIBP Simulator,
powering the SimCube even while being recharged. It weighs only 13.5 oz. (380 g.) and is just 3.4” x 3.4” X 1.2” with a LED Battery Status Display and a type A input plug. This will provide more versatility and extended battery performance for the test equipment and your smart devices.
AZIZI: Test equipment devices are designed to detect invisible problems. These devices help make medical devices ready-safe for patient use.
CAMPBELL: When it comes to biomedical testing equipment, understanding its purpose, functionality, and significance is crucial for technicians, health care providers, and patients alike. Many times, having the right device not only makes the life of the biomedical technician easier but can reduce overall costs with improved workflow, reduction of service agreements and standardized testing. Lastly, if we as technicians can do something to make overall patient care safer and assist health care providers deliver better patient care, we should.
HOLMES: This is an ideal time to upgrade your X-ray test equipment. Many HTM professionals are still relying on meters based on outdated 2012 technology. Moving to a modern solution, such as RTI’s Mako, will streamline workflows, improve accuracy, and keep your systems aligned with current standards. RTI’s trade-in program offers a cost-effective way to transition to these advanced tools. Plus, with Ocean Next software, you can save time and money through automated data collection and reporting, eliminating the errors that often occur when manually entering measurements in Excel.
JACK: New innovations in X-ray imaging provide ever improving imaging capabilities while simultaneously maintaining or even reducing the effective radiation dose. Radcal, a premier provider of diagnostic radiation test instruments, recognizes the need to make your QA and maintenance measurement data more accessible for analysis, reporting and archiving in order to keep up with ever-changing measurement needs.
SANGER: IMT.Analytics Inc. has a complete line of gas flow and pressure, analyzers and meters, and test lungs to support the needs of biomeds throughout the hospital. We continue to innovate and develop new features and capabilities that adapt and grow our devices to meet the changing needs of our customers. The purchase of one of our devices is an investment in your test equipment now and well into the future.
WELBY: If there are any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to pick up the phone and call. We are here to support and help in any manner we can. There is a plethora of “how to’s” on bcgroupstore.com and YouTube that may be of assistance.
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BIOMED WISHLIST
BY K. RICHARD DOUGLAS
h ose who require tools to do their job understand the accuracy of the old saying about the right tool for the job? There is almost always a tool designed and intended for a specific use. There is almost always a time when someone who depends on tools doesn’t have a tool handy that they need in that moment.
If we need to drive a nail into a board, do we use the handle of a screwdriver? Maybe the head of a pipe wrench would work better. The wrench might do the job, yet the head of a hammer works best.
Anybody who has worked extensively with hand tools or measuring instruments knows that there are times when a person runs into a space that is too tight to fit a particular tool or they need a coping saw when they only own a handsaw, or they need a multimeter when all they own is a voltmeter.
As these challenges increase, so does the extent of a person’s tool collection. Many people today have found that there are multi-use tools that fit their needs even better. The bottom line is that there are many projects or repairs that cannot be accomplished without the proper tool.
It’s interesting that the original meaning of the phrase; “the right tool for the job,” was meant to explain how to deal with problems, and tools were just an analogy. Today, just as many people in programming use the phrase with a much different meaning.
For those who work with tools of every stripe, from electronic devices to power tools to hand tools; there is only one meaning.
Most hand tools have reflected the same design and use for decades. A crescent wrench, a screwdriver, a box wrench or a claw hammer have all retained the same fundamental design. Some innovations, like ratcheting wrenches have become popular and screwdrivers and hex sets with driving recesses for Torx and square head have increased in use.
There are now some tools that have associated apps that can monitor usage and maintenance requirements. Even the once-mechanical torque wrench has been digitized and can provide feedback on torque levels, avoiding over-tightening through an audible tone and readout on an LCD display.
Among powered hand tools, one major innovation in recent years has been the ability to cut the cord. Rechargeable battery-powered hand tools have caught on like wildfire, meaning that a construction worker at a job site doesn’t have to worry about a cord when they are cutting lumber with a skill saw. An auto mechanic doesn’t have to be tethered down with a cord when they are using a power ratchet or screwdriver.
Another innovation in many tools is to design the tool using ergonomic considerations to reduce injuries caused by repetitive use. Some tools also incorporate composite
materials to reduce weight.
Of course, one of the most useful tools that has come along in recent years is the smartphone camera. This may be the only tool that was never designed to supplement the tools in a tool box.
WISH-LIST TOOLS
Biomeds require a spectrum of tools to do their jobs. Biomeds interviewed for this story stated that they like the convenience of multi-tools, portability and convenience.
Even the most experienced biomeds still have tools they would like to add to their collections. Those wish-list tools are varied and utilitarian.
“I think the top of my list would be for a clinical engineering cart; it would be nice to be able to take all of the tools that you possibly could need with any or all of the test equipment that you would like. I think this would save many trips, going back to the shop and then to the equipment if it was not able to be moved easily,” says Earl Morris Jr., BMET, at Harrison County Hospital in Corydon, Indiana.
He says that the second thing he would like to have would be an electrical safety analyzer as there’s always the need to check equipment for line leakage, high voltage, ground continuity test and insulation test.
“This would be great for ensuring the safety of patient and staff,” Morris says.
Francesca Fam, CBET, a biomedical equipment technician at Stanford Health Care-Tri-Valley in Pleasanton, California, says that she has three items on her wish list. Her choices also reflect portability and versatility.
“[The] ICON Locking Flex Head Ratchet and Bit Set; 35-Piece. It fits right in your back pocket. This set is very useful because it is small, lightweight, and extremely portable. It also has all the necessary bits for handling most service calls I receive without the need to lug
around a giant tool bag,” Fam says.
She says that another pick would be the Knipex plier wrench because it comes in an assortment of sizes.
“I’ve been looking into multi-tools lately and consolidating. Not only is it handy at work, it’s useful for home projects as well,” Fam says.
Rounding out Fam’s choices is the Leatherman Multi-Tool MFR Model #832959, again reflecting the interest in multi-tools.
“This is a gas wrench that doubles as scissors,” she says.
A scope meter with X-ray Mas measurement tools is first on the list for Engineer Naveed Ahmed Khan, P.E., MBA.LSSBB. M.ACCE, assistant maintenance manager at Saudi German Hospital-Riyadh in Saudi Arabia.
Khan’s other two wish-list items are a “digital laser meter to test medical lasers and a dose meter for testing X-ray KV to determine X-ray function,” he says. “Mini electric screwdrivers with multiple bit sizes for working inside the equipment on the boards,” says Donald Sims, BMET II in the healthcare technology management department at Baylor Scott & White in Texas.
Sim’s colleague, Damion Granado, BMET I, expands upon the universe of tools, and says: “A reliable RTLS system to help locate equipment for annual maintenance.”
Another Baylor colleague, Reginald Colemen, says “test equipment that integrates with our CMMS so we don’t have to manually enter results.”
Swandol says he would like a “Hidock H1E GPT-4o Powered Audio Dock with lifetime free AI transcript for creating minutes from board meetings and leadership meetings.”
THE TOOLS THAT WORK
For biomeds who have been turning a wrench for years, the tools that are favorites would also make good additions to the collections of recent biomed graduates or someone just starting their HTM career.
For that reason, some veteran biomeds share their favorites for the benefit of those just coming on board in the field. No need to engage in guesswork when the voices of experience can offer some sage advice.
“Icon Locking Flex Head Ratchet and Bit Set, Leatherman Charge Plus, Leatherman Raptor Response, Snap On Micro Magnetic Mat, Philips - Xperion 6000 Penlight,” were just a few of the suggestions from Derek Guingon, BMET, at Stanford Medicine in Pleasanton, California.
Guingon also suggested Knipex-Mini pliers and pliers wrench set, Triplett-Receptacle Tester, the Milwaukee 1/4 in drive SAE and Metric socket sets, the Milwaukee Drive Guide Set and the Piscifun tackle bag.
“These tools are my top choices. Having worked in various departments at two Stanford Hospitals, including operating rooms, the main hospital, and clinics, I have noticed that some of my colleagues carry tool bags weighing around 50 pounds. Despite also having a 50-pound tool bag, I found it necessary to assemble the best, versatile, on-the-go, first-call tool kit. My Icon set is meticulously chosen and is my ultimate go-to tool because it includes various common bit sizes, seven security bits, a reversible ratchet with a locking flex head, and a thumb wheel,” Guingon says. He says that the Snap-on magnetic mat attaches securely to his Icon tool set, keeping all the screws easily accessible.
“The Milwaukee drive guides can function as extensions for various bits or as a cheater bar extension on my Icon set. Carrying different types of Leatherman multitools allows me to have a diverse range of tools at hand. The Philips penlight is equipped with LED and COB lights and features two different magnetic mounts, while my Knipex pliers wrench stands out as the
smallest, slimmest, and most robust wrench I’ve ever owned,” Guingon says.
He says that this collection of tools is designed for mobility.
“Additionally, my Triplett tool is essential for ensuring that the outlet being tested has power for the device,” Guingon adds.
He points out that while tools have traditionally needed to be heavy for strength, he has noted recently that companies are using different materials to make tools more durable and lighter.
Morton Campbell, an imaging specialist in the clinical engineering department at Erlanger Health appreciates the portability tool sets offer.
“Best tool is the Wiha 32-piece drive-loc VI-wallet set, comes with almost everything you will need; cut down my toolbox in half and nice to just throw in a backpack for easy first looks,” Campbell says.
Uriel Vargas Jr., BSEE, A+ certified, healthcare technology regional manager at Baylor Scott & White Health in Texas has a list he describes as a “must-have for every HTM biomed tech; regardless the level.”
He suggests the WERA Multi-Bit Screwdriver: 33 Tips, 5 in overall Lg, quick change, ergonomic grip, single end.
“This can walk with you everywhere and it is and has been the most useful set,” Vargas says.
He says that for both big and small jobs, his go-to power drill is the Milwaukee ¼ inch drive, 0 in-lb to 325 in-lb, 1,700 RPM free speed, brushless motor, 12V screwdriver kit.
Vargas also suggests the FLUKE Digital Multimeter: CAT III 1000V/CAT IV 600V, TRMS, 1,000 V Max AC Volt Measurement.
“Your trusty Fluke DMM always comes in handy,” he says.
Again, a suggestion coming from the voice of experience, Vargas suggests the POWER FIRST cable tie kit: 650 Pieces, nylon 6/6, plastic pawl locking.
“You always need zip ties, and if they tell you otherwise, they are lying,” Vargas says.
Vargas still has a few suggestions beyond the need for zip ties. He also suggests the ESD Precision Nippers: 4 7/8 in overall as a good flush cutter.
Carrying a handy light around your head can be very useful. Vargas likes the Milwaukee headlamp with 4500 Im max brightness and a 25-hour max run time.
“Sometimes you need both your hands, and more light, so this is my go-to,” Vargas says.
To remove stickers, he likes the Scotty Peeler label and sticker remover SP-2.
Eye protection is always important when working with any type of tool, especially power tools.
Vargas likes the Milwaukee anti-fog, anti-scratch, wraparound frame safety glasses.
Staying with the Milwaukee brand, he also likes to use the 48-22-8315 15” PACKOUT Tote.
“My bag to carry everything,” Vargas says.
When it comes to more specialized tools for the biomed, Vargas likes the Pronk Technologies BMET Pack Pro.
“And to finish, the complete set the BMET Pack Pro can do all that you need for testing verification,” he says.
“Top used are probably electrical safety analyzer and vital signs simulators for everyday stuff. For repairs, the most helpful is a DMM for troubleshooting. For ultrasound, top for PM and troubleshooting artifacts would be a phantom,” says Bradley Erbe, BMET II at Baylor Scott & White in Texas.
Erbe’s colleague Sims says that useful tools are mini electric screwdrivers with multiple bit sizes for working inside the equipment on the boards.
Sims agrees with Vargas that Scotty peelers are the best tool for removing stickers.
“Cannot go anywhere without it to remove those stubborn stickers,” he says.
Sims likes Milwaukee drills and drivers and says that you can never have too many batteries and battery chargers for the Milwaukee tools.
Granado says that a useful tool is a Fluke multi-channel IV pump analyzer.
“With 2,500 IV pumps due every year, the multi-channel analyzer is a must have; two to four of them preferably,” he says.
The evolution in tools has made many lighter weight, more portable and often capable of multiple uses. As technology advances, the efficiency, accuracy and versatility of many electronic devices will increase. Sets of hand tools will continue to shrink and allow for carrying a greater variety of tools.
Tenacore Vending Solution
Introducing the Tenacore Vending Solution – a convenient and innovative product for health care facilities. This state-of-the-art inventory solution is specifically designed to store and dispense patient cables and other high-use products. With its user-friendly interface, clinicians and administrators can quickly access a wide variety of products, ensuring they always have the right equipment on-hand. The machine’s design allows it to fit seamlessly into any environment, while its secure storage system ensures products are kept in stock and organized. Experience the next generation of supply chain management with the Tenacore Vending Solution.
2024
BIOMED WISHLIST
In the fast-evolving landscape, health care technology management (HTM) professionals play a crucial role in ensuring that medical devices function optimally. As they navigate the complexities of equipment maintenance and management, having the right tools at their disposal can significantly enhance their efficiency, accuracy and effectiveness.
The modern health care environment demands precision and reliability, making it imperative for biomedical engineers and technicians to stay equipped with state-of-the-art tools. From diagnostic devices and parts to software and repair kits, the right “tools” streamline workflows and enhance patient safety.
The 2024 Biomed Wishlist highlights the tools and devices HTM professionals need to best meet their responsibilities.
Pronk Technologies Pressure Inflator
Game-changing gear for your toolkit. The Pronk Inflator is a pressure calibrator hand pump that generates both positive and negative pressures, significantly reducing the time to set pressure test points. Designed for accuracy, it features a lock/unlock mechanism for the plunger that facilitates not only coarse but also fine pressure adjustments with high precision. Rated for up to 50 PSI, it is the ideal accessory for the Pressure MAX Pressure Meter, SimCube NIBP Simulator, and FlowTrax IV Pump Analyzer.
Accruent TMS
Accruent’s TMS is a purpose-built health care CMMS trusted by over 600 health care organizations. A major player in the health care and biomed facility management market since 1995, it has recently been reimagined (again) into a cloud-centric, mobile friendly application with a strong focus on algorithmic work order prioritization, cybersecurity and data integrity. Accruent has surprised longtime customers with its asset management features and a new user interface that’s been winning strong praise for its ease of use and overall aesthetic. The recent upgrades also strengthened the product’s existing functionality around compliance and
preventive maintenance — including location independent access and on-the-spot data capture and documentation. Users now use their mobile devices to scan barcodes and take photos to document changes to the facility’s equipment roster, making maintenance, warranty management and regulatory compliance easier than ever. Overall, the “New TMS” has been getting high marks from longtime customers and new ones for its user focus, and making it possible for health care facility and clinical engineering teams to streamline their workflows and workloads using devices they already own, and matching the realities of how they work today.
BC Group
IPA-3100
The IPA-3100 is the most compact, feature dense single channel analyzer on the market. It is a high-accuracy, easy-to-use system that incorporates full touch screen control with an intuitive interface. The 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. The IPA-3100 has configurable test parameters which allows for specific test routines specified by various manufacturers. Tests can be stored manually or automatically with up to 250 different records. These test records can be downloaded to a computer to then create reports that can be printed. The IPA-3100 has Bluetooth capability built-in. With the use of myBC Mobile or BC Flow, multiple test configurations can be stored for quick testing. Records of each test can be created and then saved for later viewing and analysis. Reports can also
BC Group IPA-3400
The IPA-3400 is the most compact, full featured four channel analyzer on the market. It is a high accuracy, easy-to-use system that incorporates full touch screen control of all processes. 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. This provides a more realistic flow path for the infusion device under test and therefore more accurate readings. Also, independent stepper motor control of the custom designed ceramic valving allows the system to run not only more quietly and more smoothly, but it also allows for a bidirectional powered fluid flow for use in the built-in cleaning cycle. The IPA-3400 has built-in auto-sequence capabilities that allows the user to perform automatic test procedures. This allows specific test routines specified by various manufacturers to be run, which provides a significant time savings as well as reduces the risk of human error. Advanced features in the auto-sequences allow the inclusion of pictures to aid with the setup and configuration of each step. The IPA-3400 allows for
be generated from test records for in-depth analysis and/or traceability. Features inclue:
• Bluetooth Built-In
• Bubbles Do Not Interfere with Testing
• 4.3” Color Touch Screen
• Automatic Start
• Smooth Dual Syringe System
• Micro USB Port
• Industrial Grade Pressure Sensor
• Whisper Quiet Operation
easy field expansion. You can buy a 1 channel unit and later purchase additional modules that can be added in the field. Just plug them in and the system will automatically recognize the additional module(s), reconfigure itself and you are ready to go. Features include:
• Bubbles Do Not Interfere with Testing
• Large 7” Color Touch Screen
• Built-In Data Collection
• User-Swappable Flow Modules
• 4 USB Ports & 4 Aux Ports
• Adjustable Back Pressure
• Continuous Fluid Flow Monitoring
FSI Capital Planning
Simplify budgeting season with FSI’s Capital Planning tool. As the CMMS/ EAM purpose-built for health care professionals, FSI’s tools are optimized to include the features needed most, including when it comes to financial planning. CMS Capital Planning ensures each department has all of the information it needs to keep an eye on priority metrics and build an effective, data-backed budget plan without getting lost in messy spreadsheets. With intuitive visual overviews of department budget information, CMS Capital Planning puts key data in one spot to centralize budgeting processes. Easily monitor where spend is going to ensure departments are on track with financial goals, analyze trends in data to identify priority areas in asset replacement or preventive maintenance, and create financial plans based
on real needs directly within Capital Planning. Empowering departments with greater visibility and control in budgeting cycles allows more effective, long-term planning to support widespread facility operations. From diving into asset data to pulling equipment maintenance history, checking which assets are nearing end of life dates, to displaying and exporting trends in historical spend to support a budget request to decision makers, FSI’s Capital Planning tool keeps teams in the loop on essential financial data.
Healthmark Shaver Leak Tester
Designed for pressure testing arthroscopic shavers to help identify leaks caused by failing seals that degrade over time from repeated use and processing, the Shaver Leak Tester assists health care workers in reprocessing areas to make sure their shaver is working properly by using both a hand pump to apply pressure and a testing stop made from polypropylene to create a temporarily closed system within the fluid pathway of the shaver to pressure test for leaks. Utilizing positive pressure allows the user to confirm if the internal seals are fully intact or if the shaver needs to be sent out for repair. The Shaver Leak Tester helps in reducing the potential for cross-contamination, damage and costly repairs that result from using a shaver with leaks. Simply, select the appropriate brand specific testing stop and insert the stop into the distal end of the shaver’s handpiece until it is fully seated. Then, connect the open end of the silicone tubing attached to the pressure gauge, to the stainless-steel discharge port located at the proximal end of the handpiece. Next, use the bulb of the hand pump to apply pressure and observe that the pressure gauge is displaying and maintaining a positive value. Confirmation of positive static pressure on the pressure gauge indicates no leaks in the fluid pathway and is considered a passing result. The brand-specific Shaver Leak Tester stops are not interchangeable and offered for the following shavers: the Midas Rex shaver, the Stryker Formula shaver, the Stryker Small Joint shaver, the Dyonics shaver, the Conmed Linvatec shaver, and the Arthrex shaver.
Midmark CareFlow
RTLS
Safe, timely and effective care can be jeopardized when the equipment that makes it possible is everywhere … and yet nowhere at the same time. Most hospitals believe they have enough equipment, yet biomedical and nursing teams spend thousands of hours per year searching for equipment they know they should have … but is nowhere to be found. Non-value-added time, preventive maintenance schedules and staff satisfaction are just the beginnings of operational setbacks. With both in-room and near-room accuracy options, CareFlow RTLS can be designed to benefit both biomedical
and nursing teams. Midmark CareFlow Asset Tracking not only helps free biomedical teams from endless rounding to find equipment, it also informs nursing to equipment location with a system that is easy and intuitive for nurses to use. Partnering with Midmark RTLS, you don’t just get the right technology, you get the commitment, the people, and the expertise to ensure seamless integration and adoption. CareFlow RTLS helps guide operations, aligning people to process, while regionally certified local partners help optimize your investment through launch and beyond.
PartsSource
PartsSource PRO
PartsSource PRO is the only comprehensive, clinical management platform built for the specialized workflow and procurement needs of clinical engineering and supply chain teams. Designed to empower health systems, PartsSource PRO’s evidence-based, decision support and workflow software helps unlock value and capacity across your entire organization, maximizing uptime and providing a modernized approach to sourcing, asset management and equipment repair, all while reducing risk and costs. With PRO’s innovative technology, health care organizations can consolidate day-to-day operations into a single, user-friendly dashboard, providing enhanced control and oversight. Imagine being able to manage all orders with data insights to see what you spend and where, consolidate suppliers, optimize contracts, improve purchasing policies and decrease off-contract spending. It is all possible with PartsSource PRO. The platform ensures that critical equipment and services are available when needed, helping to reduce downtime and improve the overall efficiency of health care operations, while giving health care providers the ability to stay focused on delivering high-quality patient care. Discover why over 1,600 health systems across the country rely on PartsSource PRO to leverage their community buying power and maximize time and cost savings.
Pronk Technologies Power Bank
The Pronk Power Bank will, on a single charge, provide the capacity to run over 1000 NIBP readings on the SimCube NIBP Simulator. It features an LED battery status display, two output ports (USB-A and USB-C), and wireless inductive charging for smart devices and watches. It is the ideal battery power source for Pronk test equipment and smart devices. Rated for 15000mAh, 22.5W, it has an internal lithium polymer battery, weighs only 13.5 oz., and is palm-sized (3.4” x 3.4” X 1.2”).
Southeastern Biomedical Associates Inc.
Biomedical Tool Kit
Designed with the precision and reliability needed for biomedical technicians, the Biomedical Tool Kit is the ultimate companion for maintaining and repairing medical equipment. This comprehensive set includes high-quality hand tools specifically chosen for their effectiveness in the biomedical field. Whether you’re working in a hospital, lab, or field environment, this toolkit ensures you have the right tools at your fingertips. Key features include:
• Specialized Tools: Includes a selection of high-quality, precision-engineered tools tailored for the unique needs of biomedical maintenance and repair.
• Durable Construction: Crafted to withstand rigorous use and provide reliable performance.
• Choice of Case: Available in a sturdy hard case for maximum protection or a flexible soft case for ease of transport and accessibility.
• Organized Layout: Tools are organized in a way that allows for quick identification and efficient use. Whether upgrading a current toolkit or starting fresh, the Biomedical Tool Kit is designed to meet the high standards of professional biomedical technicians.
Summit Imaging Ultrasound Probes –Repairs and Replacements
With a certified ISO 13485 QMS, Summit Imaging offers ultrasound probe repair and maintenance, customized to the type of customer. This includes options like full transducer repair coverage for hospital networks, on-site care and maintenance training to prevent unnecessary damage, and forensic reporting and analysis of incoming transducer damages. When conducting a total cost of ownership analysis comparing an OEM service contract to a transducer repair model like Summit Imaging, health care facilities will likely find a significant savings of 30% to 95% when utilizing the repair model. As the leading ISP of
Tri-Imaging Solutions
CT
Service Packages
Tri-Imaging Solutions understands the critical role a GE Optima 660 CT scanner plays in delivering accurate diagnostic imaging and patient care. With its comprehensive service packages, expert training, quality parts, and tailored savings plans, Tri-Imaging Solutions ensures the system operates efficiently and cost-effectively. Tri-Imaging Solutions offers:
• Expertise and Reliability: With years of experience in the medical imaging field, Tri-Imaging Solutions is a trusted partner. Its certified engineers are specially trained on GE systems.
• Comprehensive Service Options: Service plans are designed to fit the unique needs of each facility. From full-service contracts to preventative maintenance, Tri-Imaging Solutions offers flexibility and peace of mind.
• Industry-Leading Training: Tri-Imaging offers hands-on, in-depth training programs tailored specifically for the GE Optima 660. The training ensures that your team
ultrasound parts repair, Summit Imaging sets itself apart with dedication to fast, higher-quality service ensuring the proper systems are in place to protect patients’ safety.
knows how to operate the system to its full potential, improving diagnostic accuracy while reducing the likelihood of technical errors. Tri-Imaging Solutions empowers your staff to become experts in their field.
• Genuine Parts and Components: Tri-Imaging Solutions stocks a vast inventory of OEM and high-quality third-party parts for the GE Optima 660. A quick turnaround on parts delivery helps minimize downtime and ensures the scanner continues to function at peak efficiency.
• Cost-Effective Savings Plans: Tri-Imaging Solutions’ savings plans are designed to keep your budget in check without sacrificing service quality. From discounted parts to flexible payment options on service contracts, Tri-Imaging Solutions makes it easy to manage costs over the life of your equipment. With Tri-Imaging Solutions, facilities get premium service at a competitive price, ensuring facilities get a long life out of a Optima 660.
EQ2 HEMS – is focused entirely on healthcare maintenance management
Management and Technicians achieve more in less time
Integrate with all of your existing systems
Compliance and AEM made easier with the right tools and reports
Our system helps you keep your devices protected
Data and information that shows leadership how your department saves the hospital money
All webinars, podcast, and product demos are eligible for 1 CE credit from the ACI.
ON-DEMAND:
IDA-6 Infusion Device Analyzer Tools of the Trade demo
World’s Largest RTLS Deployment: HCA’s 75% reduction in rental fleet
HHS’ Top 3 Cyber Attack Vectors: HTM’s New Compliance Challenge
Patient Sim Testing
How Leaders Can Combat Biomed Burnout
LIVE:
NOV. 6 | FSI Tools of the Trade TUNE IN TO ANY
NOV. 13 | Accruent
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NOV. 20 | Cognosos
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PODCASTS:
sponsored by MMS Zen and The Art of Medical Equipment Maintenance
sponsored by Girls on Fire Episode 14: The Gift of Gab with John Krieg
CAREER NOW
Should You Inform Your Full-Time Boss
About Your Part-Time Side Hustle?
BY VICKI SALEMI
If you’re exploring a side hustle to boost your income, you may be deciding what to pursue, how to market your skills, what hours you have available and more, but a pesky question also arises whether or not you should tell your boss you’re looking for that part-time job mainly because the pay at your full-time job is inadequate.
Let’s explore the big picture topic first: Start looking for a new full-time job! If your full-time job salary is insufficient, start looking for a new, better one to replace it – one that pays you what you’re worth in the market.
There may be reasons you’re staying at your current full-time job such as amazing benefits, flexibility, a great boss and more (or maybe you hit a plateau and you’re in a comfort zone), but I would immediately conduct two job searches simultaneously: the full-time one and a part-time one for more immediate cash flow.
Especially with the holidays right around the corner, companies are already hiring for seasonal work. These seasonal roles may extend beyond the holidays once they’ve come and gone, so consider it as a potential way to have recurring income throughout the year or at least bolster your skill set to pursue and potentially land other similar roles as well.
That said, if you are looking for a new side hustle to boost your pay, you’re not alone. According to a recent Bankrate survey, more than one in three Americans has a side hustle and 32% of respondents think they’ll always need them to pay for basic needs like rent and groceries. Per the data, the average side hustler makes, on average, an additional $891 each month. In addition to the primary goal of cash flow, a side gig can help you gain new skills or polish current ones, open the door for potential new career paths, make new contacts for networking and more. Back to the part-time job question that often comes up. “First, make sure your contract with your company allows you to take on a part-time job. Some companies specifically restrict this,” said Terri Wein, co-CEO of Weil & Wein, a global career advisory firm that provides one-on-one
executive and career coaching.
Some companies may have specific guidelines – when I worked in recruiting at a Big 4 accounting firm, they indicated you couldn’t have a side hustle as an accountant because it directly overlapped with your full-time role; but you could, however, do something completely different like become a wedding DJ.
As for whether or not to tell your boss, if the reasoning behind the question is that you’re not being paid enough, you can communicate that in other effective ways such as gathering external information through professional organizations, online salary guides, your former boss/ mentor and former colleagues to see what the going rate is for someone with your skill set and experiences to show that you’re being underpaid. Know your worth and then ask your boss for a raise.
If you’re leaning toward disclosing the part-time gig to your full-time employer anyway, Rich Deosingh, a district president with Robert Half, recommended using discretion at work when it comes to both your boss and your colleagues. “If taking on another professional commitment doesn’t create a conflict of interest at your primary job, or cause scheduling issues, it’s not necessary to reveal this information to your boss or anyone else you work with.”
Wein said that telling your boss about the part-time gig can be a double-edged sword. “On the one hand, you may be asking for permission when permission is not needed and giving your boss the ability to say no.”
Plus, your manager may be concerned your new job may distract you from your full-time one.
“On the other hand,” Wein added, “you may be giving your boss an excuse to continue paying you a low salary. He or she may think it’s fine with you since you are ‘happily’ supplementing it with a second gig.
Vicki Salemi is a career expert for Monster, an author, a speaker and consultant, TV commentator and former corporate recruiter. For more information, visit vickisalemi.com.
20/20 IMAGING INSIGHTS
Inside Outlooks
BY TED LUCIDI, CBET
We ’re going to continue in our series focusing on the key components within an ultrasound probe. We began with the acoustic lens and moved to the acoustic array. This month, we’ll examine the scan head electronics.
The scan head electronics may be some of the most overlooked components within an ultrasound probe. After all they are rarely seen unless the probe has sustained some significant physical damage. As demands for enhanced image quality, 3D volumetric imaging, and improved ergonomics have increased, so has the complexity of the scan head electronics. Failures to this component are not as common as array damage or cable damage, yet they occur.
In legacy probe models, and even some of today’s more-simple designs, the scanhead electronics were merely a bridge between the acoustic array and the wiring harness. Today’s more complex designs employ some very advanced electronics such as multiplexers. One reason is that some probe designs utilize more acoustic elements in the array than there are wires in the cable harness or transmit/receive channels in the system. Other more-complex designs e0xist in probes used on Butterfly systems and other handheld or wireless systems. In these designs, the entire ultrasound hardware may be housed within the probe itself.
layer of complexity. Not only is the top-half of the probe filled with oil, but there’s also a motor and associated electro-mechanics contained within the handle. If, or when, the oil bladder or transducer dome leaks or perforates, oil exposure can add another level of complexity to your probe failure.
With live 3D volumetric probes, such as the Philips X5-1c and X8-2t, and the GE 4Vc-D and 6VT-D, much of the beamforming, traditionally performed in the scanner console’s front-end, is performed by the scan head electronics. In these, highly advanced designs, the acoustic array is bonded to and controlled by an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). An array with up to 9,000 acoustic elements is being driven by a cable having less than 200 micro-coaxial wires and even less transmit/receive channels in the scanner (typically 64-128).
COMMON FAILURES
We can say, with confidence, that most of the damage and failures to the scan head electronics have been a result of contamination, oxidation, and corrosion to the electronic components and physical connections to the PCBs. We’re often asked, “How does this occur?” In many cases, the seams joining the two halves of the probe housings have degraded and are no longer fluid proof. In other scenarios, the seal surrounding the acoustic lens has degraded and enables scan gel, chemical disinfectants, and other contaminants to gain access to the sensitive electronics. Once a seal is compromised, every subsequent use, cleaning, and disinfection can result in contaminants entering the probe.
Mechanical 3D volumetric probes add an additional
In the past, most general-use, or standard, ultrasound probes were merely cleaned between each use. Excess
gel was removed and, maybe, the probe was wiped with a soft washcloth moistened with a mild cleaner. More recently, standard probes are being not only cleaned with harsh intermediate-level disinfectants, but some sites high-level disinfect ALL probes via a heated and vaporized hydrogen peroxide system (Trophon, Ethos, etc.). Traditionally, only endo-cavity and TEE probes were high-level disinfected.
The materials used in today’s high-tech ultrasound probes have been enhanced to allow for increased exposure to harsher chemicals. The challenge is, although a specific chemical may be approved for use on a specific probe model, compatibility does not address the long-term effects of exposure or over-exposure. Approval typically only attests to the chemical NOT inducing more acute or short-term effects. An interesting note … multiple OEMs have recently added statements to their manuals instructing users to rinse probes of residual chemicals following disinfection. In our experience, this is not standard practice and could be considered a contributor to premature wear and subsequent probe failures.
COMMON SYMPTOMS
Failures to the scan head electronics can result in a wide range of failures. Sonographers may report problems such as no image whatsoever, double images, missing information in the image, noise artifacts, lightning bolts in the image, and Doppler artifacts. With more advanced probe designs, such as the Philips X5-1c, X8-2t, or GE 6VT-D, error codes may be displayed on the scanner console.
Most times, damage to the scan head electronics is addressable through repair though challenges may exist within today’s most-advanced 3D probes. The image below shows the microscopic wire connections to the
array within the Philips X8-2t. A healthy array is on the left. An array which has had multiple connections vaporized via short circuits due to fluid invasion is on the right. Note the tip of a ballpoint pen in-between for scale.
HOW TO PREVENT
The cost of addressing a worn/degraded seam or seal may be several hundred dollars versus thousands to address a performance problem. As such, the most-effective means for preventing costly failures is through routine visual inspections. We’ve created a visual inspection guide designed to be shared with staff members and even posted in each scan room and sterilization department.
We suggest partnering with your sonographers. Ask for 15-minutes within one of their department meetings. Discuss the importance of frequent, thorough, visual inspections. Share the visual inspection guide. Present the opportunity of a single person visually inspecting EACH probe EVERY week. Each week, a different staff member would perform the inspections. If there would be any item of concern, the HTM team would be notified, and the probe would be sent out for a cost-effective repair.
For more information on this topic, or to request our visual inspection guide, reach out to training@innovatusimaging.com
Ted Lucidi, CBET, is the director of commercial operations and business analytics at Innovatus Imaging.
As we consider what we are grateful for during this special time of the year, I want to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude to each one of our valued customers. As MMS celebrates 28 incredible years, we are reminded that none of this would have been possible without your unwavering support, trust,
Over the years, you have been more than just customers- you have been the driving force behind our growth and success, and many of you have become lifelong friends. For that, we are profoundly thankful! Looking ahead, we are excited to continue serving you with the same dedication and innovation that has defined us for over two decades.
Together we have built something that is truly special, and I am confident the best is yet to come. From myself, and all the amazing MMSTeam members across the nation, here’s to many more years of partnership and shared success!
Thank you & Happy Thanksgiving! - Daren Kneeland & the MMSTeam
RIGHT TO REPAIR
Manufacturer Trade Groups Line Up Against the Military
Associations representing manufacturers of everything from toasters to tractors, including medical devices, oppose rules requiring the military buy fixable equipment
BY NATHAN PROCTOR
Five years ago, The New York Times published a column, which was somewhat of a landmark in our work to support Americans’ Right to Repair:
“Here’s One Reason the U.S. Military Can’t Fix Its Own Equipment,” written by then-Marine Captain Elle Ekman.
Captain Ekman, a logistics officer, described how restrictions regarding who repairs equipment, imposed by the manufacturers, undermined the operations of American military personnel. For example, they had to box and ship engines back to the U.S. or were unable to service generators because of various contractual restrictions.
Issues around the military’s Right to Repair have continued to crop up over the past five years. During Congressional hearings this spring, Sen. Elizabeth Warren asked the Secretary of the Navy, Carlos Del Toro, “Would having a stronger focus on Right to Repair issues during the acquisition process … help the Navy cut costs and boost readiness at the same time?”
His response? “Very much so.”
One of the relatively few pieces of legislation Congress will pass this session will be the National Defense Authorization Act, which funds U.S. defense spending and guides how that money is spent. Among the instructions being considered in this legislation in the Senate are new bipartisan rules, proposed by Sen. Warren, that would require the military to include reasonable access to repair materials – parts, tools and service instructions – as part of any purchase contract.
The proposal, found in Section 828 of the legislation, is fairly simple: “The head of an agency may not enter into a contract for the procurement of goods or services unless
the contractor agrees in writing to provide the Department of Defense fair and reasonable access to all the repair materials, including parts, tools, and information, used by the manufacturer or provider or their authorized partners to diagnose, maintain, or repair the good or service.” This would not prevent the manufacturer from reflecting these requirements in the cost of the contract.
One might expect weapons manufacturers would object. What I wasn’t expecting was for manufacturers of kitchen appliances, and tractors and medical equipment to weigh in against this section. But in late August, 404 Media published a letter signed by dozens of trade associations calling for lawmakers to reject Right to Repair requirements.
Given that the letter has signers listed alphabetically, AdvaMed is listed first.
Many of the biomeds that I have met in my advocacy around medical Right to Repair started as technicians in the Armed Services, and most, if not all, of these biomeds have stories about manufacturers refusing to assist urgent requests to assist them in repairing devices.
We all recognize that medical device repair must be done to the highest safety standards, because lives are on the line. But lives are on the line in other ways, too.
Lives are on the line in field hospitals in battle zones, where a timely repair could save the life of someone serving our country. And restrictions to repair materials can mean that the only people there to service equipment have to face manufacturer-imposed barriers to that work.
I think that’s wrong. There are things which are more important than a business model. If you agree, I hope you will contact your member of Congress and tell them to support the military’s Right to Repair.
Nathan Proctor is the senior director with the U.S. PIRG Campaign for the Right to Repair.
THE FUTURE
AAMI Foundation, Other Resources Can Benefit HTM
BY STEVEN J. YELTON, P.E., AAMIF
Ialways like to share my ideas about how AAMI can provide resources and help to benefit the HTM profession. I’m excited to be able to tell you about some changes that the AAMI Foundation has undergone. I’m hoping that this article will help HTM professionals see how they could take advantage of some of these benefits.
I wanted to write about this in my TechNation column to make sure that the HTM community realizes how the foundation can benefit us. The AAMI foundation submitted its inaugural issue of the “AAMI Foundation Newsletter.” To give everyone an indication of the direction of the Foundation, one will notice that the tagline of AAMI Foundation News is “Scholarships Research Honors.” When contributions are made to the foundation, the donor can specify where they would like their donations to go. In 2023 and 2024, 70% went to scholarships, 4% to grants and 26% to awards. All of these areas directly enhance HTM.
As an educator, I am very interested in the area of scholarships. I strongly encourage students to apply for scholarships since I know how much they can assist the student in continuing, if not completing, their education. It seems like every HTM column talks about the need for HTM professionals and, in particular, technicians. I would like to mention some of the information from that AAMI Foundation Newsletter that helps explain the scholarship program. I encourage all of you to reach out to any students or potential students that you may know and ask that they apply for an AAMI scholarship. This will help the individual and the HTM field.
The scholarship recipients this year ranged from a high school student to a Ph.D. candidate. Many of the scholarship recipients are interested in pursuing a medical
technology career. The most prestigious of these scholarships are generally awarded to high school and college students that demonstrate abundant technical aptitude. I have had the opportunity to meet and talk with many of the scholarship recipients in recent years. The trait that impressed me the most was that these students obviously spent a lot of time investigating their career path and plan to support and promote their field. In many cases, that field is HTM related. Many of the scholarship applicants and recipients are from the University of Connecticut Clinical Engineering program as well as many other AS, BS and graduate programs.
I would also like to give you an update on the HTM Education Standard that many of you have been helping us complete. We are making great progress on the standard and hope to have it completed this year. Just to refresh your memory, this standard was proposed and developed to help educators, technicians, students and employers determine a baseline of topics that should be in an HTM education program. This is considered an entry-level standard. Our hope is that once the standard is complete, the groups mentioned above can use the standard to evaluate their individual situation. A college program can evaluate its curriculum to see if there are any gaps, an employer can use it to address competency levels of technicians and students can use it to evaluate their own expertise. As I mentioned, be on the lookout for the standard soon.
Another topic that I would like to remind everyone of is the area of certification. Many graduates and employees ask me what they can do to further their credentials. They mention that they really don’t want to get advanced degrees but would like to show that they have advanced skills in a particular area. I am quick to mention to them the benefits to acquiring a certification. There are three particular certifications that HTM professionals currently in the field may find useful. The first is the CBET. This is
the Certified Biomedical Equipment Technician. Another is the CRES. This is the Certified Radiology Equipment Specialist. Finally, there is the CHTM. This is the Certified Healthcare Technology Manager. All of these certifications serve as a measure of your competence in your field. Some employers use the certification as a measure of awarding a promotion.
I hope that many, if not all, of you who are reading this column are saying: “Of course I know about all of these things that he mentioned.” If not, this is a resource for the few of you who have forgotten about these topics.
Steven J. Yelton, P.E., AAMIF; is a senior HTM engineer for a large health network in Cincinnati, Ohio and is a professor emeritus at Cincinnati State Technical and Community College where he teaches biomedical instrumentation (HTM) courses.
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THE IMPORTANCE OF QUALITY ASSURANCE IN REFURBISHED MEDICAL EQUIPMENT
BY CHARU CHANDE
In health care, medical equipment is essential to providing optimal patient care, from diagnostics to critical life-saving procedures. The performance and reliability of these devices is non-negotiable, as lives depend on them. Whether new or refurbished, medical equipment must function flawlessly, as intended by the original manufacturer. This highlights the crucial role that quality assurance plays, particularly in refurbished medical equipment, where attention to detail is essential.
A GAP IN REFURBISHMENT STANDARDS
Unlike new medical devices, where FDA regulations dictate performance standards, there are no formal guidelines governing the refurbishment process. This lack of regulation means that the quality of refurbished equipment can be significantly different between providers. It also places the responsibility on decision makers to do their research and make sure they’re purchasing from a reputable company. Creating a comprehensive refurbishment process that meets high standards is essential to make sure refurbished equipment is reliable and safe to use on patients. Without a standardized process, refurbishing companies may adopt different methods, some of which may not fully restore the equipment to its original condition. This variability introduces risks to patient safety and complicates clinical workflows. Health care providers should choose partners who adhere to comprehensive quality assurance protocols that make sure refurbished devices meet the same performance standards as new equipment.
WHY DOES QUALITY ASSURANCE MATTER?
The stakes are high when it comes to medical equipment performance. A failure in a clinical setting could have tragic, even fatal, consequences. Quality assurance isn’t just important – it’s essential. A comprehensive refurbishment process ensures that equipment performs as well as it did when it first left the manufacturer. This gives health care providers confidence that refurbished devices will deliver safe and effective patient care. Quality assurance in refurbished medical equipment goes beyond simply ensuring that the device powers on. It includes a thorough assessment of the equipment’s functionality, safety features and reliability. For example, ventilators and anesthesia machines are life-support systems in critical care environments. The refurbishment process should extend beyond powering the unit on and performing a ventilation check. This involves measuring the volume and pressure accuracy of gases, checking the gas mixture, ensuring that backup systems work in case of failure, and verifying that anesthetic gases are not exposed to health care staff.
Additionally, this process must inspect and identify parts that are on the verge of failure, which might not always be visible through standard OEM preventive maintenance procedures. The refurbishment should also restore the device’s original cosmetic appearance, avoiding contamination during the process, and undergo a re-check to ensure that performance parameters are retained. After this process, the system should easily pass the biomedical pre-check in an operating room. A comprehensive quality assurance process simulates real-world usage to ensure the equipment is patient ready.
THE ISO 13485:2016 CERTIFICATION
ISO 13485:2016 is an internationally recognized certification that demonstrates a medical equipment company’s commitment to stringent quality management standards. Achieving and maintaining this certification is a rigorous process that involves thorough audits and continuous improvement processes. While medical refurbishment companies aren’t required to get this certification, Soma Tech Intl consistently re-certifies, proving that its facility, products and production process meet the highest standards of safety and performance.
This certification not only reflects Soma Tech Intl’s dedication to quality assurance, but also provides health care providers confidence that its refurbished equipment is safe and reliable. By adhering to ISO 13485:2016, Soma ensures that its products are refurbished under the same standards as newly manufactured medical equipment.
SOMA TECH INTL’S COMPREHENSIVE REFURBISHMENT PROCESS
At Soma Tech Intl, the refurbishment process is designed to restore each unit to its original performance and safety standards. It starts with a technical refurbishing process where highly trained and certified biomedical engineers, many with OEM experience, disassemble the system and check each area, replacing components as per OEM recommendations. This includes individual circuit board testing and repair, resolution of any pending recalls and upgrading any necessary software. Engineers take a preventative approach to identify parts that might seem functional but are on the verge of failure. This is followed by replacement of necessary parts, assembly and calibration of the system.
An operational test of the system then follows, during which individual components are assessed. This includes testing the speakers, indicators, switches and other critical elements. Additionally, it checks whether the software routines are functioning as intended. Any detected failures are promptly corrected and retested to ensure proper operation.
A functional test is also conducted to assess various parameters and the overall operation of the system, followed by an electrical safety inspection. All readings are
thoroughly documented to ensure complete transparency throughout the process. These results are compiled into a detailed engineering testing report. The parameter testing and electrical safety inspection further validate that the device meets the manufacturer’s performance specifications, ensuring it is safe for use in patient care.
In addition to ensuring the equipment works flawlessly, Soma Tech Intl also restores its appearance. The cosmetic restoration process includes repairing or replacing broken panels, handles and pieces. The process also includes cleaning, sanding, painting and adding new decals to bring the device back to its original look. This not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of the equipment but also ensures its durability in a clinical setting.
Before any unit is labeled “patient ready,” it undergoes a final round of testing and inspection. This step includes re-testing the performance of the devices, verifying the accuracy of the engineering report, and checking the physical appearance one last time. Only then is the unit approved for shipment, complete with a warranty.
CONCLUSION
Quality assurance in refurbished medical equipment isn’t just a matter of compliance; it’s a commitment to patient safety and effective health care delivery. By choosing a refurbishing company that prioritizes quality, like Soma Tech Intl, health care providers can ensure that their equipment is both reliable and safe, capable of performing at the highest level when it matters most. In an industry where there are no formal regulations, a well-executed process stands as a testament to a company’s dedication to quality, providing health care providers with reliable, safe and effective equipment.
To discover more about Soma Tech Intl., please visit somatechnology.com.
Charu Chande is a group manager with Soma Tech Intl.
NETWORKING NOTES
The Importance of MDS2 & SBOM
BY MELISSA LYDER
The Manufacturer Disclosure Statement for Medical Device Security, or the MDS2, was originally created to address changes made to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, commonly known as HIPAA, in 2003. Its significance has altered since then as it takes the form of a primary resource for HTM professionals to make informed decisions about the security of their medical devices.
In 2003, HIPAA expanded to require the security of protected health information (PHI). This refers to the integrity, availability and confidentially of information such as patient names, addresses, Social Security numbers, and date of birth. As medical devices often contain PHI, the changes in HIPAA created a legal need to secure them.
Initially, this was done by hospitals reaching out to every manufacturer and requesting information. The information received would be specific to their device and its unique capabilities. However, there is a large amount of information needed to span all aspects of cybersecurity. This process of requesting this information from each manufacturer was tedious and inefficient. Thus, the Medical Device Security Workgroup was convened by HIMSS (Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society) in 2004. There were representatives from device manufacturers, regulatory agencies, health care providers and subject matter experts present. All parties gathered with the goal of forming a standard process for communication between users and manufacturers regarding the security of medical devices. They drafted the MDS2 which was released in 2004. The form was a comprehensive list of questions that detail the cybersecurity of a medical device. Manufacturers of the device will fill out the MDS2 and provide it to the health care facility upon request. It became a standardized way to communicate a large amount of data to different users and for hospitals to keep track of the security of their multiple devices.
Today’s MDS2 (ANSI/NEMA HN 1-2019 MDS2) was released in 2019. It was revised by National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) and Medical Imaging & Technology Alliance (MITA). MDS2 is split up into 23 sections covering a variety of security controls. There are 216 questions answered in total on the MDS2. MDS2 details how data is stored and transmitted. Whether this is wirelessly or through a variety of physical mechanisms, all methods of transmitting data are accounted for in the questions. While all 216 questions are important in ensuring the security of medical devices, some questions are more relevant to the purchasing of the device and some to the maintenance. For example: Do service technicians have accounts? What permissions do they have? Can they install software patches? Can they do so remotely? Do they have access to the hard drive? Questions of this nature list the risks regarding maintenance of the specific device.
Figure 1: An example of a section of an MDS2. This is just part of one of the 26 categories covered on the MDS2. These questions cover how PHI is protected on the device and points the user to specific vulnerabilities that may be present.
MDS2 has a section entitled Software Bill of Materials, often referred to as SBOM. The SBOM is a separate document that serves as another integral source for acquiring, installing, and maintaining cybersecurity of medical devices. The device’s SBOM lists all software components that are incorporated into the device. It is an inventory, listing all libraries and packages that are in the application and the specifics of their usage. This is particularly important for remaining aware of opensource or third-party code, which can develop vulnerabilities if not properly maintained. Third-party material may be out of the control of the vendor, making it difficult to secure.
The SBOM is a resource for reviewing the security of the software before purchasing. It also provides insight for maintaining its cybersecurity as vulnerabilities in the device’s components may arise at any time. The device’s SBOM serves as a one sheet, a quick reference for identifying and remediating a security risk.
It is important to note that the MDS2 and SBOM provide static information. This requires monitoring of network traffic to understand what is happening with the devices in real time. Both are vital resources in device cybersecurity. A common use of the documents is to track software versions. The MDS2 records exactly what versions the device is running. Often when security risks or software bugs are announced, they are identified by what operating
system the software runs on. This can be remediated by updating the software or patching the specific vulnerability. The reliable, simple way to ensure that all devices with that specific operating system are remediated, is to refer to the SBOM.
Overall having this information accessible allows the identification of vulnerabilities in advance before they become active threats. This ensures a high level of cybersecurity required for a reliable health care organization. An MDS2 is an essential resource for cybersecurity information directly from the device’s manufacturer. The SBOM details the exact components of a specific software, also serving as a primary documentation of the device. Both serve as a log of medical device cybersecurity information. Both MDS2 and SBOM allow anticipation of vulnerabilities. This provides the opportunity for resolution before they become active threats, and this is what makes MDS2 and SBOM so useful. As a best practice, HTM should be familiar with their devices’ MDS2 and SBOM and be ready to reference them in the event of a cybersecurity threat.
Melissa Lyder is a Clinical Engineering Graduate Intern at VA North Texas Health Care
CYBERSECURITY
Health Care’s Secret Weapon: Why VPNs are the Lifeline for Secure Medical Connections
BY NADIA ELKAISSI, CHTM
Picture this: One of the largest regional hospitals, known for its advanced imaging services, was hit by a cyberattack that left one of their newest critical medical devices – a networked MRI machine- compromised. The HTM team discovered that the connection between the device and the vendor was not secure, allowing the hacker to exploit a vulnerability in the system. Sensitive patient data was accessed, and the device was temporarily taken offline, causing a delay in care. The culprit? An unsecured connection between the medical device and the vendor’s network, one that could have been easily protected with a Virtual Private Network (VPN).
In today’s health care environment, more devices are becoming “smart” and networked, creating an interconnected web of medical technology that shares critical patient information. While this connectivity improves the health care provided, it also opens new vulnerabilities if security is not taken seriously. One of the most critical security tools to protect these devices and patient data is a VPN. Let’s break down why VPNs are so important, how terms like NAT and PAT fit into the picture, and why alternative methods of connecting to vendors – such as SSL or direct connections – may not be as secure.
Your first question may be, “hat is a VPN and why is it essential? A VPN creates a secure, encrypted “tunnel” between your health care organization and an external entity, such a vendor. When a medical device like an MRI machine or infusion pump connects to the vendor for updates, troubleshooting, or data sharing, a VPN ensures that this communication is safe from prying eyes. Simple terms. Its like having a private, locked highway between two points in the middle of a bunch of open roads. Without a VPN the data being sent between the medical device and the vendor could be intercepted, altered or stolen. This is especially dangerous in health
care because the data being shared often contains Protected Health Information (PHI), such as patient records, SSN or treatment plans. If compromised, this sensitive data could lead to HIPAA violations, financial penalties and loss of trust from patients.
In a health care setting, network configurations like NAT (Network Address Translation) and PAT (Port Address Translation) add another layer of security to VPN connections. NAT translates the private IP addresses of devices within a hospital’s internal network to a single public IP address before they communicate with the outside world (like a vendor’s system). This keeps internal device addresses hidden from external threats. PAT works similarly. It allows multiple devices to share one public IP address while mapping each device to a specific port. This means that even if an attacker tries to breach the public IP address, they won’t have direct access to individual devices because the ports provide a buffer. Both NAT and PAT ensure that medical devices are not directly exposed to the Internet, reducing the risk of being targeted in a cyberattack. When used with a VPN, these configurations add layers of defense, making it harder for unauthorized users to access critical medical systems.
Some may ask, “What if a vendor needs an SSL or direct connection to support the medical device?” Sometimes, health care organizations use SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) or a direct connection to communicate with a vendor’s system. SSL is often used to secure websites or email communications, and while it does offer encryption, it is not as robust as a VPN in this context. Even though SSL or direct connections may be the only option for communication, it is important to press the vendor to try to provide a more secure option. SSL can secure individual sessions but doesn’t provide the same end-to-end protection that a VPN does. With a VPN, the entire connection between the medical device and the vendor is encrypted, whereas SSL may only protect part of the communication, leaving room for vulnerabilities. Direct connections, on the other hand, bypass the network protections provided by NAT or PAT, meaning
medical devices may be directly exposed to the Internet without the protective layers that hide their IP addresses and ports. If the vendor’s network is compromised, as we have seen recently to some health care vendors, and a direct connection is established, hackers could gain access to the medical device or other parts of the hospital’s network. VPNs ensure that, even in the event of a vendor breach, the connection remains secure and isolated.
Whenever a health care organization connects a medical device to a vendor, it’s crucial to understand what data is being shared and how it’s being protected. Even before equipment is procured, you should be asking vendors questions such as:
1. What PHI is being transmitted? You need to know exactly what patient information is being sent to the vendor. This could include patient names, health records, or device usage data. Ensuring that the data shared is the minimum necessary to perform the tasks.
2. How is the data encrypted? Make sure that both the VPN and the vendor use strong encryption protocols to protect the data in transit and at rest.
3. Who has access to the data? Clarify who at the vendor’s end has access to the data and what controls are in place to prevent unauthorized access.
4. Does the vendor have a robust firewall configuration? Before building a VPN connection with your device, the vendor needs to provide technical information to ensure the connection is sure and aligns with your organization’s security protocols. They should be providing you:
• A Peer address
• IKE Version: the Internet Key Exchange (IKE) version used, such as IKEv2, which helps secure the key exchange process
• I KE and IPSec Encryption Algorithms: the encryp -
tion standards they use, such as AES-256, to protect data during transit
• IKE and IPSec Hashing Algorithms: the hashing methods (e.g SHA-256) to ensure data integrity
• NAT-T support: confirmation that Network Address Translation Traversal is supported, which allows VPN traffic to pass through firewalls using NAT
• Diffie-Hellman Group: the key exchange method and group used, ensuring secure key generation
• IKE and IPSec Default Lifetimes: information on how long security associations before keys are renegotiated
• PFS (Perfect Forward Secrecy): Whether PFS is supported to ensure new keys are used for each session, preventing past communications from being decrypted if a key is compromised
By understanding what’s being shared and how it’s being secured, health care organizations can maintain compliance with regulations like HIPAA and protect patients from data breaches.
In health care, protecting patient data and ensuring the reliability of medical devices are non-negotiable priorities. A VPN, along with the security provided by NAT and PAT, ensure that the connection between networked medical devices and vendors is as secure as possible. It creates an encrypted, private communication channel that shields sensitive information from cyberattacks. As healthcare technology continues to evolve, so do the threats. Hospitals must prioritize secure connections to vendors by utilizing VPNs over more vulnerable methods like SSL or direct connections. It is not about compliance it’s about patient safety.
Nadia ElKaissi, CHTM, is a biomedical engineer in the healthcare technology management department at the VA Central Office (19HTM).
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BULLETIN BOARD
Ben Calibrating, or Ben C. for short, is the face of MedWrench! While he may just be a small lego figure, you can find him all over the world.
At MedWrench we have an ongoing contest to see where Ben C. is traveling to and what he’s been up to! Here’s how you can participate:
STEP 1: Like the MedWrench Facebook & LinkedIn pages
“#BenC reminding this gal to stay level headed and keep a positive attitude- anything is possible” - Rhiannon Thurmond
STEP 3: Post a funny caption with your picture telling us what Ben C. is up to
STEP 2: Post your picture of Ben C using the hashtag #BenC
“Sometimes
a little help from my friends is all I need...” - Christopher Walters
STEP 4: Make sure you tag @MedWrench in your post so our team can see it
“#BenC and I, put on different shoes and wanted to help out in the biomed shop and trying something new that our EVS team does” - Rana Helou
An online resource where medical equipment professionals can find all the information needed to help them be more successful! The easy to navigate Bulletin Board gives you access to informative blogs, expos and events, continuing education opportunities, and a job board. Visit MedWrench.com/BulletinBoard to find out more about this resource.
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EVENTS: BLOGS:
OREGON BIOMED ASSOCIATION 2024 EXPO NOVEMBER 7-8, 2024
MEDICA 2024 NOVEMBER 11-14, 2024
Potential Challenges & Problems with AI in Healthcare Technology
BY JACOB FITZPATRICK
Many additional benefits have been discovered since the advent and integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into today’s biomedical devices and equipment. For instance, AI algorithms have already been proven to detect certain health conditions in patient images and extract important information from large volumes of unorganized patient electronic health records (EHR) better than humans. Thus, as more potential applications have presented themselves in the field of healthcare, the drive to further advance AI as a technology continues. However, with all these potential benefits AI presents, new challenges and problems arise that biomedical technologists and engineers must overcome as well.
READ MORE AT MEDWRENCH/BULLETIN-BOARD/BLOGS
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BIOMED BRAINBUSTER
1 It controls the rate of oxygen moving through a ventilator, 2 words
6 Button on a camcorder
8 Laws enforcing this basic right were recently passed in California and Minnesota, 3 words
10 Fluid ___: it’s used to heat intravenous fluids to body temperature before administration
13 It’s used to remove impurities
15 Where blood samples are analyzed
16 ____ chamber: it allows visual monitoring of fluid flow in an infusion pump
17 Amongst
19 Biopsy, for example
20 Needing replacement, often
21 Inert gas used where there is a need for increased oxygen intake, symbol
25 Company specializing in providing, servicing and replacing medical parts
29 English physicist who was one of the founders of Quantum Mechanics, Paul _____
31 Photog’s item, abbr.
32 Completes
33 A couple DOWN
1 Rapidly changing security feature used to defeat cyber attacks
2 Alternative to com, edu or net
3 Was confronted with 4 Instrument with a specific purpose
5 Medical term for a rupture of an organ, blood vessel or cell
6 ___ ____ Location System, 2 words
7 They are used in some x-ray film printers
noise made by some machinery
A doctor uses one in da Vinci surgeries
During surgery, it provides a visual feed of the surgical area
Assistance
____ balance monitor- it’s used in a dialysis machine to ensure liquids are properly removed
Attention ____ 23 ____ wires: they connect the electrodes to an ECG machine 24 It’s used to transport medical supplies and devices 26 Colostomy ____
27 Unit of radioactive activity, abbr. 28 HIPPA is one
___operate
Ultrasound equipment failure can be catastrophic.
Learn to service your own with our Solutionist Series videos.
When your ultrasound equipment is down, so is your business. Don’t miss our Solutionist Series videos on Ultrasound Equipment Support where you’ll learn how to service your equipment, keep your business up and running and lower your total cost of ownership.
In this 10-episode virtual training course on the Philips Epiq ultrasound platform, Larry Nguyen, Summit Imaging’s Founder and CIO, identifies common failures and provides solutions for:
• Power subsystem — power module and power regulator board
• External interfaces — control panel, touch panel, trackball, monitor and external IO
• Transducer types and applications — Doppler, linear, curved, endo-cavity and more.
• Transducer parts — a breakdown of standard and TEE
• Transducer parts and operational failures — from lens failure to cut or creased cords to CW noise and error codes
Larry Nguyen addresses lots more in our 10-episode Solutionist Series, so be sure to tune in.
GBIS SCRAPBOOK
The Georgia Biomedical Instrumentation Society recently held its 2024 annual conference.
ISO Instructor Ashley McCrary took some time to share her impression of the event. “This was my first year attending the GBIS conference and it was an enriching experience. I was able to network with other like-minded individuals within the HTM field as well as meet professionals from various sectors, including technology vendors, health care providers and keynote speakers, this experience provided a great chance to build connections and exchange ideas,” McCrary shared. “Another highlight was the wide range of educational sessions, hands-on learning, workshops and training provided which covered the latest trends, best practices and innovations in healthcare technology. I had the pleasure of teaching the 'Intro to ISO 13485' class. I enjoyed sharing my experiences and knowledge of leading my team to obtaining the certification.”
“Overall, the GBIS 2024 conference was a dynamic event that promotes learning, collaboration, and growth within the healthcare technology sector,” McCrary added.
3 5 6 4 2
1. GBIS mixer at Athentic Brewery, Athens GA.
2. GBIS Breakfast provided by Ace Vision Ultrasound & BC Group.
3. Welcome speech from Ray Laxton with reflections to Horace Hunter and Dr. Michael O’Rear.
4. GBIS mixer with vendors.
5. Intro to ISO 13485 class by Ashley McCrary
6. Nikhil Shirke introduces keynote speaker Milind Sawant, PHD on “Artificial Intelligence and machine learning”.
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ALPHABETICAL INDEX
“One for the books - Medygate Biomedical’s first annual Brews and Biomeds Fishing Derby.”
“The recent CMIA Los Angeles Chapter Meeting in Pasadena, sponsored by Level One Imaging Solutions and educational presentation by the same.”
- Jason Velick
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“I had an amazing experience partnering with Junior Achievement of Greater New Orleans, Inc. and LCMC Health/TRIMEDX, to speak with high school seniors at New Harmony High School, giving them valuable exposure to the exciting opportunities within the Healthcare Technology Management industry.”
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HANDS-ON TRAINING
Our training program at Tri-Imaging transcends traditional education by instilling skills that will resonate throughout your professional journey for years to come. Unlike conventional training experiences focused solely on facts and figures, we prioritize imparting practical, applicable skills.
Our commitment extends to fostering a deep understanding of the intricate inner workings of various devices and machines that our students will service in their careers. Here at Tri-Imaging we believe in nurturing individual growth, and to that end, we provide one-on-one assistance for each student.
Step into the future of education with Tri-Imaging, where our training program transcends boundaries to equip you with skills that stand the test of time.
