Hi Everyone

I have commenced a dissertation as part of my MSc in Biomedical Engineering. Having spent some time reading the many posts on this forum I can see there is much discussion regarding biomed databases.
I have decided to base my dissertation on the evaluation of various off-the-shelf database systems. In order to complete my dissertation I require the opinions of as many engineers as possible and I would be extremely grateful if you all could spare a few minutes to complete the poll I have created.

Thank you and best regards
Damian

Good luck with your thesis, Damian.

But I notice that your survey didn't mention such "real world" considerations as:-

1) Stand-alone
2) Networked
3) Web-based

... and (dare I mention it):-

1) Cost of implementation
2) Licensing considerations
3) Ease of implementation
4) Likely implementation time-scale
5) Quality (and cost) of support

Also:-

1) Ease of transporting previous data!
2) Ease of configurability to local needs and preferences

And (lastly) if you run out of steam (words, whatever), you might like to consider:-

1) The paperless system (does it actually exist?)
2) Mobile solutions (systems on hand-held devices etc.)
3) Integration with contemporary medical test equipment
4) Integration with tracking technology (RFID et al)

Thanks Geoff

In my thesis I will likely cover many of the topics you listed in your post. Any ideas how to get the cost of different systems? I have contacted many system developers in the past but got no replies.

Best Regards
Damian

Yes, I have remarked on this before. If their products are such amazing good value, you would think they would be proud to list their prices, or at least their price structure, would you not?

You may find that the best you can hope for are some "ball-park" prices relating to what members of this forum may be aware of. They won't have paid themselves, of course. But someone must know what the Trusts fork out.

My own suspicion is that they hide their prices because they are so outrageous!

I know they are outrageous, I have had quotes from GE and Fluke in the past, as with the famous Taskmaster there are some ' free' systems out there. As I have mentioned before my problem here is IT, this is another question for your thesis, Who controls the system IT or Biomed?

That's the trouble with medical equipment, almost by definition (most of) it is used in hospitals.

And we all know what that means ... "politics", and all the rest.

But, whilst acknowledging that is Damian's perspective (ie, hospitals), let's remember that there are other scenarios as well:-

1) Private workshops
2) Manufacturers' (vendors') service departments
3) Mobile service engineers
4) Contracting companies
5) So-called MES companies
6) Blokes working in cow-sheds ... and all the rest.

"so called MES companies"? Do you not believe that third party managed equipment service is real or viable?

(off to bed now so I'll see what response arrives over night)

Oh dear, I can see that this is getting off topic again

and double "oh".... hi Damian, how's things in NI? I'm a Derry boy me-self though long since gone far away

[sigh ... here we go again]

What I meant was:- people have different (various, if you prefer) understandings about what "MES" means!

Maybe we need a poll about that!

We use f2 from infohealth, its not listed but we certainly wont be looking to change ship at any point in the forseable future.

More database links here... http://www.ebme.co.uk/products/index.php?cat_id=24