EBME Forums Forums Management Medical Equipment Management IT / EBME Interface

Michael

Have a look at the IPEM website, there is a provional programme which might meet with your needs.

http://www.ipem.org.uk/ipem%5Fpublic/article.asp?id=397&did=49&aid=3861&st=&oaid=-1

Jim

Nice one Jim. What they're saying there just about sums it up. If only I were funded by the taxpayer, then I could enjoy such gatherings as well. :sigh:

Many thanks Jim will have a look at this
Micheal

The two departments will integrate more in the future. As new devices will come less wired.

http://www.healthcareitnews.com/news/cables-body-sensors-ge-moves-forward-patient-monitoring

As I keep saying (!), (in technical terms) there is nothing special about medical equipment - in fact, much of it is hardly what you might call "advanced" at all. It is simply the environment it is used in which makes it "special"! It is the nature of its use which gives emphasis to the issues we "major" on - like electrical safety (allowable leakage currents), for example.

The same with technical support. The way to go about it remains essentially the same, whether we're talking about (for example) medical ultrasound, or photocopiers. Put simply, kit is kit, and it needs to be supported and maintained (repaired, and all the rest), regardless of the technology it uses. I have always thought about things in these terms. Surely I am not alone?

The "trouble" with (hospital based) biomed is that so many techs involved make a "federal case" (that is, a big deal) out of the whole thing, whilst others (I'm sorry to say) simply see it as an easy ride until the pension becomes due!

Of course technical services in hospitals must converge (or better yet, merge)! Why not? It's the obvious path to take. Integration. Efficiency. Shared resources, and all that. But I think we all know why this won't be happening any time soon. In a word (or two):- personal self-interest! "Career building". In a single word:- Jobsworth!

Medical Equipment must be special, just look at the prices the companies charge just for using the term 'medical grade'

That's not special ... it's known as gouging, and it will continue as long as institutionalized healthcare continues. That is, spending someone else's money, "business lunches", and all the rest.

Take a close look at those who are the motivators behind purchasing in hospitals. Generally speaking, it's the "big shots" (surgeons and the like). Dare I suggest that "they're all in it together"? Do you think they give a Tinker's Cuss about maintenance and tech support?

"Make do and mend" is a motto that I recall from the happy days of my childhood. And (thinking about it) that's probably where my tendency towards what I call "good equipment husbandry" comes from. Again, surely I am not alone?

Can I suggest a link to the thread on patients TVs.
There is no point in doing electrical safety checks on the biomed kit and then plugging in a PC or printer that is going to push out a few milliamps into the patient.

Over-stating the point a little there, I would have thought, Brian. How is the printer connected to the patient?

But anyway, here is the link, for what it's worth.

If you are going to worry about non-biomed kit then why not colour code all the electrical outlets, green for biomed, yellow for pc's etc,
Yes I am joking, it is just that in my opinion regarding safety testing we have enough equipment without worrying about all the other non-biomed equipment in the hospital.