TechNation April 2025 by MD Publishing

1technation.com

Vol. 16

ADVANCING THE BIOMEDICAL / HTM PROFESSIONAL

APRIL 2025

ECRI Top 10:

TECHNOLOGY HAZARDS IN 2025 PAGE 54

P.18 | SHIFTING GEARS Cheryl Kidd

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CONTENTS P.12 SPOTLIGHT p.12 Professional of the Month: ‘The Biomed Girl’ Mayra Becerra, CBET p.14 Department of the Month: University Hospitals Healthcare Technology Management Department p.16 Next Gen: Ren Brown p.18 Shifting Gears: Cheryl Kidd P.20 INDUSTRY UPDATES p.20 News & Notes p.28 Welcome to TechNation p.31 Ribbon Cutting p.32 ECRI Update p.34 AAMI Update

54 P.36 THE BENCH p.36 Biomed 101 p.38 Tools of the Trade: Downtime Trace p.40 Webinar Wednesday p.42 Tools of the Trade: Cognosos p.45 Shop Talk powered by MedWrench p.46 Tools of the Trade: LifeSpark Medical P.48 FEATURE ARTICLES p.48 Roundtable: ISO & OEM Service Options p.54 Cover Story: ECRI Top 10: Technology Hazards in 2025 P.61 EXPERT ADVICE p.61 Careers Now p.62 The Future p.64 SPONSORED: Renovo Solutions p.66 Networking Notes p.68 SPONSORED: Tri-Imaging Solutions p.70 Health-ISAC p.72 Cybersecurity p.74 SPONSORED: ReNew Biomedical

TechNation (Vol. 16, Issue #4) April 2025 is published monthly by MD Publishing, 1155 Senoia Road, Ste. 200 Tyrone, GA 30290. TechNation magazine is dedicated to providing medical equipment service professionals with comprehensive, reliable, information concerning medical equipment, parts, service and supplies. It is published monthly by MD Publishing, Inc. Subscriptions are available free of charge to qualified individuals within the United States. Publisher reserves the right to determine qualification for a free subscriptions. Every precaution is taken to ensure accuracy of content; however, the information, opinions, and statements expressed in the articles and advertisements herein are those of the writer and/or advertiser, and not necessarily those of the publisher. ©2025

April 2025 | TechNation 9

PUBLISHER

John M. Krieg

VICE PRESIDENT

Kristin Leavoy

VICE PRESIDENT BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

Jayme McKelvey

EDITORIAL

John Wallace

CONTRIBUTORS

Roger Bowles K. Richard Douglas Jim Fedele Joie Marhefka Manny Roman Steven J. Yelton

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

Megan Cabot Emily Hise

ART DEPARTMENT

Karlee Gower Taylor Hayes Alicia Brown

Empowerin Healthcare Leaders of T 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.78 BREAKROOM p.78 Biomed Brainbuster p.79 Word Search p.79 [Contest] What’s on Your Bench? p.80 HTMA-OH Scrapbook p.88 Time Capsule p.82 Preferred Vendors p.84 Service Index

p.87 Alphabetical Index

EDITORIAL BOARD

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Rob Bundick, Director HTM & Biomedical Engineering, ProHealth Care

Carol Davis-Smith, CCE, FACCE, AAMIF, Owner/ President of Carol Davis-Smith & Associates, LLC

Nadia ElKaissi, CHTM, Biomedical Engineer, HTM, VA Central Office (19HTM) Bryant Hawkins Sr., Site Manager, Children’s Hospital of New Orleans

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Earl Morris Jr., BMET, Director of Clinical Engineering, Harrison County Hospital

Leticia Reynolds, Clinical Engineering Operations Manager at UCHealth Parkview Medical Center

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SPOTLIGHT

PROFESSIONAL OF THE MONTH ‘The Biomed Girl’

Mayra Becerra, CBET

BY K. RICHARD DOUGLAS

nown in the healthcare technology management community as “The Biomed Girl,” Mayra Becerra, CBET, is a biomed supervisor with a health system in South Florida

Becerra made her career choice at an early age and never looked back. “My interest in the HTM/ biomed profession started back in 10th grade when I attended a career fair. That’s where I came across biomedical engineering for the first time ever, and I was hooked. The mix of engineering and medicine immediately caught my attention and sparked my curiosity,” Becerra says. She says that after finishing her English as a second language program, she started looking into engineering programs at her college. “That’s when I found an Associate of Science in Engineering Technology with a focus in Biomedical Engineering. The curriculum really stood out to me because it had a lot of electronic classes; exactly what I wanted. It confirmed that I was heading in the right direction,” Becerra says. The program provided Becerra with a solid foundation in electronics, engineering principles, and medical technology. She says that while pursuing the degree, she gained practical knowledge that prepared her for the field. “To enhance my learning and gain hands-on experience, I volunteered at the hospital where I currently work. This opportunity allowed me to apply what I was learning in

12 TechNation | April 2025

a real-world healthcare setting, work alongside professionals, and understand how biomedical engineering impacts patient care. This combination of formal education and volunteer experience helped me significantly for my career in the HTM/biomed profession,” Becerra says. She is particularly happy with the biomed field because it combines her love for engineering with her mom’s dream that she go into medicine. “It’s the perfect balance – it makes me happy and made my mom happy too,” Becerra adds. She says that choosing HTM was one of the best decisions she’s ever made. She has climbed the career ladder from equipment repair technician to biomed I, biomed II, biomed III and biomed supervisor.

STEM INFLUENCER AND BIOMED SUPERVISOR Challenges help a person grow and provide for experiences that aid in a professional’s career. Becerra has had a few of these challenges as she has progressed in her career. “Throughout my career, I’ve encountered several challenges that have greatly contributed to my personal and professional growth. One of the first challenges I faced was overcoming doubts from male coworkers about my skills, simply because I am a woman. Additionally, English being my second language and having a strong accent initially impacted my confidence. However, I was fortunate to have great leaders who supported me, helping me to overcome these barriers and truly unlock my potential,” she says. Becerra says that aside from these personal challenges, she has faced organizational obstacles such as obtaining manufacturer training and getting approval for changes. While these are complex tasks, they are not impossible, and persistence has often been the key to success. “I’ve had the privilege of working on several significant projects. One of the most notable was the opening of a new cancer center, where I was involved in the inventory, configuration, and testing of over 400 new pieces of medical equipment. We ensured the building was fully equipped and ready for opening,” Becerra says. Other projects Becerra has been involved with include major upgrades of medical devices, including 2,000 Alaris infusion pumps, more than 40 central station computers and 300 vital signs monitors. She says that these projects required meticulous planning and execution. “Currently, I’m involved in the remodeling of the mother and baby department, which includes the implementation of a new monitoring station. In these projects, I’ve contributed to various stages, from initial planning to the ‘go live’ phase,” Becerra adds. She says that these experiences have sharpened her communication, planning and project management skills. Recognition for these achievements came by way of her state’s biomed association. “I was honored to receive the 2024 Biomed of the Year award from the Florida Biomedical Society, which was a significant recognition of my contributions to the industry,” Becerra says. Off the job, Becerra enjoys working out, which is her favorite hobby. “I enjoy staying active because it helps me maintain both physical and mental health,” she says. “Outside of my professional life, I have also achieved success in athletic competitions, earning first and second place in duathlons and 5K races,” she says. Becerra thinks of herself as a STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) influencer, an approach that combines these areas of study that should be the focus of young people who want to have a rewarding career. Her Youtube channel, TheBiomedGirl, along with TikTok and Instagrams channels, has allowed her to promote the HTM field. She is passionate about continuous learning and building meaningful connections with others. Whether in her professional life or personal interests, she is always eager to grow and develop. Sharing what she has learned with her biomed colleagues has been a meaningful embrace of social media. On YouTube, find The Biomed Girl at @TheBioMedGirl

BIOMETRICS FAVORITE BOOK: “You are a Badass”

FAVORITE MOVIE: “Deadpool”

HIDDEN TALENT: I am a fast runner

FAVORITE FOOD: Peruvian cuisine

FAVORITE PART OF BEING A BIOMED? I truly enjoy solving problems

WHY DO YOU READ TECHNATION?

I read TechNation to stay involved in the field and keep up with industry updates.

April 2025 | TechNation 13

SPOTLIGHT

DEPARTMENT OF THE MONTH University Hospitals Healthcare Technology Management Department

BY K. RICHARD DOUGLAS n Ohio, the University Hospitals Health System first opened its doors just after the Civil War. Starting out as a two-story wooden house in Cleveland, the system has expanded substantially since the 1860s. Today, the health system includes a top-ranked pediatric hospital as well as a top-ranked cancer center.

The health system’s mission statement reads: “To Heal. To Teach. To Discover.” For several years, the system’s medical device management has been a partnership between the health system and Sodexo. “Sodexo has been a healthcare delivery partner with University Hospitals for over 24 years and our Sodexo HTM program has been serving since 2018. Our Division’s DNA is comprised of Sodexo leaders and field support professionals along with 80 UH biomedical and imaging professionals,” says John White, MSHA, senior director of business development, Healthcare Technology Management at Sodexo Healthcare. The scope of the University Hospitals Healthcare Technology Management department’s staff contingent and asset inventory is both large. “Currently, 110 technical professionals and management-level operators. We currently service 90,000+ ($1.84 billion) medical equipment assets located at 20+ hospitals, 47 health centers, and 300+ sites of care throughout Northeast Ohio,” White says. The large HTM department’s efforts and accomplish14 TechNation | April 2025

ments have not gone unnoticed, as the team of biomeds and managers is the recipient of the 2025 Tech Choice Awards Department of the Year. The UH HTM Division operates as ISO 13485 program through its partnership with Sodexo Healthcare Technologies. Over the past year, it passed 7 DNV surveys with no findings or non-conformity recommendations. The team has completed over 39,000 scheduled maintenance activities, 19,000 corrective maintenance activities and remediated 12,345 assets of manufacturer recall/notification activities. This has been achieved with the team performing 83% of activities with its own hands which has resulted in UHHS reducing the total cost of ownership of the fleet by greater than 8% from 2023-2024. “This team is consistently recognized by clinical and operation leadership as an integral contributor to the health systems success and mission to bring quality and cost efficient health our communities,” the Tech Choice Award nomination shared. “University Hospitals is also home to the MacDonald (MAC) Women’s Hospital, the only dedicated women’s hospital in Ohio. Founded in 1866, University Hospitals serves the needs of patients through an integrated network of 20+ hospitals, more than 50 health centers and outpatient facilities, and over 200 physician offices in 16 counties throughout northern Ohio,” White adds. The HTM department is comprised of four separate departments: Clinical Engineering Services; Cybersecurity Services; Medical Equipment Management Office; and Portable Equipment Management Solutions.

2025 TECH CHOICE AWARD WINNER:

DEPARTMENT OF THE YEAR

“Service contracts are evaluated by the HTM Medical Equipprofessionals are equipped with varied specialized skill ment Management Office and the University Hospitals (UH) sets including all major X-ray modalities, ultrasound, Supply Chain team in concert with the Sodexo Corporate conanesthesia, and hemodialysis. We also have experts tract negotiators. We derive our service delivery with our cuswithin the Medical Equipment Management Office tomers and our strategy is to manage the total cost of ownerproviding contract analysis, project management, quality ship. This is all centered around ensuring control, recall management, capital we are driving desired clinical outcomes. planning, service delivery strategy, Helping us achieve these goals, is our ac“This team is consistently and cybersecurity team improving cess to the national buying power of Sorisk mitigation of the medical device recognized by clinical and networking following the NIST dexo HTM and relationships with our national partners,” White says. operation leadership as an framework,” White says. He says that through this process, He says that advanced training there have been operational and TCO reintegral contributor to the opportunities are available throughductions exceeding $80 million in the out all tiers of operations, enabling health systems success and continuous development of the past six years. The team has a strong working relationmission to bring quality and team to greater heights. ship between the UH IT and Sodexo “Many staff members are Medical Device Cybersecurity Manageactively involved in board-level cost efficient health our ment team. positions in the Healthcare communities.” Technology Management AssociaHTM COMPETENCIES tion of Ohio (state biomedical The HTM team is made up of a number of association) and have participated specialists with internal training and advancement opportuniwith AAMI advisory councils,” White says. ties available. This has been a partnership that has served the “UH operations are comprised of resident and regional medical equipment management needs at University support professionals focused on ensuring that all technology Hospitals very well. remains available for driving patient outcomes. Our technical

April 2025 | TechNation 15

SPOTLIGHT

NEXT GEN POWERED BY YP AT MD

Re Brown

e Brown is a Biomedical Equipment Specialist with Duke Health (Duke University Hospital) where she works with 2024 Tech Choice Award Young Professional of the Year Allison Woolford, CBET.

Woolford nominated Brown as a rising star in HTM so TechNation asked her to share more information about herself. Q: WHERE DID YOU GROW UP? A: The Colony, Texas. Q: WHERE DID YOU RECEIVE YOUR HTM TRAINING/ EDUCATION? A: Fort Sam Houston, Texas. Q: HOW DID YOU FIRST DISCOVER HTM? A: I discovered HTM through the Army. Q: HOW DID YOU CHOOSE TO GET INTO THIS FIELD? A: After taking my ASVAB in 2011, I found out that I qualified for a few jobs in the 68 series. I selected 68A, BMET, after a quick search on the internet.

Q: WHAT INTERESTS YOU THE MOST ABOUT HTM? A: Medical device cybersecurity, HL7 and networking interest me the most. Q: WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR GREATEST ACCOMPLISHMENT IN YOUR FIELD THUS FAR? A: My greatest accomplishment thus far is becoming an subject matter expert in multiple specialties. Q: WHAT GOALS DO YOU HAVE FOR YOURSELF IN THE NEXT 5 YEARS? A: Mentoring my local community, networking within HTM and obtaining meaningful certifications are goals that I would like to accomplish in the next 5 years.

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FAVORITE SHOW OR MOVIE: “Eve’s Bayou”

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WHAT WOULD YOUR SUPERPOWER BE? Tenacity

Q: WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT YOUR POSITION? A: I like that I get to utilize my expertise and humor to resolve issues. I encounter a multitude of situations where a little joke can completely change the mood. Creating an open space while remaining professional makes it easier to find out pertinent information. I also like that HTM crosses into other fields such as IT, engineering, and infection control. 16 TechNation | April 2025

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SPOTLIGHT

SHIFTING GEARS Cheryl Kidd, Biomedical Technologist

C BY TIFFANY MAYER

heryl Kidd isn’t your cookie cutter biomedical technologist.

By day, Cheryl works with the biomedical engineering team at the Niagara Falls Hospital repairing and troubleshooting equipment for frontline staff. But when her shift ends, she trades her tools for an apron and mixing bowl at her homebased bakery, The Chippawa Bakeshop. 18 TechNation | April 2025

“Between working full-time and having a busy family, I want to be the person someone comes to when they’re going to someone’s house and they want to bring something, or they need treats,” Cheryl says. “It provides an alternative to grocery stores. A lot of people are disappointed in the grocery store products where they cut corners on ingredients.” If it sounds like Cheryl is on a mission, she is. The 13-year Niagara Health veteran is dedicated to keeping hospital equipment – such as heart and blood pressure monitors, incubators, infusion pumps and ventilators – in prime working condition and contributing to providing high-quality care. “Patient safety is our priority,” Cheryl says.

When in the presence of flour, butter, sugar and a whisk, Cheryl has a similar aim. “Delicious food is tied to people’s memories, emotions and feelings of well-being,” she explains. “It’s my passion and a responsibility I want to share with the world.” Cheryl’s journey as a pastry prodigy began when she was eight and baked her first apple crisp. Growing up in Niagara, she was always encouraged by her mother to help in the kitchen. Cheryl recalls how proud she felt making something so delicious, and that success at an early age spurred childhood dreams of one day opening her own bakery. Then another interest took hold after high school when she chose to study electronics at Niagara College. Her introduction to biomedical applications came thanks to a teacher who had a medical equipment design business. After graduating, she headed to Fanshawe College for a post-graduate certificate in biomedical electronics and then forged a career in the field. “I love how I get to work on things that are technical and also get to learn about the body and how the two interact,” Cheryl says. After a few jobs elsewhere, “I got my dream job here,” she says about Niagara Health. “I always had my eye on working here.” Through it all, Cheryl honored her love of baking by whipping up spontaneous batches of scones or muffins for her family, and hanging out a virtual shingle on Facebook Marketplace advertising her homemade shortbread for sale during the holidays. Last year, she spent the time and money building a certified, inspected kitchen in her home to meet the demand during baking’s high seasons of Christmas, Easter and summer. Cheryl also bakes simple cakes for different occasions. Over time, she’s built up a regular and loyal clientele, taking orders and delivering the results. “Baking gives people good memories,” Cheryl says. “It makes people feel good to eat good food. I bake everything like I’m baking for family.” This past summer, her profession and passion merged when she created a shortbread cookie cutter during a 3D printing competition. The result was a rectangular cutter on one side and a docking tool on the other to poke holes in the dough, allowing steam to escape and ensuring a flat and even texture to the shortbread. Although the judges ultimately awarded the 3D printing champ title to Cheryl’s coworker Ryan Crawford for his detailed replica of an oven, Cheryl still walked away with a win. She had long sought a tool to cut and perforate her shortbread dough perfectly and she now has a working prototype. She maintains the real secret to good shortbread is to cream the butter at least three to five minutes. As for juggling life as a biomed tech and baker, it’s all about finding the right mix. “I feel like I get the best of both worlds,” Cheryl says. “I don’t want the baking to be too busy. Just a slow climb. Everything is in place to be busier when time allows.”

“Delicious food is tied to people’s memories, emotions and feelings of well-being. It’s my passion and a responsibility I want to share with the world.”

April 2025 | TechNation 19

INDUSTRY UPDATES

NEWS & NOTES Updates from the HTM Industry

IN MEMORIAM: ROBERT “BOB” STANLEY FELDMAN Robert “Bob” Stanley Feldman, born on July 15, 1942, of Brockton, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 1, 2025, at 82 years of age. Bob is known for International X-ray Brokers. The company was established in 1987 as a small business in Needham, Massachusetts. Bob was fortunate enough to work with the founder of the company, Joel Greenberg. In 2007, he purchased International X-ray Brokers (IXB) from the Greenberg family. Over the decades, he further developed the business. Manny Roman said Bob was someone he would seek out at trade shows and conferences. “Bob was always one of the people that Ruth and I looked forward to seeing at the shows and conferences. We loved catching up with him and his family. He was a true gentleman, innovator of the industry and a great family man. Our hearts go out to his family and the industry. His family has a great legacy to build on,” Roman said. He was also a founding member of IAMERS and a long-standing board member. “While on the board, Bob was a great contributor to

20 TechNation | April 2025

IAMERS success,” IAMERS President and Executive Director Diana Upton wrote in an email. “While on the IAMERS board, Bob was the membership director. He was certainly successful at increasing our membership. No one, as a volunteer, ever worked harder, or put in more hours, for IAMERS than Bob did,” Upton added. His mark on the HTM industry is a lasting one. MD Publishing President and Founder John Krieg is among the many who were impacted by Bob’s thoughtfulness and dedication to service. “Personally and professionally Bob taught me so much in my career – how to treat people, how to carry yourself in all situations and deal with people in difficult times. His honesty and integrity were second to none,” Krieg said. “As they say, he is ‘one of the good ones,’ with an enormous heart and kindness that is to be admired,” he shared. In lieu of flowers, donations in Bob’s name, may be made to Dr. Praful Ravi’s Research Fund at Dana Farber Cancer Institute, PO Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284-9168 or by phone at 800-525-4669.

OHMS LAW APPAREL GIVES BIOMEDS RECOGNITION Ohms Law Apparel, a clothing brand dedicated to the biomedical and healthcare technology community, is making waves with its unique, science-inspired apparel. The company aims to give biomeds – often the unsung heroes of healthcare – a brand they can wear with pride, showcasing their essential role in the medical field. “Ohms Law Apparel is more than just clothing; it’s a movement,” says Chace Torres, CEO of Ohms Law Apparel. “Biomeds are the backbone of healthcare technology, but they often go unrecognized. We’re here to change that.” The brand offers a range of high-quality, stylish apparel and accessories, including performance polos, hoodies, fleece jackets, high-top sneakers, caps, and water bottles. One of the most exciting new additions is the Glitched Ohms Law Collection, which puts a modern twist on the classic Ohm’s Law formula – symbolizing both the science and resilience of the profession. While most in the field are used to wearing OEM, ISO, or hospital-branded merchandise, Ohms Law Apparel is creating

something different – gear designed for biomeds, by biomeds. “We’re not just selling clothing – we’re creating a brand that represents the people who keep hospitals running,” Torres explains. “It’s about standing out and taking pride in what we do.” The company has big plans for the future, including: • Expanding into other technical professions while staying true to the mission of recognizing skilled professionals. • Collaborations with industry influencers and organizations to further highlight the impact of biomedical professionals. • Limited-edition releases that continue evolving the brand while maintaining its core message of empowerment. • Ohms Law Apparel is more than just volts and amps – it’s about problem-solvers, innovators, and solution architects. “This is for us,” says Torres. “We’re building a movement. A voice for the unsung heroes of healthcare. It’s time to show the world who we are – and wear it boldly.” For more information, visit ohmslawapparel.com.

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INDUSTRY UPDATES

DIRECTMED IMAGING ACQUIRES RICHARDSON HEALTHCARE DirectMed Imaging, a leading supplier of aftermarket medical imaging parts, systems and training, has acquired Richardson Healthcare’s Fort Mill, South Carolina operation. Richardson Healthcare is a division of Richardson Electronics. DirectMed’s acquisition expands its Canon/Toshiba MRI and CT parts expertise and inventory breadth. The purchase also allows DirectMed to enter the Canon/Toshiba CT training market for engineers and biomedical professionals, as well as become the exclusive global distributor for Richardson Electronics repaired Siemens Straton Z, MX, and MXP CT X-ray tubes. Additionally, DirectMed will now be the exclusive global distributor for the ALTA750 and ALTA 750G CT X-ray tubes. DirectMed’s customers will benefit from Richardson Electronics’ world-class X-ray tube manufacturing infrastructure, engineering talent and expertise that repairs Siemens X-ray tubes, a highly valued offering in the marketplace. “DirectMed has spent five years making strategic investments and now six acquisitions that bring our customers excellence in inventory and service,” said Brad de Koning, DirectMed Imaging CEO. “Richardson Healthcare has built an impressive CT X-ray tube, training and parts business. We are excited to have their

expertise, solutions and inventory under our roof and to strengthen our Canon/Toshiba aftermarket parts offerings.” “Hospitals and service organizations cannot waste time when their engineers need parts or support to keep mission-critical diagnostic imaging machines up and running,” said Tanner LoRusso, chief commercial officer for DirectMed Imaging. “Our customers have come to know us as a dependable partner to help solve their most difficult needs quickly and efficiently. The acquisition of Richardson Healthcare is the latest milestone of DirectMed’s to invest in the needs of our customers.” “We recognize that our customers operate in an industry where efficiency and cost-savings are intertwined with quality patient care,” said Nicholas Richardson, Richardson Healthcare global senior sales and business operations manager. “By joining the DirectMed family, we are creating more enhanced, innovative and compelling solutions for new and existing clients. Together, we can deliver a level of expertise and inventory that neither brand could have achieved on its own.” DirectMed is backed by private equity firm Frazier Healthcare Partners.

LONE STAR HTM ASSOCIATION FOSTERS STATEWIDE COLLABORATION The Lone Star Healthcare Technology Management (HTM) Association is pleased to announce its launch as a new nonprofit entity focused on advancing healthcare technology management across the great State of Texas. While Texas has traditionally had two primary HTM associations – HTMA-NTX in Dallas-Fort Worth and HTMA-TX in Houston – Lone Star HTM represents the first statewide initiative to unify and support the growth of HTM societies across the state. The idea began as a collaboration between executive leadership between these two organizations and will aim to serve as a coordinating body for HTM professionals statewide, collegiate HTM associations, and vendors from across the country who want to get plugged into the Texas HTM scene. Rather than creating a state board, Lone Star operates as an independent entity, allowing existing HTM associations to maintain their autonomy. These associations will continue to host their own events, select guest speakers, and operate according to their respective bylaws while partnering with Lone Star HTM for additional support. In the coming months, Lone Star HTM will unveil its lifetime Founding Sponsors, a select group of hospitals, OEMs, ISOs, GPOs, consulting groups, and Texas-based third-party biomedical and imaging companies who are providing seed investment for the organization. The unique fundraising model enables Lone

22 TechNation | April 2025

Star HTM to support existing associations without encroaching on their activities. “We’re frequently asked how people can start HTM chapters in places like Austin, San Antonio, the Panhandle, or South Texas,” said Webb Clark, President of HTMA-NTX and Acting Secretary of the Lone Star HTM Association. “Lone Star HTM will provide legal support, fundraising assistance, and a vast, established network to help new chapters get off the ground. Additionally, we’ll have cost-saving resources such as our website, which will serve as a central hub to connect associations and professionals across the state, as well as vendors who want to get involved with these organizations.” In addition to supporting the growth of local chapters, Lone Star HTM is organizing a premier state-level conference by 2026, focused on professional development, industry trends, and cutting-edge practices in healthcare technology management. This conference will be a milestone in advancing the field across Texas.

BRYANT HAWKINS SR. ANNOUNCES CHILDREN’S BOOK Bryant Hawkins Sr., a trailblazer in the healthcare technology management (HTM) industry, recently announced the release of his first children’s book, “Voices of Medical Equipment,” set to launch on April 1. “This exciting book bridges the gap between young readers’ imaginations and the critical, yet often overlooked, world of healthcare technology management,” according to a news release. “Voices of Medical Equipment” is not just another storybook. It’s an invitation for pre-teens aged 9-13, and readers of all ages to explore the machines that quietly but heroically play essential roles in hospitals. Through engaging characters and imaginative storytelling, Hawkins brings patient monitors, ultrasound machines, and other vital equipment to life, sparking curiosity and awareness of careers in HTM. Having dedicated over 30 years to the HTM industry, Hawkins is no stranger to educating professionals about HTM’s role in saving lives. But this new venture is a personal response to a critical question: Who is preparing the next generation to embrace HTM? “I’ve spent the last three years speaking to an average of 1,000 or more kids annually, and none of them or their teachers knew what HTM was,” Hawkins shared. “This book is a way to change that by planting seeds of inspiration and showing kids that healthcare technology management isn’t just about machines, it’s about innovation, teamwork and compassion.” The book’s origins are also a tribute to Hawkins’ colleagues in the HTM community. Inspired by Chace Torres’ “Ollie the Biomed” and Jennifer Chester’s “Bella the Big Fix,” Hawkins felt motivated to contribute his own voice to this growing effort to engage youth. Together, these books represent a movement to introduce kids to a field where they can truly make a difference. Although “Voices of Medical Equipment” is designed for pre-teens, its message resonates across generations. Parents, teachers, and even HTM professionals will find joy and meaning within its pages. The book celebrates the unsung heroes of healthcare, the machines and the people behind them. And aims to inspire future innovators to join the field. “It’s more than a book,” Hawkins explained. “It’s a way to give back to an industry that’s given me so much and to help kids see that careers in healthcare technology are pathways to making real, meaningful change in the world.” As Hawkins counts down to the April 1 release, he invites parents, educators, and industry professionals to join the journey. In the months leading up to the release, Hawkins will be sharing behind-the-scenes content, sneak peeks, and exclusive stories about the making of the book. “I want this book to be more than just something kids read, it should be a movement that opens doors to new dreams,” Hawkins said. Stay connected to learn more about “Voices of Medical Equipment” and join the effort to inspire the next generation of healthcare technology management professionals. Follow along as Hawkins continues his mission of elevating the future of healthcare technology management, one story at a time. For updates, visit htmontheline.com April 2025 | TechNation 23

INDUSTRY UPDATES

The latest news and events from TechNation MD EXPO SOCAL 2025 PRE-APPROVED FOR 50 CEUS The MD Expo SoCal, scheduled for April 15-17, 2025, is proud to announce that it has been pre-approved for 50 Continuing Education Units (CEUs), providing healthcare technology management (HTM) professionals with a unique opportunity to enhance their expertise and advance their careers. This highly anticipated conference will take place in a welcoming environment designed to foster meaningful connections, knowledge sharing, and hands-on learning. The MD Expo is renowned for its intimate, dynamic setting that attracts a wide range of HTM professionals, including clinical engineers, biomedical technicians, directors, managers, procurement/asset managers, and more. Attendees will benefit from engaging with leading industry experts, discovering cutting-edge technologies, and participating in advanced educational sessions on the latest developments in HTM, compliance, IT, cybersecurity, and medical equipment service. Attendees can expect to experience: • Industry-Leading Speakers: Experts will cover the hottest topics in HTM, including equipment maintenance, cybersecurity, regulatory compliance, and emerging technologies. • Exclusive Networking Events: Unique opportunities to connect with industry peers and share best practices. • World-Class Exhibit Hall: Discover the latest products, services, and technologies transforming healthcare. • H.O.T. Workshops: New hands-on training sessions, providing immersive learning for technicians on patient monitors, portable ultrasound, and defibrillators. Key educational sessions include: • Introduction to Medical Imaging Modalities for Managers, Biomeds, and Imaging Engineers (Parts I & II) by Dale Cover, President (Retired), RSTI • Introduction to Contrast Injectors by Stephen Maull, Owner, Maull Biomedical Training, LLC

• AEDs Under the Microscope: Why Testing is Non-Negotiable by Lewis Lennard, Product Manager, Rigel Medical • Medical Device Operability and the Importance of Cybersecurity Risk Assessments by Nadia ElKaissi and Jane Lacson, Biomedical Engineers, VA HTM National Program Office Additional workshops will provide expert-led training, including: • How to Prepare for a Successful Joint Commission Survey • Developing Customer Service and Communication Skills for HTM Professionals • Data-Driven Decision Making to Increase Asset Availability and Reduce Costs Attendees can also look forward to panel discussions such as Women in HTM, as well as interactive sessions on the latest trends in inventory management, capital equipment planning, and medical device cybersecurity. The MD Expo SoCal is a premier event for anyone involved in healthcare technology management. Whether you are looking to enhance your skills, expand your professional network, or learn about the future of medical equipment, this event is one you cannot afford to miss. Event Details: • Dates: April 15-17, 2025 • Location: Southern California • CEUs: 50 CEUs pre-approved • Registration: Visit MDExpoShow.com for more details

ENTER TECHNATION’S 15TH ANNIVERSARY CONTEST Enter the contest and help TechNation celebrate. Fill out the short form at 1technation.com/contest for a chance to win one of 12 prizes, each valued at $150 or more! Additional entries to win can be acquired by sharing on LinkedIn or submitting a photo. Each month, a winner will be selected and featured in TechNation magazine! January’s winner is Mayra Becerra and February’s winner is Sterling Brown.

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24 TechNation | April 2025

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‘PEOPLE ON THE MOVE’ CELEBRATES CAREER MILESTONES TechNation, the leading monthly magazine and essential resource guide for over 12,000 medical equipment service professionals, is proud to announce the launch of a new special section on its website called “People on the Move.” This exciting addition will spotlight the latest career news within the healthcare technology management (HTM) community, including job promotions, new hires, retirements, and other career developments that shape the future of the industry. As the ultimate resource for Biomedical/CE, Imaging, and professionals, TechNation continuously strives to provide valuable editorial content and industry updates that keep its readers informed and engaged. The new “People on the Move” section is designed to celebrate the achievements and career transitions of professionals across the HTM field, further solidifying TechNation’s role in advancing the biomedical profession. The section offers a platform for individuals and organizations to share significant career milestones, whether it’s a well-earned promotion, a new hire, or retirement. Each new post will feature an easy-to-use submission form where readers can share their own career news and celebrate the accomplishments of their colleagues. “We are thrilled to introduce ‘People on the Move’ as a way to connect professionals within the HTM community and celebrate their career successes,” TechNation Editor John Wallace said. “The HTM field is filled with talented individuals whose work is essential in the healthcare industry, and this section gives them the recognition they deserve.” TechNation encourages all readers to visit the new section at 1technation.com/peopleonthemove to keep up with the latest career news in the HTM community. Professionals are also invited to contribute their own career updates and share the milestones that matter most to them.

ER 4 0 UND

REMINDER: APPLY NOW FOR THE 2025 40 UNDER 40 TechNation is excited to remind HTM professionals that the deadline for nominations for the 2025 40 Under 40 is fast approaching – April 24, 2025. This prestigious recognition celebrates the brightest young minds in the HTM field, spotlighting the next generation of leaders who are making significant contributions to healthcare technology. The 40 Under 40 class, powered by YP at MD, highlights accomplished young professionals under the age of 40 who have demonstrated excellence in the HTM industry. This is TechNation’s third annual installment of the 40 Under 40, and applications are now being accepted. “We are thrilled to continue this tradition of recognizing exceptional young professionals in the HTM community,” MD Publishing’s Megan Cabot said. “The enthusiasm and talent of the next generation of HTM leaders is inspiring, and we look forward to highlighting their achievements and the incredible work they are doing to advance healthcare technology.”

The application Y P AT M D process is simple, and TechNation encourages individuals or colleagues to submit nominations for any HTM professionals who meet the criteria. Selected individuals will be notified in May 2025 and will be featured in TechNation’s special 40 Under 40 edition later this year. If you know an HTM professional deserving of this recognition, don’t wait – apply now! The deadline for nominations is April 24, 2025. To submit nominations or for more information, scan the QR code.

April 2025 | TechNation 25

INDUSTRY UPDATES

REGISTER TODAY FOR HTM MIXER DENVER HTM professionals, mark your calendars! Registration is now open for HTM Mixer Denver 2025, a premier regional conference designed to provide hands-on education, networking, and industry engagement. The event will take place on May 15-16, 2025, at the Omni Interlocken Hotel in Broomfield, Colorado. Set against the breathtaking Rocky Mountains, this two-day event offers attendees the perfect opportunity to enhance their skills, explore the latest in healthcare technology management, and connect with industry leaders in an intimate, interactive setting. HTM Mixers are known for delivering high-impact education and networking in a more personalized environment compared to larger national conferences. Attendees can look forward to: • Continuing Education Credits – Advance your career with valuable CE opportunities.

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• Engaging Exhibit Hall – Discover the latest innovations and solutions from top vendors. • Unparalleled Networking – Connect with peers and leading professionals in the HTM industry. HTM Mixer Denver is proudly supported by the Colorado Association of Biomedical Equipment Technicians (CABMET), one of the nation’s oldest and most respected biomedical societies. Founded in 1974, CABMET remains committed to the growth and professional development of HTM professionals worldwide. Whether you’re looking to earn CE credits, discover new industry solutions, or expand your professional network, HTM Mixer Denver is a must-attend event. Register today at denver.htmmixer.com and secure your spot!

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INDUSTRY UPDATES

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Q: WHAT PRODUCT, SERVICE, OR SOLUTIONS DOES YOUR COMPANY PROVIDE TO THE INDUSTRY? Riding the coattails of the most popular ride share apps, food delivery apps, and TaskRabbit, Downtime Trace is a mobile app for medical equipment maintenance and repairs. From their mobile phones, hospitals and imaging centers follow simple steps while the app tracks and stores important data for easy future access to important service information: • Blast a service need • Choose a bid based on pricing, response time, and a service provider’s rating/reviews • All service provider options will have (at a minimum); competence to service the specific make/model of equipment on your Blast, proper insurance coverage, motivation to perform, and ratings/reviews from other customers • Receive in-app communication • Approve final work • Pay and review • Easy access to historical service data for past service events Our vision is to revolutionize commerce between customers and service providers by transforming it from a slow, expensive, and antiquated phone-call system to a fast, competitive, and technologically advanced experience.

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Q: TELL US WHAT DIFFERENTIATES YOUR COMPANY FROM THE COMPETITION? In terms of competition, DTT stands out by offering a unique solution that no other company in the industry provides. Here are the reasons why we believe DTT will be successful: 1. This product is extremely easy to buy and implement compared to pain hospitals and imaging centers are used to when changing service 2. Individual service technicians that want an opportunity to do something on their own will realize financial rewards, less hassle, and more flexibility 3. Independent Service Organizations can generate additional time and materials revenue. 4. Similarly, the Original Equipment Manufacturers have the ability to augment their resources, as well as generate T&M revenue. 5. Last, but certainly not least, health care providers will have a greater voice and more insight into the care and maintenance of their equipment. The best part of all of this is...the app is agnostic. It does not favor any entity within the medical equipment service industry. It purely and simply provides optionality that customers and service professionals do not have today. Q: WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TECHNATION FOR ADVERTISING? At Downtime Trace, we have intentionally chosen TechNation to unveil our product because we recognize it as the premier industry partner for disseminating and obtaining crucial industry and professional information. TechNation has its finger on the pulse of the Healthcare Technology Management (HTM) community and successfully reaches every key audience, including manufacturers, Independent Service Organizations (ISOs), Healthcare Technology Organizations, and gig workers/independent contractors. While other entities may only address segments of our profession and often remain non-committal, TechNation consistently provides the essential insights and updates needed for our community’s success. By partnering with TechNation, we are confident that everyone will learn about Downtime Trace and the innovative solutions we offer. For more information, visit downtimetrace.com.

28 TechNation | April 2025

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INDUSTRY UPDATES

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DM Medical specializes in the repair and refurbishment of small-component electrical medical equipment. Sales Manager Scott Leatherwood recently shared more information about RDM Medical and how it is helping biomeds and healthcare facilities.

Q: WHAT ARE SOME OF THE SERVICES AND PRODUCTS YOU OFFER? A: Our expertise spans a wide range of products, including line isolation monitors, blanket warmer control boards, hospital bed control boards, patient lifts, power supplies, Swisslog HMI interfaces, TU/blower boards, automatic door control boards, and ice maker control boards. We are particularly excited about expanding our capabilities in biomedical equipment refurbishment, ensuring healthcare facilities can maximize equipment lifespan while maintaining high performance and reliability. Q: HOW DOES YOUR COMPANY STAND OUT IN THE MEDICAL EQUIPMENT FIELD? A: RDM Medical sets itself apart by combining cutting-edge diagnostic and repair technologies with a commitment to quality, efficiency, and cost savings. Our advanced testing and refurbishment processes go beyond basic repairs – we proactively identify and replace weak components to extend the lifespan of medical devices. By helping

healthcare facilities reduce maintenance costs without compromising quality, we empower them to allocate resources where they matter most – improving patient care. Q: WHAT IS ON THE HORIZON FOR YOUR COMPANY? A: We are proud to have recently achieved ISO 9001 certification, reinforcing our dedication to quality and continuous improvement. Moving forward, we plan to expand our presence in the biomedical field, offering our trusted repair and refurbishment services to a broader range of healthcare providers. Our goal is to further develop partnerships that enhance operational efficiency and sustainability in medical equipment maintenance. Q: IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU WOULD LIKE OUR READERS TO KNOW? A: RDM Medical LLC – a subsidiary of RDM Industrial Electronics – brings nearly 40 years of expertise in circuit board repair to the healthcare industry. What sets us apart is our remanufacturing process, where we proactively replace aging components rather than just fixing identified issues. This allows us to provide products that meet or exceed OEM standards, backed by a one-year warranty. By choosing RDM Medical, you are not just getting a repair service – you are investing in long-term reliability, cost efficiency, and superior performance for your medical equipment. This allows us to fully stand behind our products, offering the same warranty on our parts as the manufacturer: one year. For more information, visit rdmmedical.net.

April 2025 | TechNation 31

INDUSTRY UPDATES

ECRI UPDATE

Strategies for Managing the Risks Associated with AI-Enabled Health Technologies

BY ROB SCHLUTH n February 2025, ECRI convened a panel to discuss the No. 1 Hazard – “Risks with AI-Enabled Health Technologies” – highlighted in the 2025 edition of the organization’s Top 10 Health Technology Hazards report. Panelists outlined some of the benefits and risks associated with the use of AI solutions in healthcare, and described strategies for minimizing those risks. Excerpts from that discussion are presented below.

Scott R. Lucas: “For AI to help us achieve the goal of zero preventable harm, the governance and risk management policies associated with a Total Systems Safety approach need to be established now, as more and more devices are hitting the marketplace.” Lucas set the stage for ECRI’s program by noting that AI is revolutionizing healthcare and by expressing the hope that, if directed appropriately, the technology can help us achieve zero preventable harm. Currently, all stakeholders – system designers, providers, payers, regulators, and others – are balancing innovation and speed-to-market with the need to ensure that safe medical devices are in the hands of providers. That shared burden, along with the natural tension between those two goals, are foundational to why ECRI chose to highlight “Risks with AI-Enabled Health Technologies” in the 2025 edition of its Top 10 Health Technology Hazards report. Jillian Hillman: “An AI model that is not well matched to the problem the organization is trying to solve will yield disappointing results.” Hillman expanded on the importance of governance and oversight. Key themes discussed throughout the 32 TechNation | April 2025

program include the need to assess risks, manage expectations, and monitor performance over time – activities that would be directed by an organization’s AI governance committee. In a nutshell, the committee would be responsible for confirming that an AI solution remains aligned with a facility’s core ethical principles, and that it is deployed in a manner that improves patient outcomes without causing harm. If the organization does not have a clear idea of the problem that it hopes to solve with an AI solution, and if it has not defined metrics for success, it will not be able to assess whether the solution is meeting those goals. Christie Bergerson: “One of the major keys to successful implementation is pairing AI with the right human expertise.” In this segment of the program, Bergerson addressed some of the beneficial ways that AI is transforming patient care and some of the strategies that can facilitate success. She noted that: “AI performs best when working alongside skilled clinicians who understand its strengths and weaknesses. If the pairing isn’t right – if a clinician is too reliant on AI or isn’t familiar with its limitations – performance can drop dramatically.” In other words: “A good human-AI pairing is equal to more than the sum of its parts. A bad pairing can be worse than either alone.” Bergerson also cautioned about some of the risks: Even the best AI models can drift in performance over time, especially if there are changes to things like patient populations, imaging protocols, supporting equipment, or workflows. Also, the technology isn’t foolproof. AI can sometimes “hallucinate” – producing confident but incorrect recommendations. For these reasons, AI tools need ongoing monitoring to

Panelists for ECRI’s webcast: “Managing the Risks Associated with AI-Enabled Health Technologies: Strategies for Addressing Our #1 Hazard.”

Scott Lucas

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Jillian Hillman

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Christie Bergerson PhD, Device Safety Analyst

ensure they remain accurate, and human oversight is critical. ECRI considers it essential that humans remain “in the loop” – that is, that clinicians check AI-generated results and that they guard against complacency, as can occur when an AI solution performs well most of the time. Jim Martucci: “Regulatory clearance provides some level of comfort, but there are aspects of AI systems that regulators can’t get at.” Following up the discussion about potential risks, Martucci addressed aspects of an effective risk management approach to AI. Regulatory clearance can be helpful, but clearance alone is not sufficient. For one thing, as noted, AI performance can vary (or drift) over time. For another thing, many AI products used in the healthcare environment would not be classified as medical devices, and thus would not be regulated as such. Nevertheless, such systems can impact patient care. One key factor to consider is explainability – that is: Can you explain how the model works, or is the model so sophisticated that you’re fully relying on the tool itself? Another is the clinical risk profile, which is an assessment of the risk level associated with the solution, considering factors such as the patient’s condition (from non-serious to critical) and the significance of the information that the AI tool is providing (from simply informing clinical management to treating or diagnosing the patient). Francisco Rodriguez-Campos: “When evaluating AI-enabled technologies, the question you need to answer is: Does the AI solution work better than the previous process?” During a discussion of ECRI’s approach to evaluating the

Jim Martucci

Strategy Consultant

Francisco Rodriguez-Campos

PhD, Principal Project Officer I, Device Safety, ECRI

AI capabilities of medical devices that it tests, Rodriguez-Campos noted that, while the technology behind AI solutions may be complex, the concept behind how to evaluate those solutions doesn’t have to be. Many AI solutions aren’t doing something new. Rather, they are helping to make an existing process faster, or more efficient, or more accurate. So, healthcare organizations need to assess whether the AI solution is achieving that goal. To do that: Processes need to be established to monitor the system’s performance over time. Thus it’s important to get a good baseline of your performance before the AI solution is implemented into the workflow, so that you have a means of comparison. Then, track metrics related to, for example, accuracy, turnaround time, uptime, cost savings, or other factors that align with your goals for implementing the system. Also, look for safety concerns, such as hallucinations, and gauge user satisfaction to identify whether the tool is meeting user’s expectations or needs. ECRI concluded the program by stressing the importance of maintaining a record of adverse events and near misses. You can’t fix a problem if you don’t know it exists, which is why event reporting is so critical to safe patient care. However, current event reporting systems may not be well suited to capturing problems associated with AI technologies. For instance, users may not recognize when or if AI functionality has contributed to an event. ECRI encourages more research into this area. To view the full webcast, visit: https://ly.ecri.org/LabWebcast2025-AI-Risks. April 2025 | TechNation 33

INDUSTRY UPDATES

AAMI UPDATE

AAMI Releases Hospital Equipment Management Standard edical device management is essential for hospitals and medical device servicing organizations alike. Now, a new AAMI standard establishes clear guidance for the stakeholders involved with medical equipment management programs.

ANSI/AAMI EQ56:2024: Standard for a Medical Equipment Management Program is a new standard from the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) that establishes minimum requirements for a medical equipment management program seeking to ensure safety and operational efficiency. EQ56 was previously classified as an AAMI recommended practice. The voluntary, consensus-based document applies to healthcare delivery organizations (HDOs) including hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities. It also applies to device manufacturers and independent service providers. EQ56 addresses how each stakeholder should manage medical equipment and support optimal patient outcomes. EQ56 establishes requirements related to staffing, stakeholder management, and institutional policies, including: • Hospital Leadership: Leadership shall set policies, allocate resources, and communicate as needed with service providers. • Relationship Management: Service providers shall identify stakeholders like HDO executives and suppliers and meet established expectations. • Resources: Service providers must maintain a staff that meets expectations for inspections, repair, and support. The standard also addresses operational policies and sets clear requirements for: • Inventory Management: Shall include evaluation, inspection, and record-keeping processes. • Medical Equipment Safety: HDOs shall consider training, 34 TechNation | April 2025

recall management, inspections, and planned maintenance. • Repair Programs: Shall include written procedures to define service provider activities and necessary documentation. • Service Continuity and Availability: Service providers shall create a service continuity plan to deal with disruptions. • Change Management: Service providers shall have plans for recalls, software changes, and other events. • Quality Management: Service providers shall define their methods for maintaining quality of service. AAMI EQ56 also includes information on computerized maintenance management systems, benchmarking, capacity management, program budgeting, and more in its annexes. Ultimately, the standard will ensure that medical facilities, third-party service organizations, and original equipment managers (OEMs) can improve their existing technology management program or start one from scratch. The document was produced by AAMI’s HTM Program Management Working Group, composed of regulatory experts, HTM professionals, and medical device manufacturers. During the production of EQ56, the group was cochaired by Britt Berek, Quality and Compliance Program Development at JLL Healthcare, and Dennis Carr, Senior Program Manager at STERIS. According to Carr, the committee was focused on providing “the guidance to an HTM [professional] for developing their maintenance program within their facility and giving them the foundation.” AAMI EQ56 “really touches on most of the content you would need” for a robust maintenance program. Berek believes the revision process for EQ56 was a success. The document now includes “more concise language and careful consideration of what requirements to include and how to frame them. The intent was to identify the fundamental minimum attributes any service provider would need to address.” EQ56 is available on AAMI ARRAY for AAMI members and can be purchased a la carte by non-members. For more information, visit aami.org.

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How Healthcare Equipment Can Work Better for You Today & Tomorrow

BY NANCY WRIGHT, MBA, LSSBB anaging a team of people doesn’t just require looking at their output. You need to see how they’re feeling, where they’re going, and how they can improve as a person and as a professional. In healthcare, the same goes for managing your equipment. It may be running smoothly today, but is it in the right place? Are you using it to the best of its ability? How can you make the most of it? This proactive, thoughtful approach is called asset management, and it’s critical to your operation. Quite simply, asset management must be prioritized if you want to make your clinical team’s life easier and best serve the needs of your patient population. When Einstein said, “If I had an hour to solve a problem, I’d spend 55 minutes thinking about the problem and five 36 TechNation | April 2025

minutes thinking about solutions,” he emphasized that to solve a problem, you must first truly understand it. With asset management, that means fully comprehending the role equipment plays and the resulting impact that not tending to it will create. Fortunately, long-term or advanced asset management is not an insurmountable task. It truly starts with assessing where you are, deciding where you want to go, and then making a plan for how you’re going to get there. If you’re currently overlooking equipment management or not giving it the attention it deserves, the following steps are an excellent way to get an asset management plan off the ground. START WITH AN EQUIPMENT INVENTORY The first step of any strategic exercise is to assess the current situation. That said, when it comes to assets, you’ll first want to take inventory of the equipment you have. Important considerations include the current age of the device, whether it’s mobile or fixed, and ultimately who is using it and how. Don’t be surprised if you learn some equipment is not being completely leveraged. According to a study in the

National Library of Medicine, 2 out of every 5 pieces of equipment are under-utilized. If the initial step of taking an asset inventory is daunting, consider starting your journey by adding a Real-Time Location System (RTLS) to track your mobile assets. GE HealthCare’s solution Encompass is cost-effective and cloud-deployed. You can use it to track and manage medical equipment to minimize theft and the time spent searching for equipment when it’s needed. Sure, you’ll need to spend time deploying the solution, but once launched, it will simplify asset inventory and management in the future. Once you’ve accounted for all of your assets, you’re ready to move on to the next step. Your equipment inventory will serve as the foundation for determining what you’re going to need going forward to best serve your patients. GET A DETAILED PICTURE OF YOUR PATIENTS To determine which assets will best serve your patients, you have to have a clear picture of the people who will be using your facility. For example, if your patient population is older, you may need more cardiology or radiology equipment. If your population is younger, you may need more ultrasound equipment or equipment that supports labor and delivery. The best way to hone in on your audience is to look at the per capita patient population data and pull out the key takeaways. Age, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status are all key factors that can affect the type of care you’ll need to provide. Something else worth considering is how to be adaptable and versatile with your care. According to a 2024 investigation by the Journal of the American Medical Association, “By most measures, hospital inpatients have become more complex over time, including increased cases of multimorbidity and increased risk of unplanned readmission.” That means more patients admitted to your hospital will most likely need treatment for more than just one condition. Another thing to assess regarding the patient population is where they are going and how they are evolving. To address this, dig into data that can reveal who is moving into the area and who is moving out. This can give you clues about the care you’ll need to deliver today and the care you’ll be delivering in the future. SMART-FITTING YOUR FACILITY Armed with your equipment inventory and your patient data, you’re ready to consider what you’ll need to create the ideal workflow. For example, what equipment do you need the most for specific procedures? Another workflow consideration pertains to logistics. Ask yourself if you’re best served with mobile or fixed equipment. It makes sense that 75% of equipment in hospitals is mobile. With mobile equipment, you can move equipment where it’s needed and when it’s needed, which can help maximize its utility.

Ultimately, the question that’s the most important to address is, what can you change or upgrade to make the biggest difference? Over time, asset inventories can grow to include devices that are rarely used or unsuitable for current applications. Hanging on to these devices typically isn’t in your best interest as they’re occupying space and money that could be allocated to more useful things. We call this apex of medical device planning, community care needs, and upskilling your care teams, “smart fitting.” Your goal is to right-size or smart-fit your asset inventory to accommodate patient demand, empower your clinicians, and minimize equipment downtime. A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PLEASANT AND STRESSFUL If you’re still on the fence about the importance of proactive equipment management, consider this: If you’re not actively addressing equipment needs or taking into account equipment life cycles, you’re asking for random fire drills on any given day. Imagine your MR scanner going down on a day packed with appointments. This can cause unnecessary stress for staff and an unpleasant experience for patients. And the effects don’t stop there. Think of the financial component. Ignoring asset management and inviting unplanned downtime can seriously affect your bottom line. Above all else, consider how planning today can positively affect your future. Proactively planning for the evolution of your equipment will help you serve your patients better and more efficiently for years to come. You don’t need to be a tech expert or a service engineer to take on advanced asset management. Healthcare partners will work with you to walk through each part of the process. And whether you need a few insights or significant guidance, it makes no difference. Your asset management journey is unique to you and can be molded to fit your healthcare system and your level of expertise. NEXT STEPS If you feel you have the resources to embark on the journey of advanced asset management, now is the time to start. Armed with your current equipment inventory, your insights regarding your current and future patient population, and what your ideal workflow looks like, you’ll be able to make asset decisions that will support your current and long-term goals. If you’d like some help getting started, simply contact your healthcare equipment partner. They’ll be excited to work with you to help build an advanced asset management program that right-sizes your equipment now and into the future. Nancy Wright, MBA, LSSBB, is a senior director of Medical Technology Advanced Services at GE HealthCare.

April 2025 | TechNation 37

THE BENCH

LIVE DEMO: APRIL 30 at 2PM ET

Registration on WebinarWednesday.live. Eligible for 1 CE credit from the ACI.

TOOLS OF THE TRADE Downtime Trace Mobile App

Our vision is to revolutionize commerce between customers and service providers by transforming it from a slow, expensive, and antiquated phone-call system to a fast, competitive, and technologically advanced experience. WHAT IS IT? HOW DOES IT WORK? Riding the coattails of the most popular ride share apps, food delivery apps, and TaskRabbit, Downtime Trace is a mobile app for medical equipment maintenance and repairs. From their mobile phones, hospitals and imaging centers experience the following while the app tracks and stores important data for easy future access to their service information:

1. Blast a service need 2. Choose a bid based on pricing, response time, and a service provider’s rating/reviews All service providers have been vetted as competent to service the specific make/model of the equipment, are properly insured, and motivated to perform because of the ratings/reviews system 3. Receive in-app communication 4. Approve final work and pay customers Pay through the app and Downtime Trace pays service providers within 3-5 days of the customer’s approval of a job. 5. Give the service provider a rating and review For more information, visit downtimetrace.com.

38 TechNation | April 2025

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lifesparkmed.com SMARTTANK DEMO WOWS WEBINAR WEDNESDAY The recent webinar “Life Spark Medical’s SmartTank – Facilitating and Improving CO2/Gas Module Testing” sponsored by Life Spark Medical featured a live demo of the SmartTank. Life Spark Medical co-founder Brent Weight was the presenter. The presentation is eligible for 1 CE credit from the ACI. Weight demonstrated how the SmartTank makes testing faster, easier, and more efficient while conserving gas. The SmartTank is an all-in-one testing solution for CO2 gas modules and anesthesia monitors, including models like GE E Modules (E-sCO/E-sCAiOV), Philips 3015A/B, Philips 1026A, LoFlow, Capnostat, Zoll, Draeger, and many others. It automates the testing process, delivering more accurate results in less time, using less gas – all backed by detailed test reports. He showed how its intuitive interface features preloaded test sequences that guide operators step-by-step through the testing process. It eliminates the need for separate gas regulators, flow meters, syringes, tubes, pressure gauges, barometers, and even service manuals – all the necessary hardware is built right in. It can even assist with patient monitor testing, including NIBP. The webinar was popular with 76 registrations and 44 in attendance for the live presentation. A recording of the session is available for on-demand viewing and 1 CE credit at WebinarWednesday.live. Troy Meeks, a biomed tech with Mary Greeley Medical Center in Iowa, was the big winner scoring a Swiss Force Meister Multi-Tool for correctly answering the trivia question. Attendees were asked, “What was your single biggest takeaway from today’s product demo?” “The importance of doing thorough CO2 module testing,” said Christina Bottomley, Tech manager BMET II, InterMed. “Ease of use, efficiency of tests, and great simple explanation of CO measurement importance in respiration determination and overall capnography,” shared Larry Thompson, BMET III, UAB-The Kirklin Clinic. “Great knowledge of the product and a beneficial product it is,” said Donald Armstrong, Tech Training Manager, Renovo Solutions Training. “I appreciated the explanation of the waveforms for CO2. Understanding what is normal versus what is not can be helpful during troubleshooting,” said Joshua Abner, BMET II, Cape Fear Valley Health System. 40 TechNation | April 2025

partssource.com WEBINAR EXPLORES HTM SOLUTIONS TO TRANSFORM MISSION-CRITICAL OPERATIONS & IMPROVE CLINICAL AVAILABILITY The latest installment of Webinar Wednesday, titled “HTM Solutions to Transform Mission-Critical Operations and Improve Clinical Availability,” was a highly informative session sponsored by PartsSource. This engaging webinar, presented by Mike Wade, vice president of sales at PartsSource, focused on the critical challenges faced by healthcare technology management (HTM) professionals and explored innovative solutions to maximize equipment uptime, optimize procurement processes and enhance HTM training. The webinar was eligible for 1 CE credit from the ACI, providing an added benefit for attendees seeking professional development. Wade highlighted the growing need for mission-critical equipment to remain operational at all times to support exceptional patient care. Attendees learned about PartsSource’s approach to addressing procurement inefficiencies and ensuring reliable service for healthcare facilities. Attendees gathered additional insights during an informative question-and-answer session. They also shared their reasons for reading TechNation magazine. “The latest HTM news, vendor information, and trends.” – Casey Celver, biomed, Legacy Emanuel. “Keeping up with the field and colleagues.” – Donald Armstrong, technical training manager, Renovo. “Great articles and able to keep up with industry news.” – Janet Pavenyouma, biomed tech, SRPMIC River People Health Center. Larry Riley, biomedical systems analyst at First Health of the Carolinas, was the lucky winner of the Swiss Force Meister Multi-Tool giveaway. For those who missed the live session, the webinar recording is available at WebinarWednesday.live. This session underscored the importance of proactive HTM strategies and highlighted how PartsSource is helping to improve clinical availability. Stay tuned for more insightful webinars to stay ahead in the HTM field!

HTM LEADERS SHARES CAREER ADVICE “How To Increase Your Value and Make More Money in the HTM Profession” was a popular panel discussion webinar featured in TechNation’s Webinar Wednesday series. MD Publishing Founder and President John Krieg hosted the webinar eligible for 1 CE credit. He was joined by HTM leaders Leticia Reynolds, Clinical Engineering Operations Manager, UCHealth Parkview Medical Center; Nadia ElKaissi, CHTM, Biomedical Engineer, Healthcare Technology Management, VA Central Office; Carol Davis-Smith, MS, CCE, FACCE, AAMIF, Program Director, UCONN BME Clinical Engineering Internship Program and President of Carol Davis-Smith & Associates LLC; Douglas Redwine, Regional Director of Biomedical Engineering, Piedmont Healthcare; Thomas Wang, General Manager, USOC Medical; and D’Juan James, Senior Director, Clinical Engineering & Medical Equipment Processing, Kaleida Health. The panel addressed: • How to position yourself for promotions • Identifying the highest-paying fields in HTM • Demonstrating value to your employer • Continuing education that delivers ROI • Non-technical skills that make a difference • Effective strategies for asking for promotions and raises • Enhancing your professional exposure beyond your workload The panel also fielded questions from approximately 100 attendees. “Appreciated the insight from the discussion amongst the presenters. It was good to hear their views on focus areas for job opportunities within and around the HTM career field, such as AI, IoMD (Internet of Medical Devices) as well as other specialty areas. Appreciate all that MD Publishing does with organizing and promoting these webinars for our community,” Centra Health Director of Clinical Engineering Jeremy Rusher said. A recording of the webinar is available for on-demand viewing at WebinarWednesday.live. Attendees were asked, “What does Webinar Wednesday provide the industry?” “Webinar Wednesday allows the advancement of knowledge and brings people together in the HTM profession,” said Melissa Jumbo, administrative assistant, Fort Defiance Indian Hospital Board Inc. “Information to use in your career, profession and work environment,” said Sam Wright, site manager, Trimedx. “These webinars provide unique insights into our industry and many different ways to advance our experience as well as our careers,” Larry Hamilton, biomedical services manager, Venture Medical. “Webinar Wednesday provides valuable information on the biomedical industry. It brings subject matter experts to BMETs all across the nation. With this information, we are all able to learn more and make decisions for our career and industry,” said Isaiah Ledesma, faculty, Biomedical Engineering Technology, St. Philip’s College.

All webinars, podcast, and product demos are eligible for 1 CE credit from the ACI.

rigelmedical.com EXPERT DEMOS RIGEL SAFETEST 60+ FOR BIOMEDS The Rigel SafeTest 60+ is a medical safety analyzer designed for high-volume testing of medical and laboratory equipment. It ensures compliance with NFPA 99 standards by performing essential applied parts tests, including patient current leakage and insulation measurements, to guarantee electrical safety. A key enhancement in the SafeTest 60+ is the introduction of dynamic pass/fail thresholds during measurement. This feature streamlines the testing process by automatically providing clear, real-time results, and reducing the risk of errors. Built for clinical engineering teams, hospitals, and service organizations, the SafeTest 60+ is powerful and user-friendly. Its rugged design and advanced functionality make it ideal for maintaining the safety and reliability of critical equipment. With its focus on precision, efficiency, and ease of use, the SafeTest 60+ is an indispensable tool for HTM professionals. Rigel Medical’s North America Product Manager Lewis Lennard demonstrated the SafeTest 60+ in the recent Webinar Wednesday Tools of the Trade Live Demo sponsored by Rigel Medical. The presentation is eligible for 1 CE credit from the ACI and a recording of the webinar is available for on-demand viewing at WebinarWednesday.live. After his demo, Lennard answered questions from attendees including: • What are the key differences between the SafeTest 60+ and other electrical safety analyzers on the market? • How does the SafeTest 60+ help with NFPA 99 compliance? • Does the pass/fail feature impact workflow efficiency in a healthcare setting? • What types of medical devices are best suited for testing with the SafeTest 60+? The webinar drew almost 40 attendees for the live presentation and Todd Schmechel with Argo Biomedical Solutions in Texas won a Swiss Force Meister Multi-Tool. Attendees were asked, “What was your single biggest takeaway from today’s product demo?” “Portable and affordable,” Medical Center of South Texas BMET III Shane Thibodeaux said about the Rigel SafeTest 60+. Corewell Health South Diagnostic Imaging Service Engineer Alan Velez said he learned about the device’s “ease of use” during the webinar.

THE BENCH

LIVE DEMO:

APRIL 16 at 2PM ET

Registration on WebinarWednesday.live. Eligible for 1 CE credit from the ACI.

TOOLS OF THE TRADE Cognosos Asset Management

Room-level accuracy, combined with AI-powered location engines, makes it easier than ever for biomed and central sterile teams to optimize the management of mobile medical equipment. Clean and soiled rooms self-monitor and self-report asset levels, automatically generating replenishment notifications and picklists. This simplifies asset management, saving time and ensuring teams focus on areas that require immediate replenishment. Eliminate time wasted searching for assets to complete the replenishment process by leveraging high-confidence and accurate location 42 TechNation | April 2025

information. An easy-to-read dashboard presents a summary of asset availability and PAR-level metrics. Make smarter, more strategic decisions about your mobile medical equipment with real-time data on asset throughput, bottlenecks, and utilization. This granular visibility allows you to optimize asset utilization and reduce equipment overbuys and rental expenses while strengthening compliance efforts. For more information, visit cognosos.com.

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Breathe Fresh Life into Your HTM Program Renew. Restore. Revive. When it’s time to renew contracts or revitalize your biomedical and clinical engineering strategy, look to Renovo Solutions to help you take a fresh approach. From full-service programs, to hybrid solutions, or short or long term staffing options, we can tailor our services to restore efficiency, reduce costs and keep your facility running smoothly. Experience peace of mind with smarter, cost-saving strategies and a fresh approach to HTM with Renovo Solutions.

CAPITAL PLANNING. ASSET MANAGEMENT. CYBERSECURITY.

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Welcome to GMED ONE, where we have been setting the gold standard in biomedical repair services since 2011. As a leader in the field, we pride ourselves on our reputation for excellence, trust, and unparalleled service. Our mission is to provide fast, reliable repairs on a wide range of medical equipment, ensuring that healthcare professionals can continue to deliver the highest quality care to their patients.

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MedWrench is an online resource for medical equipment professionals (biomeds, HTMs, imaging professionals, etc...) to engage with their peers about medical equipment repairs, source parts and locate a service company. The following are examples of how the MedWrench community members help each other in the website’s forums.

SUNTECH OSCAR 2 M250 MONITOR Q: I replaced the Real Time Clock battery on a SunTech Oscar 2 M250 Monitor and when I turned the device on the “rtc” warning appears. The monitor appears locked and the blood pressure readings programming does not run. When I remove the main batteries, the programmed time is lost and the “rtc” warning appears again. Does anyone know the procedure to resolve this issue? Thanks. A: The first thing I would do is pull the new coin battery out and measure the voltage. Maybe it’s a dud, it’s seated all the way or the a little plastic sheet is still stuck to the bottom of the battery? I could see how a study monitor like this wouldn’t want to run without a good clock battery. Unfortunately the user manual doesn’t mention this and I don’t see a service manual anywhere. Calling SunTech would be my next move.

GE MAC 2000 Q: I just purchased a used GE MAC 2000 from a hospital. It seems they reset it to factory settings, and now I cannot find a way to turn on the 12 lead interpretation. I see there is a spot to put in a 12 space code, however I cannot find any reference to one in the manual that came with it. Does anyone know how to turn on the interpretation, or if required, have access to a code if needed? A: You can try contacting GE to see if they can provide you the code using the serial number. If not, try your local GE sales rep. Otherwise, you’ll have to purchase the code for it. A: If it has a printer, look under the paper for the silver options sticker. Sticker should be about 3x3”, and has the options codes and serial number.

MEDELEC/TECA - TD-50 Q: I replaced the Real Time Clock battery on a SunTech Oscar 2 M250 Monitor and when I turned the device on the “rtc” warning appears. The monitor appears locked and the blood pressure readings programming does not run. When I remove the main batteries, the programmed time is lost and the “rtc” warning appears again. Does anyone know the procedure to resolve this issue? Thanks. A: The TECA Synergy EMG systems, including the TD-50, rely on proprietary software for hardware communication. If your system isn’t connecting to the hardware, try the following steps first: Troubleshooting Steps: 1. Check Physical Connections: Ensure all cables, including USB/serial, are securely connected. 2. Verify Device Manager (Windows): Look under Device Manager to confirm that the system recognizes the hardware. If there’s a yellow warning icon, the driver may be missing or corrupted. 3. Restart & Power Cycle: Fully shut down the system, unplug for a few minutes, then reboot. 4. Reinstall Drivers: If the device isn’t recognized, reinstall the drivers. These may be included with the software. 5. Check Software Settings: Ensure the software is configured to detect the correct COM port or USB connection. 6. Try a Different PC (if possible): If available, test the system on another PC to rule out software/hardware failure. Where to Find Software? Since TECA (Medelec/Viasys) was acquired by Natus, they may still have legacy software support. Try the following: • Contact Natus Medical Support: They may provide updated drivers or a replacement software package. • Check with Local Distributors: Some third-party medical equipment resellers may have installation files. • Old System Backup: If you have an older PC that worked with this device, check for install files in or similar directories. For more FREE forum information, visit medwrench.com/forums. April 2025 | TechNation 45

THE BENCH

LIVE DEMO: Watch on-demand on WebinarWednesday.live.

Eligible for 1 CE credit from the ACI.

TOOLS OF THE TRADE LifeSpark Medical SmartTank

The SmartTank makes testing faster, easier, and more efficient while conserving gas. The SmartTank is an all-in-one testing solution for CO2 gas modules and anesthesia monitors, including models like GE E Modules (E-sCO/E-sCAiOV), Philips 3015A/B, Philips 1026A, LoFlow, Capnostat, Zoll, Draeger, and many others. It automates the testing process, delivering more accurate results in less time, using less gas – all backed by detailed test reports. With its intuitive interface, the SmartTank features 46 TechNation | April 2025

preloaded test sequences that guide operators step-bystep through the testing process. It eliminates the need for separate gas regulators, flow meters, syringes, tubes, pressure gauges, barometers, and even service manuals – all the necessary hardware is built right in. It can even assist with patient monitor testing, including NIBP. Experience the SmartTank in action! For more information, visit smarttanktester.com.

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ROUNDTABLE

ISO & OEM Service Options hen it comes to servicing medical devices, healthcare providers often must choose between Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) service options and independent third-party service organizations. Each approach offers distinct advantages and challenges, from cost and flexibility to regulatory compliance and parts availability. In this roundtable discussion, industry experts share their insights on the key differences between these service models, addressing common misconceptions and exploring how third-party providers ensure quality and reliability comparable to OEMs. Through this Q&A, TechNation aims to provide a comprehensive look at the evolving landscape of medical device servicing and the factors influencing provider decisions. Participants in the roundtable article are: • MW Imaging Business Development Executive Jessica Curtiss • Innovatus Imaging Director of Commercial Operations Ted Lucidi, CBET 48 TechNation | April 2025

• Renew Biomedical Assistant Biomed Manager JL Morgan, CBET • Soma Tech Intl Director of Operations Pramod Narkhede • Renovo Solutions Director of HTM & QA Ernie Oates NOTE: GE HealthCare and Siemens Healthineers were invited to participate but did not submit answers. Q: WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE ARE THE PRIMARY DIFFERENCES BETWEEN SERVICES PROVIDED BY OEMS AND INDEPENDENT THIRD-PARTY SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS? CURTISS: The primary difference between OEM and independent third-party service organizations like MW Imaging is that independent third-party providers typically offer a broader range of expertise, servicing multiple brands and product types. This diversity enables them to be more adaptable and knowledgeable about a wider array of equipment, compared to OEM service organizations, which often focus on a single brand or product line. LUCIDI: A few items that OEMs provide and areas in which they excel are consistency, quality, and accountability. Unfortunately, those provisions translate into very high costs, lack of flexibility, and limited-service options. The entire independent

service industry exists due to gaps created by the constraints of, and costs associated with, utilizing OEMs. If performed correctly, ISOs can provide services on-par with an OEM. In many instances, ISOs may provide services, greatly enhanced or in compliment, to that of an OEM. The divisions at Innovatus Imaging fill gaps that do not exist in the OEM realm. OEMs do not provide a repair service for ultrasound probes or MRI coils. Healthcare organizations are limited to a replacement model from most OEMs. What if, you as a consumer, had to replace your vehicle with the OEM dealer for a minor service issue? MORGAN: OEMs often have longer turnaround times for repairs and can only service their equipment. In contrast, third-party service organizations offer faster response times and support a wide range of equipment from multiple OEMs. This flexibility simplifies maintenance and streamlines service management for end users, reducing downtime and providing a more efficient, cost-effective solution. NARKHEDE: Both OEMs and independent third-party service providers share the same goal – ensuring that medical equipment is repaired and fully operational as quickly and efficiently as possible. However, hospitals, surgical centers, and other medical facilities are not only looking for speed and efficiency; they also need cost-effective solutions. This is where third-party service providers offer an advantage. By focusing on troubleshooting and repairing at the component level whenever possible, third-party providers help reduce repair costs while also minimizing downtime. OEM service options often involve replacing entire modules or assemblies, which can lead to higher expenses. A third-party approach not only helps control costs but also ensures that critical equipment is back in service as soon as possible. OATES: The primary reasons many healthcare delivery organizations choose services provided by an ISO over an OEM are cost-effectiveness, customized service offerings tailored to a facility’s unique needs, and greater flexibility in sourcing repair parts. ISOs can procure parts from multiple sources – OEM-direct, OEM-equivalent, or refurbished – allowing for cost savings without sacrificing quality. This flexibility, combined with a service model that prioritizes responsiveness and adaptability, enables ISOs to better align with the operational and financial goals of healthcare delivery organizations.

Q: HOW DO INDEPENDENT THIRD-PARTY SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS ENSURE THE SAME LEVEL OF QUALITY AND RELIABILITY AS OEM SERVICES? CURTISS: To ensure your supplier is adhering to standards, its crucial to verify their company has obtained an ISO 13485:2016 certification. MW Imaging has had this certification for a number of years and maintains a quality failure rate of less than 2% on parts and service. Third-party service organizations often comply with industry standards and regulations, ensuring their practices meet or exceed the benchmarks set by OEMs. This includes adhering to best practices for installation, repairs, and maintenance, while also ensuring compliance with safety and operational standards. As a result, these organizations can provide high-quality service while offering flexibility across a variety of brands and equipment types. LUCIDI: Any independent service organization that claims to ensure, meet, or exceed OEM specifications, performance standards, and/or quality is telling an outright lie. No one, but the OEM, knows the standards to which they are benchmarked, nor do OEMs release detailed specifications for their devices. Innovatus engineers are able to measure all sorts of parameters with some very sophisticated test equipment. The measurements are used to help define OEM-intended design and develop internal specifications. We can then compare the outputs of our processes to those measured and define acceptance criteria. In addition, Innovatus utilizes personnel, processes, and standards employed in our FDA-registered design and manufacturing facility to inform and help define our repair processes. To ensure clients that Innovatus is committed to continuous quality improvement and operate similarly to an OEM, we utilize a very robust ISO13485:2016 certified quality management system. MORGAN: The standard for ReNew Biomedical is for our technicians to follow OEM service manuals to ensure repairs meet OEM standards. ReNew technicians also use calibrated test equipment and follow the same testing procedures and documentation as released by the OEM to test to the same standards. Additionally, many OEMs provide service training for third-party providers, equipping them with the necessary knowledge and skills to maintain and repair equipment at the same level of quality as the OEM. NARKHEDE: Independent third-party service providers follow the same performance inspection protocols outlined in OEM service manuals to ensure equipment meets manufacturer standards. Many technicians and engineers also receive training

April 2025 | TechNation 49

ROUNDTABLE

Jessica Curtiss MW Imaging

Ted Lucidi Innovatus Imaging

JL Morgan Renew Biomedical

directly from OEM programs, equipping them with the same technical knowledge and expertise. Additionally, third-party providers often go beyond OEM processes by implementing cost-effective repairs at the component level while maintaining strict quality control measures. OATES: Independent third-party organizations can ensure the same level of quality and reliability by adhering to internationally recognized quality standards such as ISO 9001 and ISO 13485. Additionally, ISOs integrate key performance indicators into service agreements, often matching or exceeding OEM benchmarks, and will include financial penalties if KPIs are not met. Common KPIs include response times, first-time fix rates, and uptime percentages, which are continuously monitored to improve service delivery. Q: WHAT ADVANTAGES DO THIRD-PARTY SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS HAVE OVER OEM SERVICES IN TERMS OF COST-EFFECTIVENESS AND FLEXIBILITY? CURTISS: Third-party service organizations typically offer more affordable rates than the OEM. This is comprised of lower labor costs, competitive pricing, and the use of cost-effective replacement parts. Additionally, they provide increased savings by offering flexible, customized support with quicker response times. Our ability to service multiple brands, work outside of warranty terms, offer remote support, and operate with fewer bureaucratic restrictions gives us an unmatched level of flexibility and coverage. LUCIDI: Typically, ISOs are much more flexible and cost-effective than OEMs due to their smaller size and specialized focus. OEMs have massive overhead 50 TechNation | April 2025

Pramod Narkhede Soma Tech Intl

Ernie Oates Renovo Solutions

to absorb, which affects their ability to compete cost-effectively, against most ISOs. The pure size, regulatory requirements, and operational constraints force OEMs to operate with much less flexibility. ISOs have been, and are still currently, permitted the freedom to define the manners in which they provide service. An OEM may be limited to replacing a large and expensive FRU (Field Replaceable Unit), while and ISO may be able to source select components within the FRU and provide an equivalent, but more cost effective, solution. MORGAN: Third-party organizations can significantly reduce service costs by using aftermarket and refurbished parts. In contrast, OEMs are limited to using only their own manufactured parts, often leading to higher expenses. The usage of refurbished parts allows third-party providers to deliver service beyond the point when an OEM declares a device is end-of-life. NARKHEDE: Third-party service providers offer significant cost savings through lower labor rates and a more repair-focused approach. Instead of automatically replacing entire modules or boards, they troubleshoot and repair at the component level whenever possible, reducing parts costs. Additionally, third-party providers offer greater flexibility with service contracts, response times, and multi-vendor support, ensuring healthcare facilities receive tailored solutions that fit their needs and budgets. OATES: ISOs provide significant advantages in cost-effectiveness and flexibility. Third-party service organizations can maintain and repair equipment from multiple manufacturers, enabling HDOs to make cost-driven purchasing decisions rather than being

locked into a single vendor. By leveraging multivendor servicing, strategic part sourcing, and tailored maintenance plans, ISOs help facilities extend useful life of equipment and reduce total cost of ownership while maintaining high-quality patient care. Q: ARE THERE ANY REGULATORY OR COMPLIANCE CHALLENGES THAT INDEPENDENT THIRD-PARTY ORGANIZATIONS FACE COMPARED TO OEMS WHEN SERVICING MEDICAL DEVICES? CURTISS: OEMs have dedicated departments and legal counsel to ensure they stay up-to-date with regulatory requirements and compliance. In contrast, third-party service organizations focus on maintaining certifications (e.g., ISO 13485:2016), ensuring proper documentation, and fostering strong supplier relationships to ensure our parts meet or exceed OEM specifications while meeting safety and compliance standards. LUCIDI: Currently, ISOs are much less, if not minimally, constrained when compared to OEMs with respect to regulatory requirements and compliance. It can be quite alarming to realize that, from a regulatory perspective, anyone can service any medical device, using any component or any process they deem appropriate. One item that is noteworthy, and rather refreshing, is the increasing number of independent organizations seeking to become ISO-13485:2016 certified. Organizations operating within an ISO-certified QMS, based on the specific scope of that certification, have the potential to function similarly to OEM organizations with respect to monitoring, risk assessment, accountability, and continuous quality improvement. MORGAN: Since the FDA does not currently regulate servicing activities, ReNew has achieved and sustained ISO 13485 certification to ensure compliance with industry-best practices. This standard focuses on quality management for medical devices, emphasizing regulatory requirements, risk management, and consistent service quality, helping third-party organizations maintain high standards and reliability in their operations. Beginning in 2026, the FDA is also aligning their Quality Management System Regulation with the ISO 13485 standard, so the expectations of ISO 13485 certification will mirror the expectations that the FDA places on OEMs for the maintenance, repair, and servicing of their own devices. It’s important for device users to research their service providers, and they should expect that proficient service providers will also maintain ISO 13485 certification. NARKHEDE: One of the main challenges independent third-party service providers face is ensuring that

repairs are performed by fully trained and certified technicians for each specific product. To address this, reputable third-party providers invest in ongoing training and certification programs to maintain high service standards. Another challenge is the availability of spare parts, but larger third-party organizations mitigate this by maintaining extensive parts inventories, ensuring quick turnaround times and minimizing equipment downtime. OATES: As long as an ISO operates within the boundaries of servicing – without crossing into remanufacturing, as outlined in the FDA’s Remanufacturing of Medical Devices guidance document – there are no additional regulatory or compliance challenges. One common hurdle ISOs may encounter is restricted access to proprietary parts. However, by fostering strong partnerships with OEMs, healthcare delivery organizations and utilizing alternative sourcing strategies – such as leveraging secondary markets or refurbished components – these challenges can be effectively managed while maintaining both compliance and patient safety. Q: WHAT IMPACT DO PARTS AVAILABILITY AND SOURCING HAVE ON THIRD-PARTY SERVICE OFFERINGS VERSUS OEM SERVICES? CURTISS: While third-party service organizations benefit from greater flexibility in sourcing parts, they may face challenges in accessing high-quality or OEM-approved components. However, third-party service organizations often provide more costeffective services by refurbishing replacement parts. In contrast, OEM services have direct access to genuine parts, but typically come at a higher cost with longer lead times. LUCIDI: OEMs are limited to providing parts and services as specified in their quality management system. Their service reps must follow very welldocumented procedures and must capture changes to each device serviced. All parts and components undergo very well-defined verification and validation procedures before being released to inventory or the field. Currently, ISOs are not encumbered by these, and other, requirements. ISOs, currently, also have the freedom to source replacement parts from anyone/anywhere following no documented process and do not have to subscribe to any standard of quality. Independent providers, operating within an ISO-13485:2016 certified QMS, are the exception. Innovatus only procures components, materials, replacement products, etc. from a list of qualified suppliers. Our suppliers are routinely evaluated and there are well-defined processes to qualify both, the suppliers and items they provide.

April 2025 | TechNation 51

ROUNDTABLE MORGAN: In most cases, ReNew seeks to purchase parts directly from the OEM. Alternatively, a third-party service organization can source aftermarket or refurbished parts to prevent delays in repairs or service. This flexibility allows for faster turnaround times, ensuring equipment remains operational without waiting for OEM-supplied components, which may have longer lead times. ReNew maintains the responsibility for ensuring that any third-party or refurbished parts do not impact the performance of the device. NARKHEDE: Parts availability plays a crucial role in service efficiency, but established third-party providers mitigate this challenge by maintaining a robust inventory of spare parts and accessories. Unlike OEMs, who may have longer lead times or restricted parts access, third-party service organizations leverage multiple sourcing channels to ensure quicker repairs and minimize equipment downtime for healthcare facilities. OATES: Parts availability is a key advantage of ISOs over OEMs. While OEMs typically require original, brand-specific parts (often at premium prices) ISOs have access to a wider supplier network, including OEMdirect, third-party, and refurbished parts. This flexibility allows ISOs to reduce maintenance costs without compromising quality. While patient safety and supplier quality remain at the forefront of decision-making, the ability to source from multiple suppliers gives ISOs a distinct advantage in ensuring timely repairs and cost-effective maintenance. Particularly when looking to control expenses, access to high-quality refurbished parts allows ISOs to offer cost savings that may not be an option for OEM service models. Q: ARE THERE ANY MISCONCEPTIONS THAT YOU BELIEVE NEED TO BE ADDRESSED ABOUT THE VALUE OF THIRD-PARTY SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS COMPARED TO OEM SERVICE PROVIDERS? CURTISS: A common misconception is that OEM services are always superior; however, third-party services often offer comparable – if not better – quality, cost-effective solutions, and flexibility, while still meeting regulatory standards. The choice between third-party and OEM services should be based on specific factors such as service needs, budget, and response time, rather than assuming third-party providers are lower in quality or reliability. It is important to validate your suppliers’ certifications, and make sure you are provided with an up-to-date copy of their ISO certification. LUCIDI: Independent service organizations play a vital role in supporting healthcare technology

52 TechNation | April 2025

management. As in any industry, there is a small segment whose activities cast a shadow on the industry as a whole. Innovatus recommends that HTM departments develop a supplier, or vendor, scorecard, similar to vendor qualifications in the ISO-13485 quality standard. Although price is always a concern, it should never be the key driver in any decision. Metrics such as warranty period, valid warranty rate, response time, repair-vs-replacement rate, and the ability to restore product life cycle all contribute to the overall long-term cost. If the independent service organizations chosen by your HTM department operates within the ISO-13485:2016 QMS standard and limit their activities to their certified scope, you should feel a strong level of confidence when choosing it over the OEM. MORGAN: Many assume OEMs provide better service than third-party service organizations, but third-party organizations like ReNew employ highly trained experts, sometimes former OEM technicians. Another misconception is that third-party organizations use inferior parts, yet many offer high-quality, certified, or even OEM components. Third-party organizations can also provide faster response times, flexible scheduling, and vendoragnostic expertise. While cost savings are a benefit, ReNew offers more than just affordability – it delivers customized solutions, extended support for legacy equipment, and, in some cases, more flexible service options than OEMs. NARKHEDE: A common misconception is that third-party service providers do not follow OEM service protocols or lack proper training. In reality, reputable third-party organizations employ technicians and engineers who are either OEMtrained or have undergone specialized training on the products they service. Additionally, third-party providers often take a more in-depth approach to repairs, focusing on component-level fixes rather than full module replacements, ultimately reducing costs while maintaining high-quality service. OATES: A common misconception is that third-party service organizations provide lower quality service than OEMs. Many ISOs employ highly trained technicians, many of which come from OEMs, with expertise equivalent to or greater than OEM service personnel. ISOs like Renovo are equipped with the tools, training, and expertise that can be just as advanced as those of OEM service technicians.

COVER STORY

ECRI Top 10:

TECHNOLOGY HAZARDS IN 2025

54 TechNation | April 2025

he vision the patient has of the healthcare environment is one of recovery and healing. Whether in the clinical setting, or at home under supervision, the assumption is that entering a place that is replete with clinicians, medical devices, monitors and medicine is a safe space – a place for healing.

to take the information, formulate action steps and remedy those hazards. How does ECRI evaluate and what does it consider for its annual hazards list? “Our annual Health Technology Hazards report is intended to be a tool that others can use to join in ECRI’s effort to reduce preventable harm in all healthcare settings across the globe. Since the focus is on preventing future harm, we developed a topic-selection process that is predictive, not retrospective,” explains Rob Schluth, principal project engineer I, device safety with ECRI. Schluth says that topic selection is not simply a math It would never occur to that patient that the same environment exercise, where they tally the number of reports of incidents might include dangers like possible injury or a serious new that occurred in the past. infection. The existence of these dangers needs to be made “Rather, ECRI’s experts examine safety signals from a range of aware to clinicians, patients, device manufacturers, policymakers sources, then use their technological and clinical judgment to and researchers. identify the technology risks that need attention now to prevent To help assuage risks that have crept into the clinical and home future incidents,” he says. health settings, ECRI has spearheaded the cause of creating a Schluth says that, to be sure, incident reports play a major role. safer healthcare environment. The “Staff consider the thousands of organization has been involved in health-technology-related problem this pursuit for more than 50 years. “The future of healthcare depends reports that we receive through our Every year, ECRI evaluates and Problem Reporting Network and on HTM professionals stepping publishes this important informathrough data that participating tion. As the organization’s website facilities share with our patient beyond their traditional roles to states: “Our Top 10 Health Technolsafety organization, ECRI and the ogy Hazards report is a key resource become strategic partners in Institute for Safe Medication for several reasons. First and forePractices PSO; and they review safety. HTM professionals are most, it consolidates critical informareports in FDA’s MAUDE database tion about the most pressing techuniquely positioned in healthcare and from other sources,” he says. nological risks that could jeopardize But incident reports are only one patient safety. With the integration to contribute to and, at times, lead component. ECRI’s team identifies of advanced technologies – ranging potential topics based on the insights multidisciplinary teams and from artificial intelligence and telethey gain through the unique medicine to sophisticated medical combination of activities they perform partnerships to reduce risks to devices – the potential for hazards every day, like investigating incidents, has grown significantly.” patients, staff, and others.” testing medical devices on-site or in The hazards identified for 2025 ECRI’s lab, observing and assessing - Dustin Telford include AI-enabled health technolhospital workflows and practices, ogies, unmet technology support assessing clinical evidence in the needs for home care patients, vulnerable technology vendors literature, reviewing hospital inventories, and speaking with and cybersecurity threats, substandard or fraudulent medical declinicians, clinical engineers, technology managers, purchasing vices and supplies and fire risk in areas where supplemental oxystaff, health systems administrators, regulators, device manufacgen is in use. turers and distributors. The remaining hazards include dangerously low default alarm Suggested topics are then judged according to criteria limits on anesthesia units, mishandled temporary holds on that includes “severity, frequency, breadth, insidiousness medication orders, infection risks and tripping hazards from and public profile.” poorly managed infusion lines, skin injuries from medical “Any one of these factors could warrant including a topic in the adhesion products and incomplete investigations of infusion report. For example, a hazard that is unlikely to cause severe system incidents. harm, but that happens frequently – impacting many patients The emergence of AI, and its increasing use in healthcare, has and stressing facility resources – may warrant a spot on the list,” introduced new concerns and highlighted several shortcomings Schluth says. in the technology in other utilizations. In addition to the hazards discussed below, ECRI has The increasing role of home health care has also introduced identified fires associated with the delivery of supplemental new concerns. oxygen as a hazard requiring more scrutiny. The organization In response to the hazards identified by ECRI, the best thing has found that more attention is needed when oxygen is used that healthcare systems, hospitals and other providers can do is outside the OR. This includes the home setting. They suggest April 2025 | TechNation 55

COVER STORY healthcare facilities educate staff about the “fire triangle.” The organization suggests to biomeds that “Where possible, annually verify that air-oxygen blenders are accurately delivering the set oxygen concentration.” ECRI has also identified incidents where “inappropriate default alarm limits caused dangerous conditions to go undetected.” To HTM, the recommendation is: “Ensure that all anesthesia unit default alarm limits are set according to hospital and anesthesia department policy.” Another hazard identified is mishandled temporary holds on medication orders. “Failure to hold a medication when indicated, or neglecting to either restart or discontinue a held medication as circumstances require, can lead to patient harm.” When a patient receives an adhesive wound cover or tape to affix an IV line, they assume that there will be no harm resulting from that adhesive product. ECRI has found that some can result in “medical-adhesive-related skin injuries.” The organization provides advice to clinical staff on this issue. Also, when an infusion system incident occurs, ECRI has found that “Organizations that lack the expertise or resources to conduct a thorough investigation of such incidents will be poorly positioned to prevent future, potentially fatal infusion-related medication errors or other incidents.” The organization offers its Incident Management and Investigation (IMI) Plan as a resource for recommendations. SLOW ROLL AI AI can be a revolutionary technology in healthcare, yet it still retains some flaws that limit unreserved use. It still depends on the quality of the data it is fed along with an absence of personal biases. Much like the term “garbage in, garbage out” which originated at IBM during the 1960s, AI depends on good input. There are also times AI strays from accurate information and can be prone to “hallucinations.” “’Garbage in garbage out’ still stands today. Although, in AI it is more about ‘did I use a good training/validation data set?’ AI has spread to different areas of healthcare. Currently there are more than 1,000 AI applications cleared by the FDA. While a lot of those applications are speeding up processes or running in the background – like with image reconstruction AI-based algorithms – some of those are detecting and labeling abnormalities and assisting healthcare professionals in diagnosing patients. Human intervention should always be required in the diagnostic process, with AI used just as an assisting application wherein a clinician provides the final diagnosis,” says Francisco Rodríguez-Campos, MSc., Ph.D., MRSO (MRSC), principal project officer I: medical imaging, device safety at ECRI. He says that any application of AI in health care should be monitored. “While AI is promising that it ‘works’ on its own, we do need to monitor its performance over time and look for hallucinations in its predictions. AI is also being used in non-clinical areas of hospitals administrative processes – like in patient scheduling, prescription refilling, and appointment reminder bots – and even in health technology management departments (to create maintenance procedures, and verification checklists, for example). Those applications do not follow an FDA clearance 56 TechNation | April 2025

process. Nevertheless, they can end up impacting patient care. Such applications also need to be monitored and included in the healthcare institution’s inventory of AI applications,” Rodríguez-Campos says. HEALTHCARE IN THE HOME SETTING Trends are seen throughout U.S. culture and healthcare is no exception. Technology, along with an aging population, has increased the utilization of home healthcare. Removing healthcare from the more controlled clinical setting comes with challenges. “The delivery of healthcare outside of traditional settings can present technology management challenges. One key step for monitoring devices in the home environment is to maintain up-to-date databases of device allocations, including recipients’ contact information. This will also help with communicating any recall and alert notices for the at-home devices,” says Priyanka Shah, MS, principal project engineer I, device safety, ECRI. She says that devices such as ventilators, dialysis machines and infusion pumps traditionally have been used in acute care settings under clinical supervision but increasingly are being used in the home. “For the 2025 edition of our report, we focused on the inappropriate setup and management of such devices when used in that environment, since inattention to these steps can lead to patient harm,” Shah says. “For example, venous needle dislodgments during dialysis can result from tripping, snagging, or pulling on bloodlines, posing higher risks in home settings. Similarly, ventilator alarms may fail to sound or go unheard due to ambient noise, improper device configuration, or lack of end-user training, leading to harm or fatalities. Harm or hospitalization can also occur from improper programming of the infusion pumps or by forgetting to remove the cap from the infusion line,” Shah adds. She says that proper device use and operation is supported by minimizing setup burden, providing users with clear instructions for setup, use, and troubleshooting, and sharing contact details for clinical and vendor support. “Evaluating device usability before deployment and offering concise education and training to patients and caregivers further support safety and reduce the potential for risks,” Shah says. VULNERABILITIES THROUGH THIRD-PARTY VENDORS While health care systems take measures to employ cybersecurity measures to protect patient data and access to medical equipment, many rely on external third-party providers to take similar measures, without knowing for certain. As ECRI points out, “Essential tools ranging from scheduling and billing services to electronic health records and other clinical systems are frequently provided by third-party vendors.” “Healthcare organizations should follow NIST and HIPAA guidance and best practices recommendations. This would include ensuring there are adequate resources and enforced policy requirements to review third-party vendor security prior to contracting, as well as throughout the contract period. Organizations should employ top-down enforcement that advocates for vetting vendor security from a technical and legal perspective in

line with their data classification policy as well as their security risk acceptance levels that uphold the regulatory requirements associated with the services enlisted,” ECRI Vice President, Information Security Officer Kallie Smith says. She says that additionally, testing and assurance of said security mechanisms should be collected and analyzed and avenues for risk acceptance and checkpoints should be put in place that protect the organization and those whose data may be involved in any risk decisions. SUBSTANDARD SUPPLIES ENTERING THE SYSTEM Just as patents expect safe medical devices and a sterile environment, they also expect that the supplies that they count on during treatment to be of the highest quality. Unfortunately, finding substandard and even counterfeit medical supplies in the care setting is not a new problem. “For medical devices and supplies, difficulty regulating foreign manufacturing and controlling the quality of products that comprise components or services sourced from multiple entities are large factors. Widely accessible online marketplaces that don’t perform due diligence on the products being sold also create an easy avenue for entry,” says Karen Haberland, senior project officer of device evaluations, ECRI. She says that a lack of post-market surveillance or end user reporting makes this issue hard to pin down. “Many clinicians don’t know how or are unwilling to take the time to report device failures, especially when the incident appears relatively minor, so there is little documentation of how widespread the problem is,” Haberland says. INFUSION LINE CONCERNS Another hazard identified by ECRI and included on the 2025 hazards list is the problem of poorly managed infusion lines that can become a tripping hazard and/or risk infection. “Maintaining patient infusion lines off floors requires a total systems safety approach with people, securement products, workflows, and facility culture supporting the goal of zero infusion lines on floors. Healthcare facility leadership can provide point-of-care inventory of facility-evaluated infusion line/cord holders, train relevant clinicians how to use these products, and explain why infusion line/cord holders are needed to enhance safety,” says Amanda Sivek, Ph.D., a-IPC, principal project engineer II, device safety, ECRI. She says that a potential workflow modification for nurse managers and infusion/vascular access specialists is to check patient infusion lines at least once per shift (e.g., during rounds) to ensure that the lines are not on the floor.

FRANCISCO RODRÍGUEZ-CAMPOS

KAREN HABERLAND

ROB SCHLUTH

HTMS IMPORTANT ROLE HTM professionals are in a unique role in addressing, mitigating and preventing hazards in the clinical setting and, increasingly, in the home healthcare environment. “The future of healthcare depends on HTM professionals stepping beyond their traditional roles to become strategic partners in safety. HTM professionals are uniquely positioned in healthcare to contribute to and, at times, lead multidisciplinary teams and partnerships to reduce risks to patients, staff, and others. I think of HTM as the connective tissue between clinical partners and medical technology – the ones who should truly understand both the technical capabilities and the clinical implications of healthcare technology,” says Dustin Telford, consultant, healthcare incident investigation and technology consulting, ECRI. He says that HTM professionals should contribute actively to healthcare by not only tackling the hazards in ECRI’s Top 10 report but also going beyond and being visionaries who anticipate future challenges, analysts who understand complex systems, and doers who implement practical solutions. Whether their title is biomedical technician, clinical engineer, service engineer, security specialist, or simply “machine doctor,” HTM professionals should be involved in preventing harm before it happens. Telford suggests that HTM professionals can directly address the hazards listed on the 2025 list by following these steps: By leading technology governance initiatives that ensure safety across the entire life cycle of healthcare technology; fostering partnerships between clinical, technical, and administrative teams to create comprehensive safety solutions; driving systematic approaches to risk identification and mitigation before incidents occur; and building bridges between hospital-based and home-based care technology support. In addition, he suggests championing safety culture through education, collaboration and proactive risk management, developing standardized processes that balance clinical needs with technical capabilities, guiding technology assessment and implementation to optimize both safety and effectiveness and creating sustainable frameworks for continuous safety improvement. Telford also suggests that HTM professionals should be engaging stakeholders at all levels to support technology safety initiatives and they should be sharing insights and experiences across the healthcare technology community.

HTM PROFESSIONALS: AMANDA SIVEK

KALLIE SMITH

DUSTIN TELFORD April 2025 | TechNation 57

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EXPERT ADVICE

CAREERS NOW How to Have a Winning Career Mindset

W BY VICKI SALEMI

hether you’re searching for a new job or aiming to soar in your current one, you may be focused on tactical aspects. And yes, they’re important, but there’s one important question you should ask yourself: How can I possess a winning mindset?

This reminds me of watching the 2025 Australian Open women’s tennis singles final when Madison Keys prevailed in a nail-biting match to win her first Grand Slam tournament! It always seemed like a Grand Slam victory was within reach for the 29-year-old American who turned professional at 14, but a major win eluded her. Until now. In an interview with “Good Morning America” after her victory, Keys said, “Looking at the draw that I had, it’s very tough — I just felt like every round there was just more and more confidence. I don’t know what kind of flip switched in my head, but all of a sudden I was like, ‘I can do this.’ I actually truly believed that I can absolutely be here on Saturday holding the trophy.” Keys continued: “I was so close just a few years ago and had just a heartbreaker of a match. It was kind of in that moment where you have a lot of doubt, and you think, ‘Am I ever going to be able to get back to a Grand Slam final?’ I really kind of just started to put my head down and do a lot of work on the court and off the court, and here we are now.” While the majority of us aren’t exactly competing in a championship match as professional athletes, we can channel our confidence and train our minds to cross that finish line, whether it’s during a job interview or venturing outside our comfort zones. Similar to Keys, it’s the work we do off the court that matters as much as on the court. If you find yourself slipping into negative thought patterns and self-doubt, especially when you’re pounding the pavement looking for a new job, Michael Pilarczyk, author of

“Master Your Mindset: Live a Meaningful Life,” said, “My first question would be: Why associate negative thinking patterns with looking for a new job? These two don’t necessarily go hand in hand. If you’re seeking a new job, the focus should be on what you aspire to do and what kind of work aligns with your dreams and goals.” You might lean into a negative mindset if you’ve been looking for a while and haven’t had many interviews and for other reasons as well. “These [negative thought patterns] don’t arise solely from job hunting. Often, they are part of a larger life pattern – your programming, mindset and behavior. Negative thoughts are typically rooted in fear, insecurity, doubt, a lack of self-esteem or a low self-image. At their core, they all stem from a lack of self-worth.” To overcome negative thoughts, Pilarczyk recommended working on yourself consistently. “Invest in personal growth. Take courses, read books and dedicate time daily to learning and improving. Challenge your fears and doubts with actions,” he said. Surrounding yourself with mentors, coaches and supportive peers can help too. Small, consistent efforts will help as self-doubt shrinks and self-confidence expands. Visualization is another powerful tool, but it needs to be paired with “relentless action and a commitment to self-improvement to transform your future vision into your reality.” Pilarczyk said, “Visualize your future self and the life you want to create. See yourself clearly in that new job, fulfilling the role you’re striving for and imagine the situation as if it’s already real. Visualization isn’t just about hoping or wishing – those alone won’t make things happen. You need to see it and believe it at a very deep level and that takes practice.” Vicki Salemi is a career expert for Monster, an author, a speaker and consultant, TV commentator and former corporate recruiter. Send your questions to hello@vickisalemi.com. April 2025 | TechNation 61

EXPERT ADVICE

THE FUTURE

Future Roles and Job Descriptions BY BRIAN BELL n the evolving landscape of healthcare technology, networking and cybersecurity is no longer a niche concern – it’s a critical component and every technician must understand how to work with teams who specialize in healthcare information systems (HIS). As more healthcare organizations integrate their biomedical equipment technician (BMET) and clinical engineering departments with healthcare information systems (HIS), the lines between service technician and cybersecurity responsibilities are increasingly blurred. Today’s technicians and engineers must be equipped with the knowledge and skills to not only manage medical devices but also to safeguard them from evolving cyber threats. This shift raises important questions about how roles in healthcare technology management are changing and what expectations should be set for professionals at every level. Drawing on the foundational work of the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI), this article outlines best practices for healthcare technicians, from entry-level BMETs to senior clinical engineers with IT and systems integration expertise. While the specifics will vary by organization, these guidelines offer a starting point for building a robust cybersecurity talent framework that supports both device safety and patient data protection. It’s a team effort that requires continuous 62 TechNation | April 2025

adaptation, collaboration, and education, ensuring that every member of the healthcare technology workforce is prepared to tackle the challenges ahead. WHY DEFINE? As roles change rapidly with technology, job descriptions often lag. However, it’s important to continually assess job outlines, because if we are unable to articulate the new skills and knowledge needed – we will often lack a clear strategy to tackle the problem of an increasing talent gap. Of course, each local healthcare organization must adapt or modify to their need based on the local workforce, organizational structure, and national trends. In many cases, only a portion of the outlined responsibilities may be relevant, and in some cases, they may not be required at all. However, there has to be starting point to build on and develop robust expectations for our technicians of the future. Below is a list of best practices for cybersecurity, categorized by job levels and titles: BMET 1: Entry-Level Technician • Implements basic cybersecurity defenses, such as password best practices and social engineering awareness. Ensure that user access to devices is controlled and that default passwords are changed in coordination with managers. • Ensures that all medical devices have up-to-date security patches and software updates. Document any security updates or patches applied to the devices in computerized maintenance software.

• Performs regular checks to ensure antivirus software is installed and functioning when applicable. • Inventories and documents networking and security details of devices (such as static IP addresses). Maintains accurate records of all devices, including model numbers, serial numbers, and software versions. • Learns networking and security issues of medical devices through continual education courses. BMET 2: Intermediate-Level Technician • Competently converses with networking and cybersecurity professionals on device safety. • Ensures medical devices are properly segmented within the network to prevent unauthorized access in coordination with IT departments. • Collaborates with IT to monitor network traffic for any signs of suspicious activity. • Knows and follows incident response procedures for suspected security breaches. • Assists in the investigation and remediation of cybersecurity incidents. • Promotes awareness of potential cybersecurity threats and how to mitigate them to fellow BMET and clinical staff. BMET 3: Senior-Level Technician • Gains increased competency and experience on level 2 requirement. • Become an expert at device security and networking for their specialization. HTM Manager • Leads efforts to develop and implement comprehensive cybersecurity policies and procedures for medical devices. • Assists in regular security audits and vulnerability assessments on medical devices. • Ensures that all devices and practices comply with relevant cybersecurity regulations and standards. • Stay updated on the latest regulatory changes and adjust practices accordingly. • Evaluates the cybersecurity practices of vendors and third-party service providers. • Ensure that all third-party devices and services meet the organization’s cybersecurity standards • Oversees the incident response process, ensuring thorough investigation and documentation. May assist in the forensic analysis of compromised devices to understand the root cause and prevent future incidents. • Stay informed about the latest cybersecurity threats and trends. • Leads efforts to continuously improve the organization’s cybersecurity posture. Clinical Engineer with a Systems Integration/IT Focus: • Ensure that medical devices are integrated securely into the hospital’s IT infrastructure.

• Implement advanced security measures like network segmentation, firewalls, and intrusion detection/ prevention systems. • Develop and enforce cybersecurity policies and procedures for medical devices and their integration. • Stay informed about cybersecurity threats and trends, and update policies accordingly. • Ensure compliance with relevant cybersecurity regulations and standards (e.g., HIPAA, FDA guidelines, NIST frameworks). • Conduct audits and assessments to ensure compliance. • Implement encryption protocols for data transmission and storage. • Evaluates the cybersecurity practices of vendors and third-party service providers. • Ensures that all third-party devices and services meet the organization’s cybersecurity standards. • Includes cybersecurity requirements in contracts and service level agreements (SLAs). • Develop and maintain a robust incident response plan for medical device cybersecurity incidents. • Leads the investigation and remediation of cybersecurity incidents, including forensic analysis when necessary. Coordinates with IT and other relevant departments during incident response and recovery efforts. • Implements continuous monitoring of medical devices and network traffic to detect potential security threats. • Regularly reviews and updates cybersecurity measures to address new vulnerabilities and threats. • Provides ongoing training for clinical engineering staff on the latest cybersecurity best practices and threat awareness. • Promotes cross-departmental collaboration to ensure a unified approach to cybersecurity across clinical and IT teams. By following these best practices tailored to each level, healthcare organizations can significantly enhance their cybersecurity efforts, protecting their medical devices and patient data from potential threats. By defining the need, management can also make a case for increases to salary bands and often justify increases in pay by documenting the shift to high-paid skills and knowledge. At least that is the hope, and as pay increases managers will be able to attract larger pools of talent and increase efficiency of their organizations. This article is adapted, with full permission from the author, from chapter 16 of Medical Device Networking and Cybersecurity: a technicians guide to networking and protective interconnected healthcare devices. The full book is found here - https://htm-workshop.com/shop/ medical-device-networking-and-cybersecurity/ Brian Bell, Ph.D., teaches courses in engineering technology with a focus on biomedical engineering technology.

April 2025 | TechNation 63

EXPERT ADVICE

BRIDGING THE BIOMED STAFFING GAP Leveraging Temporary Staffing for Shortages, Compliance and Experience

BY NICOLE PALMER taffing a clinical engineering program in healthcare facilities presents a unique set of challenges that require strategic planning and innovative solutions. Clinical engineers play a critical role in ensuring the safety, functionality, and efficiency of medical equipment, which directly impacts patient care. However, recruiting and retaining qualified professionals in this field is often complicated by workforce shortages, evolving technology, and budget constraints. Addressing these challenges is essential to maintaining high-quality healthcare services.

Due to retirement and turnover, the amount of biomed staffing experience leaving the industry isn’t meeting the demand as there are not enough newcomers filling the gap. Effective and efficient use of your biomed staff experience matrix is essential to being compliant and providing proper patient safety and care. Utilizing temporary staffing for lower-level biomed tasks such as general biomed PMs and infusion pumps, for example, frees up your more experienced staff to focus on more sophisticated repairs and PM loads. On-demand biomedical (biomed) technicians and short-term staffing are crucial for hospitals, especially in addressing immediate operational and patient 64 TechNation | April 2025

care needs. Here’s why they are essential: 1. ADDRESSING STAFF SHORTAGES Hospitals often face workforce shortages due to retirements, staff turnover, or unexpected surges in demand. Short-term staffing solutions help fill critical gaps, ensuring that medical equipment remains operational and patient care isn’t compromised. 2. EMERGENCY AND PEAK DEMAND SUPPORT During peak seasons (such as flu outbreaks or pandemics), hospitals experience more patients. On-demand biomedical technicians can help maintain and repair essential medical equipment, ensuring uninterrupted healthcare services. 3. COST EFFICIENCY Hiring full-time biomedical staff for fluctuating needs can be costly. On-demand staffing allows hospitals to scale their workforce based on demand, reducing long-term labor costs while maintaining high-quality service. 4. COMPLIANCE AND ACCREDITATION READINESS Hospitals must comply with strict regulatory requirements for equipment maintenance (e.g., The Joint Commission, CMS). Short-term biomedical staffing ensures facilities remain compliant by providing skilled professionals who can conduct preventive maintenance, inspections, and documentation. 5. SPECIALIZED EXPERTISE WHEN NEEDED Some medical equipment requires specialized knowledge for maintenance and repair. On-demand biomedical