ACCE News
Newsletter of the American College of Clinical Engineering
January—February 2025 Volume
President ’ s Message
The New Year is here and we are all back to work after a well-deserved break. I hope all of you had a chance to enjoy some personal time during the holiday season. Work is underway to plan our events throughout 2025 in order to support the CE/HTM community with a host of educational and networking opportunities. The Education Committee is in the midst of planning the ACCE CEIT Symposium on the Convergence of Clinical Engineering and IT Technologies - Integrating Medical Devices into Hospital Networks, pre-HIMSS25. The full day symposium will be held on Monday, March 3rd in Las Vegas. You are invited. Please also take note that our past president Ilir Kullolli will be the recipient of this year’s ACCE HIMSS Excellence in Clinical Engineering - Information Technology Synergies Award which will be presented at HIMSS25. Congratulations to Ilir on this well deserved and overdue recognition. This task force is also planning the ACCE CE Symposium at AAMI eXchange 2025 – New Orleans. Stay tuned for more information.
Our next monthly educational webinars for the CE/HTM community will be held on February 13th with an update on 2025 changes to the Joint Commission requirements. Next up on March 13th, there will be a webinar updating our community on the latest medical device Right to Repair news, touching on the changes in both the United States and Canada. The ACCE Webinar series is a convenient way for all CE/HTM professionals to keep up to date, which is always a challenge in this fast-paced age we live in today. It is important to note that the monthly ACCE webinar series is free to all ACCE members.
I would like to remind everyone that there are two important deadlines that are fast approaching. Nominations are now being accepted until February 16th for the Clinical Engineering Hall of Fame. If you know a deserving candidate that really stands out in our profession, please submit a nomination by February 16th. The 2025 Mario Castañeda Scholarship competition is underway and closes on February 18th. If you are working with a Biomedical/Clinical Engineering student (undergraduate or graduate program) that meets the award criteria, please refer this opportunity to them.
You may have noticed that the ACCE has been advertising for the Secretariat position recently. Suly Chi plans to step back from her responsibilities at the ACCE on a gradual basis after her replacement is hired and fully trained. We all owe Suly a great deal for her commitment to our profession and her dedication to her duties over the last fifteen years. Her efforts at the ACCE over the years have made a significant difference to the Clinical Engineering profession. We will certainly find time to celebrate her achievements when the time comes to do so. Finally in closing, I hope this year will be prosperous and healthy for all of you. I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a Happy 2025!
Kim Greenwood President,
CCE Exam Prep: Sample Review Questions
This column provides example questions and information regarding preparation for the CCE exam. The questions are based on topics from the ACCE Body of Knowledge survey and the CCE Study Guide, Version 13. Note that the instructors for the ACCE CCE Prep courses, and the writers for this column, do NOT have any affiliation with the CCE Board of Examiners and have no access to the actual exam questions. If you have specific topics you would like us to cover please contact editor@accenet.org
1) When developing a capital plan, what factors should NOT be included for consideration? (Multiple answer)
a. Consumable Cost
b. Device Operating System
c. Repair History/Frequency
d. Recalls & Alerts
e. Discounts available from the OEM
2) What is a Request for Information (RFI)? (Single choice)
a. A business process in which a company or public entity requests a quote from a supplier for the purchase of specific products or services.
b. Used at the start of an acquisition process to collect written information (specifications, manuals, user lists etc.) about the capabilities of various suppliers. Normally follows a standardized format that can be used for comparative purposes.
c. Informs suppliers that an organization is looking for a commodity or service and encourages them to make their best effort.
d. All of the above
3) Healthcare Technology Strategic Planning is the method of determining a health entity’s healthcare
ACCE News
ACCE News is the official newsletter of the American College of Clinical Engineering (ACCE).
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Circulation & Address Corrections
Suly Chi, ACCE Secretariat secretariat@accenet.org
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technology requirements and prioritizing these needs in unison with the organization’s strategic goals while keeping within imposed corporate resource (financial, human, technical) realities. The plan should be multiyear and continuously refined. What are all of the essential steps in the process? (Multiple answer)
a. Assess the existing technology base and resource needs.
b. Compare the existing technology base against market and competitors.
c. Review current clinical and technology trends (new & emerging technologies).
d. Prioritize replacement needs for entire inventory.
e. All of the above.
4) Human factors engineering (HFE) is the discipline that studies human capabilities and limitations and applies that information to designing safe and effective systems. HFE is about designing systems that are intuitive for a user to operate and that will achieve the intended outcomes. The Academy of Medicine’s 2000 report emphasized that errors are usually a result of what combination of factors? (Multiple answer)
a. Operating Environment, User Capabilities, Device Design.
b. Operating Environment, User Capabilities, Connectivity to EMR/Network.
c. User Capabilities, Connectivity to EMR/Network, Device Design.
d. All of the above.
e. None of the above.
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Copyright © 2025 by ACCE
(Answers on page 19)
Join ACCE at AAMI eXchange 2025: New Orleans
ACCE is a Contributing Organization for AAMI eXchange 2025
ACCE members are eligible to register for the conference at AAMI members discounted rate. Just download and complete the pdf registration form from AAMI website. Click here
Register by April 19th to take advantage of the Early Bird discount rate.
Attend this co-sponsored “can’t miss” event at AAMI Exchange: Clinical Engineering Symposium: (presented by ACCE) Stay tuned for more information
Date: Saturday, June 21, 2025, 7:30am-10:15am
Location: New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, 900 Convention Center Blvd.
Plan your travel. To receive the special conference rate, book your hotel no later than Friday, May 30th Click here for an overview of the hotels. Map of hotels
Stop by the ACCE booth at the Exhibition!
Ernest N. Morial Convention Center
900 Convention Center Blvd Halls D-E Booth# 3243
• Learn about new webinar series
• Learn about the Certification in Clinical Engineering
• Learn about the membership programs
• Learn about volunteering opportunities
• Connect with old and new friends
• Check/update your membership status
2025 CCE-US Oral Exam
June 19 – 20, 2025
Location: Hilton New Orleans Riverside
Please confirm your exam schedule at: certification@accenet.org
35th ACCE Members Meeting/Award Reception
Date/Time: Sunday, June 22, 2025
6:00PM – 8:00PM
Location: Hilton New Orleans Riverside, 2 Poydras Street, New Orleans, LA 70130
Join us for an evening of networking with your peers and to congratulate the 2025 Advocacy Awards recipients, the 2025 ACCE Fellows, and the 2025 & 2024 Clinical Engineering Hall of Fame inductees
You are invited!
AAMI Update
AAMI Looks to Extend Mission to Dental Field
Last year, AAMI leadership attended the 2024 edition of the Dental Fix Summit, seeking opportunities to support the dental field and its patients using AAMI standards. Dental Fix is an annual event run by UptimeHealth and the College of Biomedical Equipment Technology (CBET). According to college President Richard “Monty” Gonzales, “This collaboration between UptimeHealth and CBET represents a significant step forward in providing top-notch education and resources to the biomedical and dental equipment repair community. We are committed to supporting these technicians as they continue to drive innovation and excellence in their field.”
Recognizing the potential to support AAMI’s mission further, Chief Learning and Development Officer, Robert Burroughs, and Vice President of HTM, Danielle McGeary, attended the event. AAMI’s commitment to promoting the safe and effective use of health technology aligns with the needs of the dental field. According to Burroughs, “We’re here to learn more and figure out how we can help.”
McGeary noted key differences in regulatory practices between hospitals and independent dental clinics. While dental clinics within Health Delivery Organizations (HDO) adhere to the same regulatory requirements and standards, these regulations do not bind independent dental clinics. With an estimated 130,000 independent dental practices nationwide, this represents a significant area for potential standardization and support. As McGeary explains, “Health delivery organizations are regulated by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), and their Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements depend on their compliance with CMS’s standards. Because of this, HDOs are audited by agencies that accredit on behalf of CMS, such as the DNV or the Joint Commission, regularly.”
Burroughs added that independent dental practices are evolving and their technology is rapidly becoming more complex.
“As you see dental practices scaling, you’ll see much of what you saw in traditional healthcare. You’ll see a rising level of standardization and formality along with the introduction of new, cutting-edge technology that must be managed.” With decades of experience guiding the Healthcare Technology Management (HTM) field through similar transitions, AAMI is well-positioned to help dental practices prepare for these technological changes.
Robert and Danielle made these comments during a short interview series conducted at the Dental Fix Summit. You can find these interviews on UptimeServices’ LinkedIn page.
Independent dental clinics are sometimes challenged as they try to ensure their health technology is properly maintained since there is a lack of industry standards that establish best practices around medical device servicing. This is an area where AAMI’s expertise could be valuable and provide guid-
ance for effective and efficient predictive and preventative maintenance, along with strategic equipment replacement planning.
AAMI’s approach to standards and best practices for HTM could be instrumental in supporting dental equipment servicing technicians across the United States. Since dental care is healthcare and dental equipment servicing is a specialty within HTM, there’s a unique opportunity to bridge the gap by bringing formalized servicing practices into the dental sector. AAMI’s experience guiding other healthcare areas through similar evolutions, positions us well to assist independent dental practices as they adapt to increased standardization and regulatory expectations. This collaboration not only advances patient safety but also strengthens the role of dental technicians as key players in HTM. As AAMI expands its focus into the dental field, we look forward to benefiting both patients and HTM professionals alike.
Note from AAMI’s Editor: This isn’t the first time AAMI has worked with professionals from the dental field. In 2020, AAMI announced a collaboration with the American Dental Association (ADA), bringing ADA expertise into a newly formed working group, ST - WG 44 Steam Sterilization Dental Practices. Unlike the new HTM efforts, this project focuses on developing a joint AAMI-ADA standard for steam sterilization practices and sterility assurance in dental facilities Standards development is a years-long process requiring the input of all kinds of expert stakeholders. Parties interested in participating in this standards work should contact Thomas Kim (tkim@aami.org) for more information.
Daniel Visnovsky, Manager, Media Relations AAMI dvisnovsky@aami.org
ECRI Update
Top 10 Health Technology Hazards for 2025
ECRI’s 2025 Top 10 Health Technology Hazards report identifies potential sources of danger involving the use of medical devices and systems. Further, the report offers practical recommendations for reducing the identified risks, all with the goal of preventing harm.
The List for 2025
1. Risks with AI-Enabled Health Technologies
2. Unmet Technology Support Needs for Home Care Patients
3. Vulnerable Technology Vendors and Cybersecurity Threats 4. Substandard or Fraudulent Medical Devices and Supplies 5. Fire Risk in Areas Where Supplemental Oxygen is in Use
6. Dangerously Low Default Alarm Limits on Anesthesia Units
7. Mishandled Temporary Holds on Medication Orders
8. Infection Risks and Tripping Hazards from Poorly Managed Infusion Lines
9. Skin Injuries from Medical Adhesive Products
10. Incomplete Investigations of Infusion System Incidents
ECRI is providing the Executive Brief version of the report to inform the healthcare community about these key safety issues. ECRI members have access to the full report with thorough recommendations that can be put into action.
A Total Systems Approach to Safety
For more than 50 years, ECRI has worked to create safer healthcare environments by providing the guidance and tools that stakeholders need to reduce the incidence of preventable harm during patient care. The annual Top 10 Health Technology Hazards report is one resource to help in that effort.
The goal of reducing preventable harm a goal shared by healthcare professionals, administrators, device manufacturers, policymakers, researchers, and patients themselves can best be achieved through a Total Systems Approach to Safety, or TSS. ECRI’s TSS model moves organizations away from reactive, disconnected interventions by co-designing and implementing a more holistic, proactive, and sustainable safety system that achieves better results. TSS aligns leadership, governance, and culture priorities with workforce safety and wellness, along with patient and family engagement. By redesigning safety system elements, healthcare providers can deliver care more reliably and resiliently. Rooted in advanced safety science, clinically informed human factors engineering, safety management, and health equity, TSS aims to prevent errors, reduce harm, improve staff well-being, and
enhance overall care quality.
Initiatives like this Top 10 Health Technology Hazards report show the total systems approach in action. ECRI’s various teams TSS, Human Factors Engineering, Device Safety, Medication Safety, Infection Control, and others work collaboratively to identify device-specific safety concerns, to probe the underlying system issues that may have contributed to the risks, and ultimately to recommend system-wide safety solutions.
These efforts uncover potential sources of technologyrelated danger, and they inform practical recommendations for reducing the risks and preventing harm. The resulting report highlights steps that healthcare facilities, care providers, device manufacturers, and others can take to improve technology safety regardless of whether care is provided in a hospital, an ambulatory care center, a patient’s home, or some other setting. Some of the topics covered are broad in scope, while others focus on specific medical technologies; however, all represent problems that can be avoided or risks that can be minimized through the careful management of health technologies within the context of the larger system for providing patient care.
Keep in touch and let us know your thoughts on this year’s Top 10 Health Technology Hazards and share your experiences and suggestions.
Ismael Cordero, Senior Project Engineer, Device Safety, ECRI icordero@ecri.org
Women in Clinical Engineering
In this issue, we will highlight the journey of two legendary Clinical Engineers who served in various capacities with ACCE and also volunteer with many task forces.
Carol Davis-Smith, MS, CCE, FACCE
My clinical engineering story began before I even started kindergarten. My parents bought a home in a new neighborhood, and it seemed like every household had a 2-year-old boy including my own. Consequently, I grew up interacting with the boys as the only girl from the very beginning. I loved playing games, so I ended up a student -athlete in a time when there were very few organized outlets for girls. In fact, I played in the first girls’ softball league and in the boys’ summer basketball league. One of my fondest memories from high school was being recognized with the inaugural Girls Student-Athlete Award after playing varsity sports every season along with 4-years of math, science, and foreign languages. Around that same time, the Jarvik artificial heart exploded onto the scene, and I was captivated. I was struggling with pre-med versus engineering as a college major. The Jarvik sealed the deal – medical devices would be my journey. Keep in mind that this was the early 1980s and there were very few colleges/universities offering such a program. In most cas-
es, it was about genetics (the double helix was relatively new) or creative electives in a traditional engineering discipline. I chose the Bioengineering Technology program at the University of Dayton (UD) because it also offered Division I women’s athletics – I played 3 years of field hockey. There were 5 of us in the program and I was the only female. I’m sure the percentage of women in the school of engineering was in the single digits. Between my sophomore and junior years, I met Richard Smith who shared the titles of clinical engineer (CE) and biomedical equipment technician (BMET) with me for the very first time. The next summer, I interned at the University Medical Center (Tucson, AZ) under the guidance of Manny Furst, Bill Betts, and their team of CEs and BMETs. Bill convinced me to complete my master’s degree in engineering at the University of Arizona and continue working with his team after graduation from UD. Again, there were maybe 5 of us in the program and I think I’m the only “survivor.” In 1988, Manny asked me to present one of my internship projects at the AAMI conference which opened the door to the many opportunities I would have in my career. After graduation, I landed a staff clinical engineer position with Barnes Hospital (St. Louis, MO) with Larry Hertzler. This adventure included autonomy with accountability, education-on-the-fly, and my first management role – data communications technicians which we would call IT desktop support technicians today. From there, I moved to a technology assessment specialist position with Premier Inc (Charlotte, NC) where I learned about true technology assessments and supply chains by collaborating with clinical and non-clinical professionals across the country on a day-to-day basis. My next step was into the vice president of clinical technology with Kaiser Permanente
(Oakland, CA) where I had strategic responsibility for the lifecycle management of the medical equipment across the 8 enterprise regions – Hawaii, Oregon, Northern CA, Southern CA, Colorado, Georgia, and the Mid-Atlantic States. Then, in 2017, it was time to take a leap of faith and use everything I’d learned over the past 30+ years to establish an independent consulting practice that would allow me to support my healthcare colleagues regardless of their location or affiliation.
Samantha Jacques, PhD, FACCE
So, CE was not a first career for me. It wasn’t what I choose going through school. I was always good at science and math and knew after a summer program that I wanted to be an engineer. When looking for colleges, I found a small one that had this really unique biomed program where you got to take classes in electronics, mechanics, and computer engineering while applying it to the physiology. We didn’t have to know which subspecialty in
(Continued on page 7)
Carol Davis-Smith President, Carol Davis-Smith & Associates Past CCE Board Examiner, Task Force Member, Speaker
Samantha Jacques Vice President, McLaren Health Care Past Board Member, Task Force Member, Speaker
Women in Clinical Engineering (Continued)
(Continued from page 6)
biomedical engineering we wanted to be in - and that was great for me, because I wasn’t quite sure. As I finished my undergraduate degree, I decided that instead of industry, I wanted to get my advanced degree and actually become a professor. I enjoyed research and teaching and so I went on and got my PhD in Biomedical Engineering and became a professor. I taught and conducted research for seven years at two different universities. I made my way up the academic ranks and ended up running the undergraduate program at my alma matter.
Then an opportunity presented itself in the CE field. There was a children’s hospital in Texas that, at the time, required its CE Director to have a PhD as it did a lot of research. They reached out to me and wanted me to look at taking this position. It was a difficult choice for me to leave academia, change my entire career path, move my family across the country, and in some ways start over. Despite the massive change, it was something I would do again in a heartbeat. I found another field where my passion and values align with the vision and mission of the organizations I work with. I stayed in Texas almost seven years and got to do some amazing things like build new hospitals, collaborate on grants to build biomed programs overseas, and do some really neat research. I then moved to a hospital system in Pennsylvania for several years before finally taking a role at my current hospital system Michigan.
How long have you been involved with ACCE?
Smith-Davis: I remember attending the AAMI conference when the founding group of clinical engineers held an organizational meeting. At the time, certification was required to join or at least that’s what I was told. It was years later that I began delivering
webinars as part of the ACCE educational series and serving on the CCE Board of Examiners. Along the way, however, I served on almost every AAMI committee including the Board of Directors, frequently finding myself in a liaison role between the two organizations.
Jacques: Since 2009 – 15 years What do you think of being female in engineering?
Smith-Davis: Honestly, being the only female has never been a big deal to me because it’s just how the world unfolded for me. I didn’t know anything different. My big deal is when anyone tells me I can’t or shouldn’t do something that otherwise seems reasonable. Yes, there were professors, bosses, and “colleagues” who stepped out of bounds with comments and actions, but I held a strong posture of what was acceptable. Some will say that I speak out too much or that I’m “a lot.” Good. Means I’m doing my job because it all comes from my “why” – I want to leave a place better than I found it.
Jacques: I always have problems answering this question, because it shouldn’t matter that I’m a “female” engineer. I think of myself as an engineer, a problem solver, and a lifelong learner. Being an engineer is great as I get to solve all kinds of problems and by choosing CE as a field, I get to solve practical problems that have direct impact on patients in my health care system. That’s incredibly rewarding to me.
However, as I’ve gotten older and raised a family, I’ve realized that the next generation needs a different environment than I did growing up. When I began my journey to being an engineer, I was too stubborn to realize how different I was. It didn’t matter to me that I was one of just a handful of women because I knew what I wanted to do, and I went and did it - regard-
less of what I had to overcome to make it happen. But it does matter for our kids and the next generation to see that there are women, people of color, and a great diversity in all fields and at all levels within those fields. So even though it wasn’t ever a goal of mine to be a role model in that way, I find that I am and I’ve embraced that role. Anyone can do whatever they put their mind to, but it is quite helpful to see someone that looks like you be successful at it and have a resource to go to when you need help.
Who/what was your greatest influencer/advocate for choosing clinical engineering?
Davis-Smith: There isn’t a “greatest.” There were many who influenced my decisions along the way. My family is full of clinicians and engineers. My teachers allowed and encouraged my insatiable curiosity. My professors and advisors tolerated volumes of questions and dealt with administrative barriers. My grandfather asked his electrical supply salesman at University Medical Center (Tucson, AZ) to arrange an introduction to an engineer that took care of the medical equipment. Manny Furst and Bill Betts treated me like a real clinical engineer during my internship. My colleagues have endured my seemingly endless questions and “what if” scenarios. I’m a better clinical engineer and a better person because of all of them.
Jacques: I am a proponent of aligning your passion and values with the mission and vision of the organization you’re working with. When you find a place (or profession) that allows you to align with what makes you proud/happy/fulfilled with the job you’re actually doing, you find
Women in Clinical Engineering (Continued)
people that really love their work. One of the first people I met in CE that embodied this alignment was Dr. Larry Fennigkoh. Dr. Fennigkoh and I taught together at the university and he always had this curiosity and drive to solve real world practical problems. As one of the original members in ACCE and advocates for the CE field he influenced me greatly.
What surprises you in Clinical Engineering?
Davis-Smith: Why don’t more clinical engineers establish clinical engineering services when they assume management roles at health systems without CE capabilities? Why don’t clinical engineers have non-maintenance related performance metrics? We’re obsessed with maintenance metrics –mostly so we pass accreditation surveys – but haven’t defined metrics for the engineering work. Instead, we refer to it as “value added” which is ridiculous in the minds of executives who only see the labor expense.
Jacques: How every day is different. It’s amazing to see how technology continues to change and how that impacts health and healthcare. Because of the everchanging environment, no two days are the same and every day there is an opportunity to learn something new and continue to grow.
What would you tell other females who are considering engineering?
Smith-Davis: The same thing I would tell a male person. What captures your imagination? What do you want to do –not what title – what activity? If you don’t like math and science, then you should look elsewhere. Assuming you like math and science and you’re reasonably good at them … pursue engineering. Freshman year is all about general engineering principles and previewing all the potential disciplines –don’t commit to one discipline immediately. Maintain your extracurricular activities – sports, the arts, whatever –these will make you a more rounded individual and a better student. By
communicating consistently and authentically, we demonstrate how the world could be / should be. Besides, there are a lot of other marginalized people who need real leaders and advocates. And the world needs them.
Jacques: My advice includes the following:
• Always believe in yourself; you’re capable of much more than you think you are.
• Take on the challenges that come your way including challenging technical or leadership roles – they will teach you about yourself more than taking the safe route.
• Don’t minimize how fast technology is changing.
• Constantly develop new skills and expose yourself to smart people and you will continue to grow just like technology has.
Erin Sparnon, MEng Member, Advocacy Committee Erin.sparnon@gmail.com
2025 Mario Castañeda Scholarship Competition
The ACCE Student Scholarship is now the Mario Castañeda Scholarship. A tribute to ACCE past president Mario Castañeda, the scholarship furthers his legacy to promote the profession and encourage eligible students to pursue a health technology/clinical engineering/biomedical engineering career path.
The American College of Clinical Engineering will award one $1,500 scholarship to a student studying to become a clinical engineer. The scholarship will be awarded at the annual members meeting in June.
To apply for this Scholarship click here.
To support the Scholarship Program Fund, please click here to donate
Welcome New ACCE Members
We welcome our newest members, approved by the Membership Committee, and supported by the Board of Directors:
Eric Pickett Institutional/Associate Manager, HTM
Randy Taylor Institutional/Associate Manager, HTM
Larry Walker Institutional/Associate Manager, HTM
Alan R. Ordonez Institutional/Associate Manager, HTM
Andrew Stiles Institutional/Associate Assistant Director, HTM
Children’s Hospital TX/USA
Children’s Hospital TX/USA
’s Hospital TX/USA
Children’s Hospital TX/USA
Claudia Molina Institutional/Associate Lead Systems Analyst, HTM Texas Children’s Hospital TX/USA
Gordon Groschi Institutional/Associate Manager, HTM
Roy Stuedemann Institutional/Associate Manager, HTM
’s Hospital TX/USA
Nelson Su Institutional/Associate Clinical Engineer II Cedars Sinai CA/USA
Kamidreza Hatamishirkouhi Student Graduate student/Master Program University of Ottawa ON/ Canada
Congratulations goes to the following member who was upgraded to Individual Level:
Alexandria Castillo, Clinical Systems Engineer II, Kaiser Permanente
Amy Klemm, MS, CCE
Membership Committee Chair
Amy.s.klemm@gmail.com
IFMBE-CED Update
How Artificial Intelligence is Changing the Clinical Engineering Landscape
The advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reshaping the clinical engineering field and providing tools for the development of innovative solutions for healthcare delivery. As AI technologies advance, they revolutionize various aspects of clinical engineering, from predictive maintenance of medical devices to improving diagnostic imaging and patient monitoring systems.
One of the most significant applications of AI in clinical engineering is in the predictive maintenance of medical devices. Maintenance checks in conventional maintenance schedules are still based on timelines, resulting in the service of an asset more frequently than what is necessary or worse, unexpected failures. Machine learning algorithms evaluate old performance information and real-time operational statistics to anticipate when a device may break down or require maintenance. This anticipatory method increases the longevity of medical devices while reducing the time and expenditure linked to broken devices. One way is through AI-powered predictive analytics to track vital signs and equipment performance, alerting engineers to anomalies before they escalate into critical failures.
In addition to maintenance, AI also significantly enhances diagnostic imaging practices. Machine learning algorithms analyze complex imaging data, such as X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans, with remarkable accuracy. AI systems help radiologists identify medical conditions quickly and accurately. Clinical engineers are crucial for integrating these tools into imaging systems, ensuring smooth operation and regulatory compliance. Moreover, AI technologies are reshaping pa-
tient monitoring systems. Advanced algorithms process data from multiple sources, including wearable devices, to provide real-time insights into a patient’s health status. AIdriven analytics can identify trends and alert healthcare providers to critical changes, enabling timely interventions.
AI systems can also help manage chronic conditions like diabetes and heart disease by analyzing data from glucose monitors and heart rate sensors to predict health crises, enabling proactive care. Clinical engineers are vital in developing and maintaining these reliable, user-friendly monitoring systems. Integrating AI in clinical engineering also raises important data privacy and security considerations. As AI systems increasingly rely on vast amounts of health data, safeguarding this information becomes paramount. Clinical engineers must collaborate with IT professionals to implement robust cybersecurity measures that protect sensitive patient information while complying with regulatory requirements. This partnership ensures that the benefits of AI are realized without compromising patient trust or safety.
Looking ahead, the potential of AI in clinical engineering is vast. As machine learning models evolve, they will become even more adept at handling complex clinical scenarios. Clinical engineers must adapt to this changing landscape, acquiring new skills in data analytics and AI technologies to harness their full potential.
Organizations like the Clinical Engineering Division (CED) aim to inspire AI integration into the clinical engineering practice. CED is empowering clinical engineers to embrace the opportunity of being key actors in the technological shift by providing valuable resources, collaborations, and training. AI profoundly impacts clinical engineering by transforming predictive maintenance, diagnostic imaging, and patient monitoring systems. These technologies enhance operational efficiencies and improve patient outcomes through earlier detection and proactive care. As clinical engineers embrace these advancements, they will shape the future of healthcare, ensuring AI applications are integrated effectively into clinical practice and, at the same time, ensuring patient safety and care quality. The journey of AI in clinical engineering is just beginning, promising a brighter future for healthcare delivery.
Fabiola Martinez, MS, PhD Chair, IFMBE/CED fmml@xanum.uam.mx
From the Education Committee:
In ACCE’s 2024-2025 Educational webinar Session 4, Varying Reporting Structures of HTM/CE Departments, panelists Michael Fraai, Perry Kirwan and Ilir Kullolli explored the evolution of Health Technology Management (HTM) structures, examining their advantages, disadvantages, and impact on communication and escalation processes. Michael Fraai, with a background in Biomedical Engineering, shared insights from his role as Executive Director of Biomedical Engineering & Device Integration at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, highlighting the hospital’s organizational chart and its focus on strategic technology use across various departments. Ilir Kullolli, Executive Director at Stanford Children’s Health, discussed his leadership experience in Clinical Systems Engineering at Kaiser Permanente and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, offering an overview of how his organization’s structure supported innovation and operational efficiency. Perry Kirwan, Executive Director at Sutter Health, explained the organizational chart at Sutter Health, where multiple facilities are supported by a centralized technology management team, ensuring seamless integration and asset support. Each speaker brought valuable perspectives on how these organizational structures shape the healthcare technology landscape and improve overall management.
Carolyn Mahoney, Session Moderator and Education Committee member.
Kicking off the new year, ACCE’s 2024-2025 Educational webinar Session 5 was a good reminder to always be ready for your organization’s next accreditation survey. Five panelists from ISOs and HCOs shared their recent experiences with The Joint Commission (TJC), how they prepare for surveying, and what advice they wish to share with others preparing for their next survey. Richard Eliason of Crothall Healthcare, Jason Gibson of Sodexo Healthcare, and Denisa Lambert of Trimedx, all emphasized TJC surveyors have focused on Alternative Equipment Maintenance (AEM) & Relocatable Power Tap (RPT) standard adherence in the recent years. Richard advised to ensure clear accountability versus responsibility when it comes to end user maintained equipment that a surveyor may see as being under HTM umbrella of accountability. Michele Manzoli of Cedars Sinai shared his best practice of having BMET ambassadors for the Healthcare Technology Management (HTM) department assigned to each floor. He noted that not only does this increase technician ownership and builds relationships with key clinical leaders, but it also improves the department visibility and value to the organization. Jim Panella of UI Health reminded the audience to seek out new standards and changes directly from the Joint Commission website, and shared his best practice of scheduling time in his calendar to review documents, audits and mock surveys on a regular basis. So as Denisa said, “always be ready... it’s about patient safety.”
Anna Cristina Samlik, Session Moderator and Education Committee member.
In case you missed the live sessions, you may review the presentation material on ACCE website by logging in to your member account.
(Continued
From the Education Committee: (continued)
2024-2025 Educational Webinar Series
The 2024-2025 Educational webinar series is scheduled to continue with Session 6 on February 13th covering the topic: The Joint Commission Updates-2025.
Register today and join Mr. Herman A. McKenzie, Director, Physical Environment Departmetn, Standards Interpretation Group, to learn/stay ahead of the curve with the latest Joint Commission Updates for 2025.
Session 7 on March 13th, 2025 we will be covering the topic Right to Repair: Current status in the US and Canada
Register today and join our panelists:
• Nathan Proctor, Senior Director of US PIRG Campaign for Right to Repair
• Binseng Wang, Vice President, Program Management for HTM, Sodexo
• Kevin Taylor, Territorial Manager, Biomedical Engineering, Northwest Territories Health and Social Services as they discuss the issues at the core of this debate – including concerns about patient safety, remanufacturing, cybersecurity and more. And share updates on the progress of medical Right to Repair legislation in both countries, and more.
ACCE is an official Collaborator of HIMSS25. As such, our members receive the HIMSS member rate to attend. To register, visit HIMSS25 General Registration and login / create an account (“Skip” button if not a member). Choose your preferred type HIMSS25 Pass and enter ACCE as the Referring Collaborator Organization and code: GC25ACCE to register at HIMSS member’s rate. Click here for the Agenda at-a-glance.
2025 ACCE CE-IT Symposium (pre-HIMSS25)
Topic: Convergence of Clinical Engineering and IT Technologies - Integrating Medical Devices to Hospital Networks
Date/Time: Monday, March 3, 2025 / 8:30am -4:30pm
Location: Venetian Las Vegas /Level 2/ Bellini 2103
Registration required (FREE), click here to register
Description: Medical devices continue to be integrated into various back-end applications to facilitate new technology, safety features, and even enable new clinical workflows. How do we best support this exciting technology development and manage the expanding integrated medical device environment? Join this complimentary ACCE CE-IT Symposium to learn more!
We will examine the challenges associated with managing medical device integrations and explore some of the new integration use cases. Our team of expert speakers will outline first-hand experience with the challenges posed by this integrated environment. The team will share insights and practical recommendations on how to best manage these integrated technologies. Topics covered will include updates on the latest regarding new medical device integration use cases, cybersecurity risks with integrated medical devices, and more.
Discover how device integration is not only enabling new workflows but also enhancing patient care and patient safety. Engage in insightful panel discussions with industry thought leaders representing healthcare organizations, the medical device industry, and researchers.
Don’t miss this opportunity to learn about expanding medical device integration!
2025 ACCE CE-IT Symposium (pre-HIMSS25) Schedule
Time Title
8:30am -8:45am Symposium Introduction/Opening
8:45am – 9:45am Session 1: Keynote
Bridging the Gap: Integrating Medical Devices with Hospital IT Networks
9:45am – 10:30am Session 2: The Interfacing of IT and Medical Systems for TeleCritical Care Delivery in the VA
10:30am – 10:45am BREAK
Presenter
Mike Powers/Juuso Leinonen (co-chairs)
Phil Englert, VP Medical Device Security Health-ISAC, Inc.
Mark S Brody/Christopher Capodicci SIGMA Health Consulting
10:45am– 11:30am Session 3: Alarm Integration Raajen Patel
EVP of Innovation & Client Engagement, SickBay
11:30am – 12:00pm HIMSS Changemaker in Health Awards
Presentation of the 2025 HIMSS-ACCE CE-IT Synergies Award: Ilir Kullolli
12:00pm – 1:00pm LUNCH BREAK
Networking
1:00pm – 1:45pm Session 4: Medical Device Interoperability: The surprising relevance of the Clinical Engineer
1:45pm – 2:30pm
Session 5: The Integrated Patient Monitoring System
2:30pm – 2:45pm BREAK
2:45pm – 4:25pm Session 6: PANEL DISCUSSION: Connect Care: Innovations and Insights in Medical Device Integration
Tammy Kwiatkoski (HIMSS) & Jim Panella, Erin Sparnon & Juuso Leinonen (ACCE) (past award winners to join for picture)
Todd Cooper Exec Director, Trusted Solutions Foundry
Nick A. Everson
HTM Head
Mayo Clinic
Panelists: Phil Englert, Health-ISAC
Ben Stock, ORDR
Nick Everson, Mayo Clinic
Todd Cooper, Trusted Solutions Foundry Raajen Patel, SickBay
Mark S. Brody & Chris Capodicci, SIGMA Health Consulting
Moderator: Juuso Leinonen
4:25pm – 4:30pm Closing Juuso Leinonen & Mike Powers (co-chairs)
For full description of sessions, click here.
2025 ACCE CE-IT Symposium (pre-HIMSS25) - Session 1
2025 ACCE CE-IT Symposium (pre-HIMSS25) - Session 2
2025 ACCE CE-IT Symposium (pre-HIMSS25) - Session 3
2025 ACCE CE-IT Symposium (pre-HIMSS25) - Session 4
2025 ACCE CE-IT Symposium (pre-HIMSS25) - Session 5
2025 ACCE CE-IT Symposium (pre-HIMSS25) - Pannel Discussion
CCE Exam Prep: Answers
Answers
Question 1
Correct answer: E
Explanation:
a. This is part of the total cost of ownership. Consumables could end up costing more than the capital purchase cost over the life of the device. Consider negotiating a discount/ XX% of consumables at no charge each year if consumables are needed. If it makes sense for your organization, negotiate a lease agreement or significantly reduce purchase costs. Are there third-party suppliers that offer reprocessing to minimize consumables?
b. Without a mitigation plan in place, operating systems that cannot be supported should be immediately segregated on the network and considered an equal factor in the equation for replacement due to serviceability and risk.
c. Repair history/frequency, including downtime and parts availability, should be a factor. This information helps calculate cost of service and can be compared against revenue or lost revenue during downtime.
d. Recalls & Alerts could create extended or unresolved safety concerns and should be considered as a factor. Unfortunately, Recalls & Alerts are not predictable.
e. Discounts should not be a factor in a capital decision. The technology decision should be made based on need, and then negotiations on purchase/ contracts/ consumables can occur. The decision should be made on the best technology for the procedure, patient population, usability, and serviceability.
Question 2
Correct answer: B
Explanation:
a. This is a Request for Quotation (RFQ).
b. This is a Request for Information (RFI).
c. This is a Request for Proposal (RFP).
d. Request for Proposal (RFP) and Request for Quotation (RFQ) would not be correct as these are specific to a quote or a proposal, whereas, the Request for Information (RFI) is the data gathering phase.
Question 3
Correct answer: E
Explanation:
a. This step involves reviewing current technology resources and documenting each piece of equipment’s age, anticipated remaining life expectancy, capabilities, and service history. Reviewing the service history and problem reports is essential to understanding whether the device represents a potential hazard or is costing more to maintain than it would to replace.
b. This step involves reviewing technology against the market, standard of care, and competitors to remain competitive while providing high patient care at a lower cost to service ratio.
c. This step involves understanding the advancements in technology in order to define how technology has evolved to serve the needs of patients, how that is relevant to the hospital’s strategic plan, and what facets of the new technology are beneficial.
d. This step involves ranking all equipment on inventory against standard criteria to create a process that is replicable
e. While all answers above are correct, the question asked for all of the essential steps in the process. Making this the most correct answer.
Question 4
Correct answer: A
Explanation:
a. A is the correct answer:
• Operating Environment- Medical devices are used in many environments, including operating rooms, emergency rooms, ICUs, radiology, labs, emergency vehicles, clinics, and even homes. Performance can often be compromised by noise, poor lighting, temperature, fatigue/ mental workload, stress, electrical interference, etc.
• User Capabilities- Clinicians vary greatly in their physical, sensory, and mental abilities as well as equipment knowledge & competencies
• Device Design- designing systems that are intuitive for a user to operate is very important
b. Connectivity is not a factor in adverse events from use error. Equipment can continue to function without access to the network/EMR
c. Connectivity is not a factor in adverse events from use error. Equipment can continue to function without access to the network/EMR
d. Not all answers above are correct. Specifically, connectivity is not a factor in adverse events
e. Answer A is correct, so this does not apply
Questions written by the ACCE CCE Written Exam Study Group Instructors.
Jenn Nichols, MSE, CCE, CHTM jennie_nichols@yahoo.com
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03 Mar 2025 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
13 Mar 2025 12:00-1:00 PM
10 Apr 2025 12:00-1:00 PM
2025 ACCE CE-IT Symposium (pre-HIMSS25): Convergence of Clinical Engineering and IT Technologies - Integrating Medical Devices into Hospital Networks
Location: Venetian | Level 2 | Bellini 2103, Las Vegas Registration required (FREE) . Click here to register
2024-2025 Educational Webinar Series Session#7: Right to Repair. Current status in the US and Canada Location: Zoom
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