ACCE News
Newsletter of the American College of Clinical Engineering
November—December
President ’ s Message
As each November 11th passes it reminds us of the tremendous sacrifice made by many over the years through their military service to keep all of us living safe and free. We can get complacent in North America since we live in relative peace and younger people may not understand the significance of this important day of reflection. It is our duty to teach them so that this sacrifice should never be forgotten. A big thank you to all veterans!
Our monthly educational program will continue with the next session on December 12th on the topic of “Varying Reporting Structures in HTM/CE Departments.” This session will include a panel discussion and will delve into how different structures have evolved over recent years, identifying both the advantages and disadvantages of the different reporting models.
The updating of our website is nearly finished and is expected to be complete by the end of 2024. Please check it out soon. Many thanks Bhaskar Iduri and Suly Chi and team for all their hard work on this project.
Take note that the upcoming deadline for the 2025 ACCE Advocacy Awards is December 13th. This is a great opportunity to recognize your colleagues in a meaningful way for their service to our profession and community. Please nominate them for one of the nine different Advocacy Awards. Also, submissions for the 2025 Student Paper competition will be accepted until January 17th, 2025. Make sure to advise your students of this contest. The details are outlined on the ACCE website if they are interested in finding out more. It is a good opportunity to get early career recognition for individuals just entering our field.
Nominations for the joint AAMI Foundation - ACCE Robert L. Morris Humanitarian Award are open until January 16th, 2025. This award recognizes individuals who have applied healthcare technology to improve global human conditions on a sustaining basis. If you get a chance over the upcoming weeks and know of a deserving candidate, please consider sending in a nomination.
Finally, with the year end being upon us very soon, I would like to extend Season’s Greetings from our Board of Directors to all members of the greater CE/HTM community and their loved ones. I hope all of you will be able to spend some time with your friends and family and you have a very Happy 2025!
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
Service Delivery Management Questions
1) What are required actions to manage contracted vendors providing service on medical equipment? (Multiple answer)
a. Vendor service staff check-in/check-out procedures
b. To expedite repair, if a part/service is not covered by the contract, i.e. an exception, CE approval is not needed
c. Restrict hours or days of service for 24x7 contracts based on CE staffing availability
d. Monitor vendor contract performance using a scorecard for evaluation
2) What is a typical advantage of manufacturer fullservice contracts over other maintenance cost coverage methods? (Single choice)
a. Lower cost
b. Faster on-site response time
c. Software upgrades included d. More contract flexibility
ACCE News
ACCE News is the official newsletter of the American College of Clinical Engineering (ACCE).
Managing Editor
Ted Cohen
tedcohen@pacbell.net
Co-Editors
Sonja Markez
Jason Launders editor@accenet.org
Circulation & Address Corrections
Suly Chi, ACCE Secretariat secretariat@accenet.org
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3) What are characteristics of a high-quality managed medical equipment maintenance insurance program? (Multiple answer)
a. Reimbursement to the hospital based on in-house CE staff for performing work normally performed by an OEM
b. Ability to add and delete items via prorated schedule
c. The program is always administered by a multinational medical equipment manufacturer
d. The actuarial service cost data researched by the insurance company is provided to the hospital
4) What items below are important considerations in measuring maintenance costs for a medical equipment inventory? (Multiple answer)
a. Cost of service ratio
b. Failures during the equipment warranty period
c. Failures during the contract period of exceptions to a manufacturer service contract
d. The clinical user staffing costs
ACCE News is a benefit of ACCE membership; nonmembers may subscribe for $100 per year. To subscribe e-mail: secretariat@accenet.org
Copyright © 2024 by ACCE
2025 Clinical Engineering Hall of Fame Nominations
Nominations for the Clinical Engineering Hall of Fame (CE-HOF) are open until February 16th, 2025. If you want to nominate someone for this prestigious honor, check the eligibility and complete the online Nomination Form
The Clinical Engineering Hall of Fame was established by ACCE to help the wider healthcare profession and general public better understand the clinical engineering profession. It is an outwardfacing virtual museum that tells the story of clinical engineering, from its beginnings in the late 1960s to the present day. Today it honors the visionaries, leaders, and luminaries who have contributed to the creation, evolution, and advancement of the profession. Additionally, the CE-HOF allows students and others who are interested in exploring clinical engineering as a profession to understand and appreciate the challenges and rewards in pursuing this career.
The rules governing nomination to the CE-HOF are straightforward. Any person, alive or deceased can be nominated for induction into the CE-HOF, regardless of age, sex, race, nationality, residency, education level, years of experience, or membership within ACCE (i.e., non-ACCE members are acceptable).
The essential requirement for induction into the CE-HOF is that the individual has contributed in a meaningful way to the initiation, evolution or advancement of the profession. Awards, honors, leadership positions, certifications, publications, presentations, etc. are not sufficient by themselves to warrant induction, although they may be cited as supporting evidence of the nomi-
nee’s contributions. A more complete description of the requirements is contained in the Nomination Form Instructions.
In addition to the completed Nominations Form, at least three letters of support from well-known clinical engineering professionals are required; extensive evidence to support the nomination is expected. Self-nomination is not acceptable.
All nominations will be reviewed by the CE-HOF Nominations Review Committee for completeness and adherence with the essential requirements and qualifications for nomination. Up to three Nominees, selected by the CE-HOF Nominations Review Committee, will be submitted for an affirmation vote by the individual, fellow and emeritus members of ACCE. Those receiving at least 75% of the votes cast will be submitted to the ACCE Board for ratification.
The 2025 Class of Inductees will be announced at the ACCE annual assembly/awards ceremony and via official ACCE publications and website. A summary of the Inductees’ contributions along with a biography, pictures, etc. will be posted in the ACCE website so that the general public, clinical engineering professionals, and aspiring students can learn about the extraordinary contributions made by these pioneers.
Matthew F. Baretich, P.E., Ph.D. Chair, CE-HOF Nominations Review Committee mfb@baretich.com
AAMI Update
College of Biomedical Equipment Technology Brings HTM to High School Students
AAMI and the College of Biomedical Equipment Technology have exciting news regarding our ongoing collaboration with HOSA –Future Health Professionals. HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America) is a global organization that prepares students for careers in healthcare. We are in the process of establishing a national program that will teach high school students concrete healthcare technology management (HTM) skills.
Following their promotion of the HTM field by a poster campaign, AAMI, the College of Biomedical Equipment Technology, and HOSA are working together to build a national HTM educational track for students. The forthcoming educational track is the second part of a nationwide campaign meant to inspire students to explore high-demand career opportunities in HTM. Once launched, it will expose students across the country to professional opportunities in the HTM field. AAMI’s hope is that this initiative yields a new generation of dedicated, involved HTM professionals and spreads awareness about the field in general.
The program will be piloted during the 2026-2027 academic year and will be structured like a science bowl competition. Students will gain concrete skills and knowledge applicable to the HTM field. The curriculum will combine AAMI’s BMET 101 course with online, interactive VR training modules from the College of Biomedical Equipment Technology, where students will learn to troubleshoot an infusion pump. Each student will be provided with a step-by-step procedure for troubleshooting the pump, which they must learn and practice.
All HOSA students who choose the HTM track at their high school will follow this exact curriculum. Students who excel in the program will advance to HOSA competitions at the regional and state levels, showcasing their HTM knowledge and skills. In the competition, Round 1 will feature a written exam based on BMET 101
content to assess their HTM knowledge. High-scoring students will advance to Round 2, where they will demonstrate hands-on skills by troubleshooting a VR-simulated infusion pump. Top-performing students will qualify to compete in the HTM track at the HOSA National Competition.
According to AAMI Vice President of HTM Danielle McGeary, this collaboration is the perfect match of existing organizational capabilities: “The College of Biomedical Equipment Technology and AAMI are coming together to provide crucial HTM information to students, and HOSA has the capability to build educational tracks with an emphasis on hands-on learning. This collaboration is sure to provide information on HTM careers to students all around the U.S.”
Richard L. “Monty” Gonzales, Ed. D., President of the College of Biomedical Equipment Technology, agreed, stating, “The HOSAFuture Health Professionals is a global program designed to inspire high school students considering careers in healthcare. The establishment of an HTM career path competitive program, jointly sponsored by AAMI and the College of Biomedical Equipment Technology, directly addresses the pressing national shortage of qualified technicians in healthcare. By fostering interest in STEM fields among high school students, this initiative aims to develop the skilled workforce necessary to meet critical industry needs.”
A Call to Action: AAMI and the College of Biomedical Equipment Technology will need the field’s help when the HOSA HTM track is fully established. For this track to be a success, HOSA relies on volunteers to help judge the students’ skills during these regional and state level competitions. As the HTM track is rolled out nationally, we hope that you will consider getting involved!
Stay tuned for future updates from AAMI regarding the program! If you have questions about program details or how to get involved, please contact htm@aami.org
The Four Greatest Weaknesses in the American Healthcare System Fueling Preventable Harm
ECRI’s president & CEO, Marcus Schabacker, penned an article on the greatest threats to patient safety. It’s the first in a series of monthly messages he will publish to address critical topics in healthcare for ECRI’s external audiences and stakeholders: healthcare leaders industry-wide, plus clients and partners.
Dr. Schabacker’s article highlights that nearly all safety hazards can be addressed by eliminating these four widespread weaknesses in the delivery of care:
1. Neglecting systems-based solutions
2. Overlooking human factors engineering
3. Stifling “Just Culture” in the workforce
4. Ignoring health inequities
Understanding Human Factors
Expanding on weakness No.2 mentioned above, our director of human factors engineering, Polly Tremoulet, wrote the article Understanding “Human Factors” is Not “Factors Associated with Being Human.”
Dr. Tremoulet explains that modern healthcare relies on a variety of physical and digital assets and tools. Sophisticated medical devices help in diagnosing and treating disease. Advanced materials pre-
vent the spread of bacteria. Diverse physical environments are used to deliver care and promote healing.
Even as the healthcare system relies on this tapestry of inanimate resources, healthcare remains fundamentally human. It’s people who give and receive care and people who help ensure safety and quality. Yet humans can also misstep. When humans make errors, we ask why.
Human factors engineers specialize in understanding how design of a system creates opportunities for human error. Their mission is to design working systems to support the work people need to accomplish. With that perspective, human error becomes an impetus to find weaknesses in the system so that safety and performance goals can be met.
I encourage my ACCE colleagues to read both articles and consider how your work is helping to bring solutions to these daunting challenges. We can and will improve the safety and quality of care through systems-based thinking, human factors engineering, just culture, patient engagement and a drive to address health inequities.
Keep in touch and let us know your thoughts on how ECRI can better help our clinical engineering community to achieve a goal of total system safety.
Ismael Cordero, Senior Project Engineer, Device Safety, ECRI icordero@ecri.org
Women in Clinical Engineering
In this issue, we are highlighting the careers of two women who serve on ACCE’s board.
Katherine Navarro, CCE, ACCE, President-Elect (past BOK Committee Chair)
Katherine Navarro
VHA Office of Healthcare Technology Management katherine.breffeilh@va.gov
I am a Biomedical Engineer with the VHA Office of Healthcare Technology Management (HTM) where I support the Biomedical Engineering field in the VA from a national level. I began my career in the VA fifteen years ago at the Central Texas Veterans Healthcare System in Temple, Texas as a trainee in the VA’s Technical Career Field (TCF) Biomedical Engineering program. Upon completion of the TCF program, I moved to San Antonio, Texas, and was a Biomedical Engineer at the South Texas Veterans Healthcare System for about ten years, supporting the Biomedical Engineering department as a project manager for new medical equipment implementations.
In 2020, I began my new role for the Office of HTM, working virtually from San Antonio, and my latest project involves configuring and deploying a modern enterprise CMMS for the VA.
I didn’t always know I wanted to be a Biomedical Engineer; the profession
ended up finding me. Growing up I loved math and science and solving puzzles and problems. As a child I wanted to use my talents to become a doctor, and then that changed to veterinarian, but after attending a College Fair at Texas A&M University, I discovered the profession of Biomedical Engineering. I instantly fell in love with the idea of being in the medical field but getting to apply my love of math, science and problem-solving to an engineering career with medical equipment.
During college I did a co-op at a medical device manufacturing plant and discovered that was not the environment that I wanted to be in as a Biomedical Engineer. Nearing graduation, I listened to a presentation to the Texas A&M Biomedical Engineering Society that was given by Clinical Engineers at the Central Texas VA Hospital about the Clinical Engineering profession in a hospital. After listening to that presentation, the thought of working at a hospital supporting the medical equipment that provided patient care seemed like a fulfilling way to put my skills to work, and so I pursued a career in Clinical Engineering in the VA.
Ashley O’Mara, CCE, ACCE, Memberat-Large
I learned of the Clinical Engineering profession during an undergraduate class in my junior year of Biomedical Engineering program. The idea of working with medical equipment/ technology in a healthcare setting, but in a capacity other than a physician or a nurse, really resonated with me.
After hearing about the Clinical Engineering profession, I researched local hospitals where my college was located to see if volunteer opportunities existed for college students in the Biomedical/Clinical Engineering department. I was able to volunteer and quickly learned I loved the hospital
environment and working with the front line HTM staff on their assignments.
After spending time in the hospital’s Clinical Engineering department, I decided to apply to the UCONN Master’s in Clinical Engineering program to further my studies and work as an intern at a New England hospital. After graduating I took a full time Clinical Engineer position near my hometown in Buffalo, NY where I spent a few years learning from a knowledgeable Chief Clinical Engineer.
Ashley O’Mara
VA New England Health System ashleysomara@gmail.com
I quickly learned that my passion was leadership and took a promotion in North Florida/South Georgia as a Supervisory Clinical Engineer to run their HTM department. During this time we outfitted a new patient tower and outpatient clinic with equipment.
An opportunity then arose for me to move back to the New England area and I became the Chief HTM at VA Connecticut. After serving in that role
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Women in Clinical Engineering (Continued)
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for several years I became the Regional Chief HTM overseeing all eight medical equipment management programs in VA New England HealthCare System and have served in this role for the past 8 years.
How long have you been involved with ACCE?
Navarro: I have been involved with ACCE since 2017. I served as the chair of the ACCE’s Body of Knowledge Committee from 2017 – 2019, as an ACCE Board Member-at-Large from 2020 – 2022, as the ACCE Vice President from 2022 – 2023, and as the ACCE President-Elect from 20232024.
O’Mara: I have been a member of ACCE since joining my Master’s program in Clinical Engineering in 2006. I recently completed by first two-year Member-at-Large term and am starting my second two-year term with ACCE. I enjoyed working on the ACCE/ AAMI mini-symposium in June 2024.
What do you think of being female in engineering?
Navarro: I love being a female in engineering because it shows that we can do anything, including having a career in a traditionally male dominated profession like engineering. In fact, in College I won first place in Texas A&M’s T.R. Spence competition for Engineering Design Graphics and became the first women in the history of the competition to win first place. The first place prize was an engraved Texas A&M watch, and since only men had won it before, the jeweler provided the college with a men’s watch for the prize, which they promptly had to exchange for a women’s watch!
O’Mara: Thanks to the previous women in HTM I felt welcomed and a part of the team in HTM right from the start of my career. More and more women are joining the Clinical Engineering/
HTM program and the field is strengthening with more diversity than ever. Recently I have seen an increased focus for women in leadership and have been grateful to meet so many knowledgeable and accomplished women in HTM Leadership roles.
Who/what was your greatest influence/advocate for choosing clinical engineering?
Navarro: I think besides my parents who always advocated for me, the person who had the greatest influence on my career was my Biomedical Engineering College Advisor. Originally, I was accepted to Texas A&M University for Biomedical Sciences with the plan to go to vet school, but when I attended a college fair during orientation week prior to starting at Texas A&M, I learned about the field of Biomedical Engineering. The profession intrigued me so much that I asked to meet with the Biomedical Engineering College Advisor to learn more, and his presentation on what Biomedical Engineers do in the medical equipment industry was fascinating. I loved the idea of creating medical equipment to help others, and I knew that was the career I wanted, so I switched majors that same weekend and started my college career in Biomedical Engineering. During college, my College Advisor also encouraged me to join organizations like the Biomedical Engineering Society, and it was in one of those meetings that I learned about Clinical Engineering and working in a hospital supporting medical equipment. A specific track in Clinical Engineering was not yet available at Texas A&M, so my specialty was in Manufacturing and Device Design, but after learning that I could use my degree in a hospital setting, I pursued that as my career after graduation.
The final decision on where to work as a Clinical Engineer was influenced by my father, who is an Army veteran and has worked his entire career for the
Federal Government. I knew the benefits of working for the government, and so I jumped at the opportunity when I was offered a position in Clinical Engineering with the VA hospital where I would be able to give back to veterans like my father.
O’Mara: Frank Painter introduced me personally to the Clinical Engineering profession but I’ve been influenced by all of the HTM greats throughout my career including Carol Davis-Smith, Matt Baretich, Binseng Wang, Axel Wirth, Steve Grimes, Larry Fennigkoh, Hank Stankiewicz and many more! They all have their own areas of expertise and I have benefited from reading their work, listening to their lectures, and asking them lots of questions throughout my career.
What surprises you in clinical engineering?
Navarro: I am constantly surprised by the advances in medical technology and the fast pace with which those advances happen. I love learning about the new features or devices that are available and the new procedures that are possible to care for patients because of the technology. Due to these constant changes and advances, especially in the area of networking, telemedicine, and AI, there is always something new to learn or a challenge to overcome, so you always have an opportunity to grow professionally if you want to.
O’Mara: The speed at which things change! Lifelong learning is a must in Clinical Engineering or you will quickly fall behind. Another surprise was how supportive the Clinical Engineering community is and how willing they are to share their knowledge/ expertise especially with young
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Women in Clinical Engineering (Continued)
(Continued
professionals. As I approach midcareer, I am making sure to mentor/ precept young professionals in this same manner.
What would you tell other women when considering engineering?
Navarro: I would say if you love math
and science and building things or problem-solving then go into engineering! There are so many different options in engineering that you will definitely find a specialty that suits your interests. For me, I have always loved the medical field and I wanted to do something to help people, so my path of going into Clinical Engineering was perfect for my interests and has led to a very rewarding career!
O’Mara: Engineering, and in particular Clinical Engineering, is a challenging but rewarding career. To be successful in this career you must be organized, able to work on multiple tasks simultaneously and be a strong communicator with both your team and your clinical customers and colleagues.
Erin Sparnon, MEng Member, Advocacy Committee
AAMI Update (continued): AAMI Signs MOU with GCEA, Will Support Clinical Engineering Abroad
The Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) is pleased to announce that it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Global Clinical Engineering Alliance (GCEA). The agreement establishes a joint effort between AAMI and GCEA to strengthen the healthcare technology management (HTM) field, known globally as clinical engineering (CE).
AAMI’s core mission is to promote the safe and effective use of healthcare technology. To that end, AAMI produces industry standards related to medical devices and their use, and strives to elevate, standardize, and promote the HTM field. GCEA was founded to support and empower the clinical engineering profession around the world and to contribute to international harmonization efforts.
This MOU is a natural fit for the missions of both organizations and is expected to yield multiple new initiatives that will support the HTM/CE community around the globe. This will include:
• Co-marketing of events like AAMI eXchange and the International Clinical Engineering and Health Technology Management Congress (ICEHTMC).
Daniel Visnovsky, Manager, Media Relations AAMI (Continued from
• Creation, translation, and distribution of educational materials, guides, and other resources for HTM/CE professionals.
• Expanding the network of HTM professionals internationally.
After the signing of the MOU, AAMI’s Vice President of HTM Danielle McGeary stated, “The signing of this MOU with the
Global Clinical Engineering Alliance is a key opportunity to bring AAMI’s HTM work to an international audience with the goal of creating international HTM standards and guidance that will further harmonize the field globally.”
According to GCEA President Yadin David, “This collaboration creates a powerful framework for advancing healthcare technology innovation, safety, and management on a global scale. Through this agreement, both organizations can strategically align their expertise and resources, enabling the development of global guidelines, best practices, and educational programs in clinical engineering across the world. Ultimately, this partnership will ensure that the global healthcare community benefits from improved medical technologies, elevated standards, and enhanced healthcare delivery systems. Our shared commitment to safety, innovation, and education will play a pivotal role in improving patient outcomes and enhancing health equity worldwide.”
A statement of work from AAMI and GCEA related to forthcoming collaborations between AAMI and GCEA is expected later this year.
Clinical Engineering (NESCE).
Day 1 – Fall 2024 CE Week
Day 1 was our day on the UCONN Storrs campus, so we took the opportunity to get outside and take a new class photo!
The rest of the day was spent in workshop-like activities. We began by sharing our course registrations and rationales behind those choices in an effort to optimize our MD Expo ex-
randomly placed in three groups that rotated through three stations – Technical criteria, Clinical criteria, and Business/ Financial criteria. Each group charted criteria they thought
sessions. Another lesson learned, our perspectives are formed by our individual experiences, values, and interests; therefore, we can enrich our perspectives by listening.
In the afternoon, we explored the process and concept be-
station with which they (individually) had the most comfort and/or confidence. Each station selected a 1st Year and 2nd Year intern to present the criteria to the larger group. A fascinating discussion ensued during which we (again) all learned something new. A third lesson learned, Forecasting, is about objectively identifying what needs to be replaced at what time and why; it is not determining how to spend a defined budget; that comes later in the process.
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UCONN Clinical Engineering students with Carol Davis-Smith
UCONN Clinical Engineering Interns Kylie Rathburn, Samantha Mihalko, Maia Baumbach, Grace Jackson
Days
2, 3, and 4
– Fall 2024 CE Week
The rest of CE Week was spent at the MD Expo New England. The exhibit hall was a first time opportunity for several UCONN CE interns to see so many vendors in one place. Because of our prep work on Day 1, they were able to make excellent use of the exhibit hall time to find answers to challenges at their hospitals. Some 2nd Year CE interns also used
sionals reception. This was an opportunity to meet new and rising leaders in the HTM/CE community in a more informal situation.
gram or if you would like to hire one of our talented students!
The next morning, it was a quick breakfast and then back into networking and educational sessions.
The Octoberfest Finale Party was an opportunity to regroup and share experiences.
Welcome New ACCE Members
UCONN Clinical Engineering Interns Grace Burns, Natale Zanellato, Samantha Mihalko, Maia Baumbach, Avery Delgado, Andre Meddar
MD Publishing and NESCE Michael Brilling, Ashley O’Mara, John Krieg, Kristin Leavoy, Samantha Moriarty
IFMBE-CED Update
Advancements in Technology for Personalized Healthcare
The evolution of healthcare, driven by technological advancements, has enabled the increasing ability to use personalized approaches to patient care. Precision medicine, another name for personalized healthcare, makes medical treatment unique to the patient’s characteristics. Subsequently, outcomes are enhanced, and resources are optimized. Personalized healthcare is grounded in the understanding that each patient is unique. Factors such as genetics, environment, lifestyle, and preferences determine the effectiveness of medical treatment. Traditional healthcare models often adopt a one-size-fits-all approach, which can lead to suboptimal outcomes for many patients. With technological advancements, healthcare providers can leverage data and analytics to create personalized treatment plans that meet individual needs. Using analytic methods and big data treatment procedures has increased the possibility of applying personalized care in health institutions. Collecting and analyzing vast amounts of patient data from electronic health records (EHRs) to genomic information enables the identification of patterns and trends useful for decisionmaking. The prediction of risk in patients may allow early interventions and preventive strategies. Clinical engineers may ensure that the supported technology and infrastructure work appropriately to enable data collection, analysis, and integrity. Genomics has revolutionized personalized healthcare by providing insights into an individual’s genetic makeup. In oncology, genetic profiling of tumors can help select targeted therapies more effective for specific cancer types. Clinical engineers ensure that the necessary equipment and software are in place to facilitate genomic testing and analysis while also addressing the challenges related to data security and patient privacy.
Telemedicine and remote monitoring technologies have significantly improved personalized healthcare delivery. Patients can consult healthcare providers without needing to visit in person, which makes healthcare more accessible. Wearable fitness trackers and smart health gadgets continuously monitor patients’ vital signs and health metrics. This provides real-time data that informs care decisions. These technologies empower patients to participate actively in their health and allow healthcare providers to monitor patients more closely Clinical engineers are instrumental in developing and maintaining these devices and ensuring their interoperability with existing healthcare systems. Clinical engineers facilitate timely interventions and personalized care plans by enabling seamless data flow between patients and providers.
As technology continues to advance, the possibilities for personalized healthcare are expanding. Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning algorithms are increasingly used to analyze complex datasets and provide insights that enhance clinical decisionmaking. These technologies can aid in predicting patient outcomes, optimizing treatment plans, and identifying potential complications before they arise. Moreover, the integration of blockchain technology holds promise for enhancing data security and interoperability across healthcare systems. By creating secure and transparent data-sharing platforms, blockchain can facilitate collaboration among healthcare providers while maintaining patient privacy.
Personalized healthcare signifies a transformative shift in delivering medical care driven by technological advancements. This approach tailors treatments and services to individual patients, enhancing the effectiveness of healthcare and improving overall outcomes. Clinical engineers are critical in this transformation, ensuring the technological infrastructure supports personalized healthcare initiatives. As we advance, adopting these innovations will improve patient outcomes and reshape the future of healthcare.
Fabiola Martinez, MS, PhD Chair, IFMBE/CED fmml@xanum.uam.mx
News from Germany: The German Biomedical Engineering Association (fbmt) 40th Conference
The Association of Biomedical Technology e. V. (fbmt) held its 39th conference on November 21-22, 2024 in Göttingen, Germany. About 160 fbmt members and interested parties, including guests from the USA, Switzerland and Italy, attended the event. Many guests of other Associations like KH-IT (Hospital CIOs) and BVMI (Medical informatics) arrived to congratulate fbmt for the 40th birthday. The theme “The Future of Medical Technology Management and Maintenance with New
Do Medical Devices Show Signs of Aging and How do they Affect Maintenance and Replacement? Binseng Wang, USA. Presentation of an Implementation Variant, Ulrich Römmelt, Switzerland
• Appreciation of 40 years of fbmt, presided by Norbert Siebold, fbmt President 2013-2021
• The conference closed with a Panel discussion on Medical Technology and IT, with panelists: Lars Forchheim (Association of Clincal CIOs), Dr. Udo Jendrysiak (Association of Medical Informatics), Joerg Manz (Siemens Healthineers), Silvia Seeger (Cybersecurity Expert) and Frank Rothe (University Hospital of Heidelberg) as moderator.
• The Nomenclature and Artificial Intelligence for Reinvestment Planning, Dr. Mayer-Guerr, emtec e.V. Frank Rothe, the newly elected fmbt president summed up: “Our conference was a complete success. Our members were particularly impressed by the first-time international participation and the high quality of the presentations. We are looking forward to strengthening our cooperation with the ACCE and hope to welcome international lecturers and participants next year again.”
Happy 40th Anniversary from ACCE
Cheers to International Collaboration
Suly Chi
Secretariat
Axel Wirth Cybersecurity Workshop Binseng Wang, Dubravka Maljevick, Ernesto Iadanza
Suly Chi and Frank Rothe
UVM-WHO Collaborating Center for Health Technology Management Update
The Collaborating Center for Health Technology Management (University of Vermont) has completed their work on the World Health Organization (Geneva) COVID-19 Respiratory Equipment Training videos project led by ACCE member Adriana Velazquez of WHO. Tobey Clark has been coordinating the video series with ACCE member Bill Gentles, involving nearly 100 contributors from over 20 countries. The 32 training videos developed are available on the WHO virtual training platform, OpenWHO, and cover 7 different respiratory care devices through the 7 life cycle phases from selection to decommissioning. The translation and adaptation of the training videos into French is complete as well as a version with Russian subtitles. Lastly, an electrical safety training video showing two testing techniques was also completed. The video shows how to use an Electrical Safety Analyze (ESA), or, for places unable to afford an ESA, an alternative low-cost testing technique is demonstrated.
There have been 26,253 enrollments between 28 February 2022 and 10 November 2024 from 189 countries in the OpenWHO Respiratory Equipment Course (18,714) and Medical Equipment Electrical Safety Course Enrolled students include those from 22 Low Income countries and 46 Lower-middle Income countries (per World Bank Country & Lending Groups). The training was complemented by YouTube videos with 9,684 total views by March 2024. The Collaborating Center was the primary scripter and videographer for the YouTube videos with the most views –“Respiratory equipment training – How to perform preventative maintenance on a patient monitor.” A paper providing complete data and lessons learned was published in the November 2024 Bulletin of the World Health Organization,
“Participatory development of training videos for respiratory equipment.” Abstracts are included in the six official WHO languages.
The Collaborating Center’s co-director, ACCE member Michael Lane, participated in the collaborative working group of twenty plus global experts in the field to revise the 2011 WHO document for CMMS systems that will be titled “Guidance on Medical Equipment Maintenance and Inventory Management Information Systems.” With collaborating partners, he wrote two chapters in the document which included Computerized Maintenance
equipment for first-level (primary) care in Jamaica has received support from the Center.
For the 5th time, the 12-week course on Healthcare Technology Planning & Management (HTP&M) developed by Tobey Clark at U. of Vermont was held on the PAHO Virtual Campus for Public Health. The course for participants from Algeria, which aligns with Algeria’s healthcare system’s needs, was completed in January 2024 and funded via a grant from United Nations Development Program. French tutors include ACCE members Rossana Rivas, Evenel Osias, and Gabriela Jiménez Moyao. In addition, the course has been translated into Spanish and Por-
maica regarding a major deployment of high-end imaging equipment throughout the country. Lastly, a project to identify and standardize devices and
In November 2024, a self-directed version of the HTP&M course was created in English for placement on the virtual campus. The course will allow more flexibility in taking the HTP&M training, and thus more students will have the ability to take the course. A second course – Introduction to Biomedical Technology, last taught in 2014 on the virtual campus, was converted to a self-directed learning course in October 2024 and is being placed on the virtual campus for technical staff in the PAHO region. The 4module course includes: Background, Patient Care Equipment, Imaging Technologies, and Advanced Equipment. The 2014 tutored course was originally funded by PAHO in 2008 and developed by the Technical Services Partnership and international collabo-
J.Tobey Clark Director, WHO Collaborating Center for Health Technology Management tobey.clark@uvm.edu,
Michael Lane ,Director, WHO Collaborating Center for Health Technology Management michael.lane@uvm.edu
Clinical Engineering Interns from Trinidad &Tobago and the USA
News from Lima, Peru: The College of Engineers of Peru - 1st International CE Congress
The College of Engineers of Peru, created on June 8th, 1962 by Law No. 14086, is a non-profit institution, representing of the engineering profession in Peru. The College is made up of engineers of different engineering specialties. The main objectives are:
1. Promote technological development through research and technology innovation, through the modernization and dissemination of experiences and successful engineering practices
2. Interact with society by comparing and analyzing its main problems and proposing comprehensive solutions
3. Contribute to the economic and social development of Peru by promoting policies for sustainability and prioritizing the use of resources and technologies.
Created in 2018, the Health Technology Management Committee leads activities to contribute to the improvement of the healthcare system of Peru. The HTM Committee has 4 Commissions:
1. Biomedical Engineering Commission-Director Luis Vilcahuaman
2. Hospital Engineering Commission-Director Alfredo Ascarate
3. Clinical Engineering Commission-Director Rossana Rivas
4. Digital Health Commission-Director Liliana Cabani
The 1st International Clinical Engineering Congress was held on the 24th and 25th October 2024, at the College of Engineers of Peru offices in Lima. It was a hybrid event with on-site attendance and Zoom and Facebook connections to Lima and the other regions of Peru.
Speakers from Latin America, UK, and USA celebrated Global Clinical Engineering Week along with the attendees. The descriptions of the conferences are given in order of appearance:
• René Mitma, President of HTM Committee at the College of Engineers of Peru-CD Lima-Peru; Clinical Engineering: Design & Construction of Hospitals
• Nana Odom, Cleveland Clinic London-UK; Investing in the Future: A Strategic Approach to Complex Medical Device Acquisition
• Elsa Arellanes,CENETEC-Mexico; Medical Equipment Inventory Management
• Beatriz Galeano, Institución Universitaria ITM-Colombia; Medical Equipment: Life Cycle Management and Replacement
• Alonso Gutiérrez, Consultant-Peru; Management of Medical Devices
• Jose Piñeyro, Consultant-Peru; Project Management of Health Facilities
• Marcelo Lencina, SABI-Argentine Society of Bioengineering-Argentina; Clinical Engineering in Argentina
• María Paula Esquivel, Susana Soto, Costa Rica Social Security Fund-Costa Rica; Clinical Engineering in Costa Rica
• Rossana Rivas, Elected Board-Clinical Engineering Division-IFMBE, Clinical Engineering Director-College of Engineers of Peru CD Lima HTM Commission-Peru; Value & Benefit of Health Technology Assessment for Medical Devices
• Tobey Clark, WHO Collaborating Center for Health Technology Management-University of Vermont-USA; Health Technology Planning & Innovation in Clinical Engineering
• Ricardo Alcoforado, Maranhão Sá, Brazilian Association of Clinical Engineering-AbeClin President-Brazil; 360° Optimization: Revolutionizing the use of Medical Technologies in Brazil
• Eduardo Toledo, Deputy Manager of Infrastructure and Maintenance-EMMSA-Peru; Management for Biomedical Equipment Within the Framework of Public Investments
• Guillermo Alva, Medical Director of Jockey Health-Peru; Panelist
The event was enriched by the presentations of students from IEEE Engineering in Medicine & Biology Society-EMBS UNMSM, IEEE Engineering in Medicine & Biology Society-EMBS UNI and was sponsored by the IFMBE Clinical Engineering Division.
Rossana Rivas, MSc, ACCE Member Co Chair-Health Level Seven-HL7 Peru, Member-Education Advisory Council-Health Level Seven International Co Chair-Health Technology Assessment Division-IFMBE rossana.rivas@upch.pe
2025 ACCE Awards Call for Nominations
Deadline: December 13th, 2024
Award Categories/Criteria:
Lifetime Achievement Award
Award Criteria: This award is the highest award given by ACCE. It is presented annually to a single individual based on lifelong accomplishments and contributions to the clinical engineering (CE) profession.
Patient Safety Award
Award Criteria: This award will be bestowed on a single individual or team who has excelled in the “safety” area related to the CE field. Potential awardees could be a national investigator of accidents, an inventor of a safety device, or an author of books on medical device hazards, etc.
Challenge Award
Award Criteria: Non-members of ACCE are eligible to be nominated for this award provided they meet the criteria for membership. A single individual will be selected based on his/her achievements in the field of medical technology within the CE field, for example, an individual who has contributed to the design of a “safe” environment or has shown significant activities in technology management and assessment.
Tom O’Dea Advocacy Award
Award Criteria: A single individual will be selected for this award, based on published articles, presentations given, and efforts led which have advanced the field of CE – especially in promoting the profession to people in other related fields.
Professional Achievement in Management / Managerial Excellence Award
Award Criteria: Nominees for this award will be evaluated on their contributions to the CE profession of a managerial nature, such as a paper of significance, solving of a problem or issue for the profession, or the application of new techniques to CE with measurable positive results. Only a single awardee will be selected.
(Continued
Professional Achievement in Technology / Professional Development Award Award Criteria: A single awardee will be selected for his/her contributions to the CE profession. These contributions must be of a professional or technical nature, such as research or development of a new technique or product, a paper of significance on a technical issue, or “trailblazing” work in a new application of clinical engineering.
Antonio Hernandez International Clinical Engineering Award
Award Criteria: This award will be presented to one CE Professional or a group of CE professionals from a country in which CE is an emerging field in recognition of that person’s or group of persons’ extraordinary contributions to the advancement of CE in his/her/their own country or, to an individual or a group of professionals from other country/ countries for his/her/their extraordinary efforts in supporting this advance.
International Organization Award
Award Criteria: This award is given to a professional organization outside of the United States and Canada that has enabled significant improvements in clinical engineering/healthcare technology management (CE/HTM) in its respective country after starting to collaborate with ACCE with the support from WHO, IFMBE, PAHO, and others.
CE-HTM Champion Award
Award Criteria: This award will be bestowed on a single individual, a health delivery system leader who has championed CE and Healthcare Technology Management (HTM) in a manner that has significantly heightened the status of the HTM profession in the U.S. and/or around the world.
Nomination Procedure:
• Complete the Award Nomination Form by December 13th, 2024.
• Self-nominations are not accepted.
Awards Presentation:
Awards will be presented at the 2025 HIMSS Annual Conference in March 2025 and/or at the 2025 AAMI eXchange 25 in June 2025. The selection committee reserves the right to make no awards in a certain category.
Click here for Previous Awards Recipients and 2024 recipients
Save the Date
The World Congress on Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering 2025 (WC2025) will be held September 29-October 4, 2025 in Adelaide, Australia.
Introducing ACCE News’ new co-editor – Jason Launders
Jason, who hails from the UK, joined ECRI’s “Health Devices” in 1998 as the diagnostic imaging specialist. Before joining ECRI, Jason worked at the University of Leeds (UK) evaluating some of the very first commercial digital x-ray systems. For many years, Jason was responsible for ECRI’s evaluations of x-ray-based and MRI systems, such as keeping track of the rapid evolution of CT from single-slice to 320-slice systems. Most importantly, he monitored radiation safety issues for ECRI members. To conduct the evaluations, Jason visited many manufacturers and healthcare facilities, as there was no way to bring the systems into ECRI’s labs.
In 2012, Jason took over the operations of ECRI’s evaluation program. In that role, he had to learn about all the other medical devices that ECRI evaluates. Managing ECRI’s skilled and enthusiastic team of engineers and scientists was a privilege.
During that time, ECRI made the big move away from the printed, and much-loved, “Health Devices” journal and migrated to exclusively online publishing. The move had many advantages, such as allowing the content to be more easily updated and expanded. However, it also made managing operations a lot more complex.
A highlight of Jason’s time at ECRI was the live webcasts, known as labtours, which many ACCE readers likely attended. The labtours aimed to support the frontline clinical and HTM staff with advice on managing medical equipment through COVID-related equipment shortages and the need for additional infection control measures. Jason pulled together panels of experts from ECRI and the healthcare community to discuss the issues and provide practical recommendations. Hosting all those weekly labtours was not something Jason expected to ever do, but it was quite an experience and a great way to engage with ECRI’s members.
Jason left ECRI in 2024 and is currently exploring options for the next phase of his career.
Jason Launders, jhlaunders@gmail.com
From the Education Committee:
During the 2nd Educational webinar session this year, Eddie Myers – National Director of Cybersecurity at Crothall Healthcare shared insights about managing the cybersecurity risks with IoMT devices. Eddie outlined the recent trends and challenges regarding cybersecurity risks with IoMT devices for healthcare organizations. One of the insightful metrics shared included that a vast majority of healthcare organizations report being impacted by cybersecurity attacks (89% experiencing an average of 43 attacks per year). Eddie also highlighted the significant security skills gap within healthcare organizations leading to compromised systems. Many healthcare organizations are facing an aging medical device fleet, with 40% of devices reported as nearing end of life. These trends make it particularly challenging to manage the security risks associated with these assets. During the session Eddie provided recommendations and shared insights about how to structure a successful medical device security risk management plan. He outlined 6 key steps to reduce cybersecurity risks with medical devices. These range from enhancing asset visibility to the importance of managing cybersecurity risks during the entire life cycle of the medical device. The session concluded with a robust Q&A covering a range of medical device cybersecurity related topics, including insights on what to look for when hiring members with a medical device cybersecurity background.
Juuso Leinonen
Session Moderator, and Education Committee co-chair , Juuso.Leinonen@crothall.com
In ACCE’s 2024-2025 Educational webinar Session 3, How Predictive Replacement Planning Saves You Money and Time, speaker Marc Schlessinger shared an insightful approach to develop a quantifiable 10-year replacement schedule in order to optimize cost, maintain operational continuity, and also use data-driven insights while streamlining supply chain efficiency. The session identified the detailed factors analyzed within the Predictive Replacement Planning (PRP) process, and how to apply those factors while aligning with organizational goals and being mindful of security efforts and how patient needs may adapt over time. Importantly, Schlessinger illustrated examples of financial savings for an organization with an applied PRP process specific to equipment types from a capital procurement and contracting standpoint. This educational session concluded by summarizing the significant benefits PRP will bring to hospitals’ capital budgeting plan and savings of capital dollars.
Angelina Chiaracane-Guthrie, Session Moderator, and Education Committee member. Angelina.Chiaracane@va.gov
From the Education Committee: (continued)
The Educational webinar series is scheduled to continue with Session 4 on December 12 covering the topic: Varying Reporting Structures of HTM/CE Departments. Register today and join this discussion with our panelists Michael Fraai, Perry Kirwan, and Ilir Kullolli.
Also, stay tuned for Session 5 on January 9, 2025 which will include a panel discussion for Accreditation Lessons Learned from Recently Surveyed Organizations. Register today and join the panelists: Richard Eliason, Jason Gibson, Denisa Lambert, Michele Manzoli and Jim Panella. Suly Chi, Webinar Coordinator, sulyc@accenet.org
2025 ACCE CE-IT Symposium (pre-HIMSS25)
Topic: Convergence of Clinical Engineering and IT Technologies - Integrating Medical Devices into Hospital Networks
Date/Time: Monday, March 3, 2025 / 8:30am 4:30pm
Location: Venetian Las Vegas /Level 2/ Bellini 2103
Description: Medical devices continue to be integrated with 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 the complementary 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 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 safe-
ty. 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!
Registration required (FREE). Click here to register
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 sign in. Once on the General Registration page, select the Chapter or Collaborator tab on the left-hand side. 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-aglance.
CCE Exam Prep: Answers
Question 3
Correct answer: A&B
Answers
Question 1
Correct answer: A & D
Explanation: Vendor service staff check-in/check-out procedures are necessary for contract monitoring, security, and safe clinical care. Setting up a weighted evaluation system is an excellent practice to clearly discuss vendor successes and failures at routine vendor meetings and drive improvements.
It is highly recommended to have CE approval for all additional services not covered by the contract, e.g. parts, and receive an estimate for work. Approval should be granted before work is started. If you have a 24x7 contract, service should be undertaken (especially for emergency repairs) as soon as equipment is available based on clinical permissions. The bottom line is the patient, not the availability of CE staff to interface with the vendor.
References:
1. Contract Performance Monitoring. (2014). Willson, K., K. Ison, S. Tabakov, Medical Equipment Management, (Chapter 9, pp. 189-190). CRC Press.
2. Post-purchase Vendor Management. (2020). S. Jacques, B. Christe, Introduction to Clinical Engineering, (Chapter 3, pp. 73-74). Academic Press.
Question 2
Correct answer: C
Explanation: The inclusion of software upgrades in manufacturer service contracts may be an advantage of this maintenance cost coverage method. CE should consider the need for upgrades for the specific clinical technology (Note: safety upgrades must be included at no cost). Also, upgrades at no or a discounted cost may be negotiated at the time of purchase.
Manufacturer service contracts are rarely the lowest cost or most flexible method of providing maintenance cost coverage. Unless a manufacturer’s service representative is onsite, the response time will be longer than in-house or local third-party service.
References:
1. P. Smithson, D. Dickey, (2020). Outsourcing Clinical Engineering Service, In E. Iadanza, Clinical Engineering Handbook, 2nd Edition, (Chapter 36, pp. 222-223), Academic Press.
2. Reviewing Options for Contract Type and Scope. (2014). Willson, K., K. Ison, S. Tabakov, Medical Equipment Management, (Chapter 9, pp. 189-190). CRC Press.
Explanation: Reimbursement to the hospital based on inhouse CE staff for performing work normally performed by an OEM is a feature provided by many quality maintenance insurance companies although the reimbursement amount varies. Generally, the reimbursement feature covers an identified set of equipment which the CE staff have been trained on. The ability to add and delete items based on end of warranty dates (add) and decommissioning of equipment (delete) is required. Quality maintenance insurance programs should also have rebates or shared savings for cooperation between the hospital and the company, clerical assistance to document work to satisfy accreditation requirements, and consulting assistance.
Maintenance assurance programs are rarely administered by one of the multi-national manufacturers. Unfortunately, the actuarial research data held by the insurance company is proprietary and not provided to the hospital.
References:
1. P. Smithson, D. Dickey, (2020). Outsourcing Clinical Engineering Service, In E. Iadanza, Clinical Engineering Handbook, 2nd Edition, (Chapter 36, pp. 224-225), Academic Press.
2. M. Hartman. (2008). Equipment Service Insurance, In L. Atles, A Practicum for Biomedical Engineering & Technology Management Issues, (Chapter 2, pp.23-25), Kendall-Hunt.
Question 4
Correct answer: A&C
Explanation: Cost of Service Ratio is an important cost benchmark for medical equipment maintenance. In addition, if failures occur on manufacturer service contract items that are not covered by the service contract, e.g. laser tubes and scintillation crystals for nuclear medicine, the cost of these repairs must be added to the overall maintenance costs. Failures during the warranty period should not result in a cost and clinical user staffing has nothing to do with maintenance.
References:
1. T. Cohen, M. Baretich, W. Gentles, (2020). Performance Monitoring and Improvement, In E. Iadanza, Clinical Engineering Handbook, 2nd Edition, (Chapter 34, pp. 224225), Academic Press.
2. Final Review and Decision-making. (2014). Willson, K., K. Ison, S. Tabakov, Medical Equipment Management, (Chapter 9, pp. 169-170). CRC Press.
J. Tobey Clark, CCE tobey.clark@uvm.edu
We are hiring: American College of Clinical Engineering (ACCE) - Secretariat
About the Role
The ACCE Secretariat is a critical position that serves as the backbone of the organization’s daily operations. You will wear many hats, providing comprehensive administrative and logistical support across various departments. This role offers a dynamic and fast-paced environment where you can contribute significantly to the success of ACCE.
Responsibilities
• Membership Management
• Support Board and Committees
• Coordinate Educational Webinars and ACCE News
• Manage collaborations & Social Media
• Support webmaster with website content, ensuring accuracy and functionality
Qualifications:
• Bachelor’s degree in relevant field (e.g., Business Administration, Communications) or equivalent experience preferred
• Proficiency in MS Office Suite, Intuit, Acrobat, Zoom,
• Working knowledge of accounting software (QuickBooks preferred)
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, demonstrating initiative and problem-solving skills
• If you are interested, or know someone that would be willing to help the ACCE, please contact Bhaskar Iduri at: contact@accenet.org
2025 ACCE Membership Renewal is due now
Thank you for being an ACCE member! ACCE Membership renewal for period January through December 2025 is due now.
• To renew your 2025 membership online with PayPal, please click here to login to your member’s account and renew via PayPal
• To renew by postal mail, please remit your renewal check (payable to ACCE) to:
ACCE/Secretariat
2880 Bicentennial Pkwy, Ste 100#249 Henderson, NV 89044
• If you need an e-invoice for online payment with QuickBooks or check, please contact ACCE Secretariat at secretariat@accenet.org
Journal of Clinical Engineering Subscriptions for ACCE Members
The Journal of Clinical Engineering is a compilation of articles, papers, and extensive manuscripts relevant to clinical/biomedical engineering or biomedical technology. Subject matter directly relates to the engineering or technology involved in patient care and treatment or technology in the broad field of health care delivery.
ACCE members receive a discounted subscription to the Journal of Clinical Engineering for only $99! (Originally $378). You must login to the ACCE website to view the code. Then visit LWW.com to enter code.
15-16 Apr
Resort, Temecula, CA