Sometimes, there can be a gap between safety efforts and the actual achievement of measurable safety. That may arise because official safety efforts are not addressing real problems, the safety efforts are not effective, or the safety-related procedures or other improvements are not actually followed. In this regard, safety-related pronouncements and “sloganeering” can easily become […]
July 12, 2018
Lena Cordie: The Strength of UDI Is in Its Adoption
A recent post on AAMIBlog asked the question, “Will Unique Device Identifiers Live Up to the Hype?” As a self-proclaimed UDI enthusiast, I would argue that, while the UDI program isn’t perfect, it is a giant step in a long-awaited and much-needed direction. I do think it will live up to the hype. First allow […]
July 5, 2018
Eben Kermit: ‘Patient Safety Begins with Me’
Editor’s note: A truncated version of this blog post will appear as the Final Word article in the July/August 2018 issue of BI&T. Before starting clinical practice, most physicians take the Hippocratic Oath, whereby they promise to uphold specific ethical standards that are often summarized as “primum non nocere” (“first, do no harm”). This fundamental […]
June 29, 2018
Robert Sayle: Let’s Talk about New Wireless Security Certifications
Hey, biomed! It’s me again, Bob in IT. I know, it’s been a while. Wi-Fi Alliance has been pretty busy this past month. Have you heard about the new wireless security certifications? They rolled out three new certifications. Well, it’s still pretty early, but I can share what we’re thinking in IT in terms of […]
May 21, 2018
Priyanka Upendra: Why You Need an HTM Compliance Program
The healthcare industry faces more regulations each year and a more aggressive enforcement environment. Healthcare technology management (HTM) services enforce their own requirements with the vendors they partner with. Because of the broad scope of services provided by HTM departments and the evolution of clinical technologies, compliance issues can flare up in minutes in the […]
April 25, 2018
William Hyman: Will Unique Device Identifiers Live Up to the Hype?
The ongoing roll out of unique device identifiers (UDIs) promises several expected benefits derived from medical devices possessing UDI codes. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently published Medical Device Safety Action Plan that describes one such benefit. The plan predicts that UDIs will provide “a mechanism to reduce medical errors by enabling healthcare professionals […]
April 24, 2018
Karen Waninger: You Are Not ‘Just’ a BMET
Whether at local, regional, or national gatherings of healthcare technology management (HTM) professionals, I’ve noticed a common misconception that people with certain job titles automatically deserve a higher level of respect. It is typical for individuals in these settings to introduce themselves by saying their name and the name of their employer. Often, the conversation […]
April 12, 2018
Eben Kermit: When Innovative Devices Test the Boundaries of Protected Health Information
I was working in my office when the phone rang from our help desk intake line. A physician needed assistance with an ultrasound device that was intermittent. This was the beginning of an hours-long situation that took me from my normal routine into a “twilight zone” and back again. Put him through, I said, and […]
April 11, 2018
Salim Kai: A Vision for HTM Leadership
Often, the words “leader” and “leadership” are mentioned casually. Have you thought for a moment about what a leader is and what real leaders do? Many leaders in our profession didn’t study leadership in school or as part of an internship. A common definition of a leader is “an individual who influences others towards achieving […]
April 6, 2018
Kenneth Maddock: Managing Your Perspective
In my current position as a quality director, I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about how we can help our teams be more successful. I’ve served in many different roles over the years, ranging from technician to vice president. In each of those positions, I had a much different view of the world. What […]
July 19, 2018
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