By AAMI
Are You Ready for Healthcare Technology Management Week?
This year’s Healthcare Technology Management (HTM) Week celebration will take place May 17-23. HTM Week is an opportunity to promote awareness of – and appreciation for – the critical work of biomedical equipment technicians, clinical engineers and other members of the HTM field.
The events for HTM Week 2020 were planned by members of AAMI’s Technology Management Council to support professional development and promote this vital career to a new generation of HTM professionals. The TMC has developed several resources and tools to help you get your celebration underway (available online at www.IamHTM.org) that include a news release template, ideas for showing support of HTM Week on social media, and the 2020 HTM Week poster that can be printed and displayed at work.
In addition, HTM Week will feature several fun contests. Contact dmcgeary@aami.org for more information and to enter:
- High School Essay contest. We have contacted high school guidance counselors and science teachers around the country to encourage their students to participate and to learn more about the field.
- Funniest HTM Story Contest. Either in writing or in a selfie-style video, tell us your most hilarious HTM work story! We will be sharing all your stories throughout HTM week. Three winners will be selected and will win up to $300 dollars in prizes.
- Creative Photo Contest. Send us creative photos to showcase the important work of your HTM department, and we’ll feature them throughout the HTM Week on social media! AAMI will buy lunch for the department with the best photo.
AAMI Selected to Host 4th ICEHTMC
The Clinical Engineering Division of the International Federation of Medical and Biological Engineering (IFMBE/CED) selected AAMI to host the 4th International Clinical Engineering and Health Technology Management Congress (ICEHTMC). In partnership with CED, ICEHTMC 2021 will be a global event focused on international knowledge sharing, global networking and increasing the visibility of the clinical engineering and healthcare technology management fields.
The Congress will take place Sept. 28-29, 2021, at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, with a call for abstracts expected in the summer of 2020. The 2019 Congress in Rome, Italy involved more than 1,000 CE and HTM leaders representing 70 different countries.
“Our mission at AAMI is to advance the safety and effectiveness of medical devices all over the world,” said Brad Schoener, vice president of innovation at AAMI. “We’re proud to be selected by and collaborate with IFMBE/CED to host this event and bring the global health technology community together.”
For more information about the event, visit www.ICEHTMC2021.com.
IT Upgrades at AAMI Improve Member Experience
AAMI’s IT staff have already completed several major upgrades last year, with many more on the horizon for 2020. One of the most visually striking technological upgrades was the AAMI Center for Excellence (ACE). The ACE, located at AAMI’s headquarters in Arlington, Virginia, is now equipped with state-of-the-art audio, visual and teleconferencing technologies. The conference room space was designed to host AAMI’s standards meetings, industry training sessions and events.
A complete redesign of the AAMI website is also underway for deployment in the first half of 2020. The modernized website will make it easier for members to find the content they want and will offer a more customized experience depending on their interests.
Behind the scenes, the IT department is also planning to launch a new association management system (AMS) and a new e-commerce solution. The AMS will help AAMI staff to more effectively provide members with the services they want, while the new online store will present a more customer-friendly shopping experience.
Finally, the AAMI IT department is also working on a new standards delivery platform that will replace the Higher Logic Workspaces software currently in use. The platform will incorporate features and functionality needed by committee members and AAMI staff to streamline meeting planning and document sharing. ALG labs are ISO/IEC 17025:2017 certified and follow applicable guidelines from the FDA and industry groups for all validation testing.
Volunteers Needed to Join HTM Groups
Here’s your opportunity to give back to the HTM community!
AAMI is seeking applications for membership on the Technology Management Council (TMC) and the Healthcare Technology Leadership Committee (HTLC). TMC and HTLC members hold three-year terms during which time they must participate in quarterly calls, join an AAMI subcommittee, give a yearly presentation promoting careers in healthcare technology management (HTM) and contribute to an AAMI publication.
The TMC provides networking opportunities for its members; advances and promotes the HTM profession to others in health care and to the public at large; and develops career and technical resources for local HTM associations, health care facilities, manufacturers and other professionals. To apply for TMC membership, visit bit.ly/2SHS4Gr.
The HTCL nurtures leadership skills among HTM professionals and aims to advance the professional interests of HTM managers and up-and-coming HTM leaders. The HTLC has developed several books and other resources and other committee projects include developing standardized job descriptions for the HTM field and uniform terms and definitions related to adverse events. To apply for HTLC membership, visit bit.ly/2SGdVh7.
AAMI Exchange IoTXperience Demonstrates the Future of the Internet of Things
The 2020 AAMI Exchange, June 12-15 in New Orleans, Louisiana, will feature an Internet of Things (IoT) forum to provide healthcare technology management (HTM) professionals with exciting informational sessions and demonstrations from experts who are defining the future of IoT – the IOTXperience.
“Last year’s IoTXperience wowed attendees with interactive sessions that explored the risks and opportunities in a future of connected medical devices,” said Sherrie Schulte, AAMI’s vice president of education. “For the 2020 AAMI Exchange, we’re excited to assemble another high-tech IoTXperience that will provide AAMI members with an informative and entertaining Exchange experience.”
For more information about the IOTXperience and register for the AAMI Exchange at www.AAMIExchange.org.
