Healthcare technology management (HTM) professionals face a number of challenges as they make sure the equipment they maintain provides safe and effective care.
A recent survey, which includes responses from 195 hospitals across the United States, reveals what problems keep them up at night.
Ensuring that networked devices and systems work properly topped the list of medical device-related challenges, according to the results of a survey commissioned by AAMI.
The survey, the results of which appear in the September/October issue of AAMI’s BI&T (Biomedical Instrumentation & Technology) journal, found that 62 percent of those surveyed rate the networking issue as “challenging” or “extremely challenging.” Meanwhile, 52 percent name integrating data into electronic health records as their top concern. Maintaining infusion pump systems (44 percent) came in at number three.
The results reflect those seen in previous AAMI-commissioned surveys, indicating that there are no easy solutions for these ongoing complex problems. Other challenges making the list are cybersecurity, device incident reporting, recalls, spectrum and wireless management, battery management, endoscope management, and nonhospital devices being brought in by patients.
AAMI Introduces Free Series of Podcasts
Seeking to connect with healthcare technology professionals in new and creative ways, AAMI has launched a series of podcasts that will focus attention on some of the hottest issues in the field. The podcasts, developed in partnership with Healthcare Tech Talk, will cover a range of topics, including tubing misconnections, the operation of healthcare technology management (HTM) departments, and ventilator technology. The series kicked off with an interview with AAMI President Mary Logan.
“Earlier this year, I sat down with the hosts of Healthcare Tech Talk, and the idea to collaborate on this series was born,” said Logan. “We’re excited to work with the hosts of the show, Terry Baker and Kelley Hill, and welcome suggestions or interview subjects for future shows.”
To Logan, the addition of the podcasts was a natural progression for AAMI.
“We have great publications; we have great educational sessions; and we have great content,” she said. “However, people are different in terms of how they want to receive information. We weren’t maximizing all of the opportunities to disseminate content on subjects people are passionate about. These podcasts are yet another way to help our audience learn more about pressing healthcare technology challenges and patient safety issues.”
All AAMI podcasts will be available on a new page on the AAMI website: www.aami.org/news/podcast.html. Additionally, the podcasts can be accessed through three major podcast distributors: iTunes, TuneIn, and Stitcher.
Updated Guide Provides Answers to Water Quality Questions
Water is a critical component in the various stages of medical device reprocessing. How can those in charge of reprocessing devices ensure they are using water of the proper quality?
A revised technical information report (TIR) from AAMI can help. TIR34:2014, Water for the reprocessing of medical devices, addresses water treatment equipment, water distribution and storage, quality control procedures for monitoring quality, strategies for bacterial control, and environmental and personnel considerations.
Intended for personnel who reprocess medical devices and those who maintain the water treatment system, the document revises the 2007 version.
“The biggest change in this TIR is that we now have two categories of water quality: critical and utility,” said Emily Mitzel, laboratory manager at Nelson Laboratories and co-chair of AAMI’s Water Quality for Medical Device Reprocessing Working Group, which developed the TIR. “The definitions of these and how they are utilized are explained very well in the document.”
The document defines utility water as coming from the tap and usually in need of no further treatment. It is primarily used for flushing, washing, and rinsing. Critical water is treated extensively to ensure that microorganisms and inorganic and organic material are removed. It typically is used for either the final rinse or steam generation.
While the main text covers information for those involved in reprocessing, annexes provide technical information for water maintenance personnel.
“An informative annex addresses poor water quality and the impact on medical device reprocessing with pictorial examples, along with recommendations for investigation and correction,” added Jackie Daley, corporate director at LifeBridge Health in Baltimore, Md., and co-chair of the working group. “An extensive reference list is provided for further reading. Therefore, if water quality is important to you, then this TIR is a must-have reference.”