Trans-Esophageal Echocardiology, or TEE Probes, used to create images of the heart via the esophagus, are among the most costly ultrasound devices imaging departments nationwide purchase in order to properly diagnose cardiac conditions. Each of these highly specialized probes cost $30,000 to $50,000 new from the original equipment manufacturer, making it hard for imaging departments to lower costs to patients and insurance companies. In some facilities, these probes can experience catastrophic failures every few months which further impacts costs for both facilities and patients.
“SafeTEE, a preventive maintenance program offered by Innovatus Imaging is designed to help imaging departments offset the costs of owning and operating TEE probes, and ultimately pass on savings to patients. This new and one-of-a-kind program delivers timely preventive maintenance services and assessments to identify issues that could lead to catastrophic failures before irreversible damage occurs,” a news release states. “Exclusive to Innovatus Imaging, SafeTEE has been built around nearly 40 years of data from proprietary research to identify failure rates across makes and models, timelines for replacing parts before they start to fail, and best practices for sustainable repairs that extend the life of each device.”
After repairing more than 40,000 TEE probes, Innovatus Imaging has extensive knowledge and proven processes for identifying points of wear, modes of failure, and model-specific characteristics and timelines in which anticipated damage most often occurs, the release adds. Data collected suggests that TEE probes have an annual failure rate of 65% to 100%. This translates to a catastrophic failure on each TEE probe every 12 to 18 months. Actual failure rates are dependent upon the practices in-place and the level of care and handling occurring at each facility. By addressing items of wear through preventive maintenance, TEE probe life cycles may potentially be extended, the release states..
This proprietary program is available to all facilities and will be priced according to TEE probe inventory and estimated service volume for each client, the release states.
Veteran ultrasound probe experts currently leading this program at Innovatus Imaging are Matt Tomory and Ted Lucidi.
“Innovatus Imaging is not just in the business of restoring ultrasound probes and MRI coils, we are in the business of lowering health care costs for imaging departments and ultimately patients,” said Tomory. “Our ultimate goal is to improve access to critical diagnostic services by assuring the required devices are operating as intended, and at costs that are reasonable.”
In addition to services provided under the SafeTEE program, Innovatus Imaging will provide educational webinars to facility staff employees, and process analysis reviews for individual imaging departments.
For more information about SafeTEE, visit www.innovatusimaging.com/SafeTEE or email TedL@innovatusimaging.com.