“Biomedical Engineers play a vital role in patient care. They inspect, maintain, and repair the diagnostic, monitoring, therapeutic, and life-saving medical equipment – defibrillators, ventilators, monitors, medical imaging devices, clinical laboratory equipment, infusion devices, and more. If you see one of our amazing Biomedical Technicians this week, be sure to show your appreciation for all they do.”
The blurb above is from a Central Illinois health system newsletter press release recognizing the local HTM (a.k.a. Biomed group) team that contributes in the support of their organizations patient care mission. What an awesome statement and recognition from this organization to its HTM team!
Though some may say every week should be healthcare worker’s appreciation week. The truth is the real appreciation comes from ones own experiencing the power and magnitude of their work which positively impacts the patients served. The early morning or late night work scheduling, the emergent call that sometimes finds you at lunch or break and the anxiety of a busy clinic or nursing floor when a main medical device is “down” and patients are waiting. Knowing and understanding that 99% of the daily work encountered and performed are “behind the scenes” activities of the HTM professional and is a vital role in delivering quality patient care – the true appreciation and reward of your labors.
I remember back many years ago to an event on a very late Friday afternoon of a terminally ill patient in the medical intensive care unit whose desire was to watch that year’s Super Bowl football game on a “big screen” television as opposed to the hospitals standard wall mounted picture tube set. When the call came in from the floor with this request the actions following of several team members both clinical caregivers and biomedical technicians was a resounding “YES”, we can make this happen! Within hours of the request a “big screen” plasma television was secured through the efforts of so many involved including the local BMET team and set-up in the patients room. The joy and appreciation expressed by the patient and his family was so overwhelming and personally defining to me that to this day during the annual ritual of watching the Super Bowl with family or friends, I am reminded by memory of this act of team work and collaboration in providing this gesture of compassion to the patients we serve – HTM professionals this is the true positive impact you bring each and every day as you labor in this profession of choosing and honor. HAPPY HEALTHCARE TECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT WEEK!