The latest Webinar Wednesday presentation drew more than 200 health care professionals for an expert look at metrology. “Why Metrology Matters in Medical Device Quality Assurance Testing” presented by Jerry Zion from webinar sponsor Fluke Biomedical began with the basics of metrology.
Zion also covered the concept of uncertainties and how they affect calibration adjustments. He examined how metrology and traceability apply to the test instruments used by HTM professionals and the medical devices upon which they make calibration adjustments.
“What is metrology? It is the science of measure and it’s a sub-field of physics,” Zion explained at the beginning of the webinar. “Metrology is an infra-technology. It’s underpinning most other technologies.”
He touched on the history of metrology dating back to the cubit used in the time of the ancient Egyptians and the construction of the pyramids.
Zion pointed out the importance of measurements and why they matter. Among the examples he used to illustrate their importance are fair trade, safety and legal requirements, interoperability, traceability and consistency.
Zion pointed out the importance of standards when it comes to measurements.
“You are really doing science when you are doing measurements in quality assurance testing, in periodic inspections. Anytime you are making a measurement on a medical device that measurement needs to be reliable in terms of what you measure and for what somebody else measures for the same parameter,” Zion said.
He said traceability is an important aspect of measurements even though it is not stressed as much as in the past. He said the best biomed departments pay close attention to traceability.
Zion also discussed accuracy, different units of measurement and more during the in-depth webinar before opening the floor to questions.
During the Q&A session, Zion answered a variety of questions and shared his email address for webinar attendees who wanted to email him additional questions.
Zion’s presentation received great reviews in the post-webinar survey.
“Having been a metrologist for the USAF for over 20 years I greatly appreciate the connection between biomedical engineering and metrology. Every parameter we measure is one that should be verified to ensure the patient is safe and treated as well as possible,” webinar attendee James H. wrote.
The overall webinar series, which has reached almost 5,500 biomeds in 2015, was also praised in the post-webinar survey.
“Your free Webinar Wednesdays are a great platform for information and keeping up with technology,” Abid K. wrote. “It promotes discovering and learning that is shared with team members to open discussions that relate to the standards/techniques we must uphold in biomedical engineering. Your sessions help to develop trust with many that often are not able to share their understanding, with others because of cultural differences, learning styles, time constraints of daily service and demands of biomedical/clinical engineers.”
“The Webinar Wednesday series is fantastic for novice and seasoned biomedical professionals alike, we can always use more knowledge,” David S. wrote. “The series also gives exposure to the technicians and companies that support our field.”
For more information about the Webinar Wednesday series, visit https://1technation.com/webinars.
