Keeping pace with today's technologically advanced industry

by The Trace Journal editorial team

Dennis Minsent has seen a whole lot of change in his 30-plus years as a clinical engineering professional. After working at medical facilities around the globe, he's spent the last six years as director of clinical technology services at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) located in Portland, Oregon.

Dennis and his staff are responsible for the maintenance of more than 33,000 medical devices from both a budgetary and a service support perspective. Today's complex, interdependent network of medical systems is vastly different from what it was just a few years ago.

How has the industry changed? And how have service management techniques kept pace with technology? What resources are available to properly support today's biomedical/clinical engineering departments?

Dennis shares his insights. + Read more.

Clinical engineering evolution ... Prove your worth ... Patient safety

Hello, Jim Orzech here. Imagine being responsible for the maintenance of over 33,000 medical devices. Dennis Minsent and his staff at Oregon Health & Science University do just that. In this issue's feature story, Minsent discusses how things are changing and how innovative approaches can help.

We thank 24x7 magazine for the thought-provoking posting in the Biomeds' best practices blog that deals with the continual need for CEs and biomeds to prove their worth. This is unfortunate but often true. How can we change this situation?

Don't miss our other articles: you could gain insight into patient safety, hospital operation, and management; learn about new trends and technology; and keep up with the regulatory and compliance environment.

Happy reading -- The Philips Healthcare Team

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Safety through innovation
Ideas for patient safety and improved work flow
by Greg Thompson - 24x7 magazine

New! American Society of Professionals in Patient Safety
Learn more and join
from National Patient Safety Foundation

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Two heads are better than one
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In each issue of The Trace Journal we publish a posting to 24x7 magazine's Biomeds' best practices blog. In this issue we select a recent posting on the need for clinical engineering departments to continually prove their worth.

It's odd that clinical engineering and biomedical engineering departments still need to prove their worth to hospital administrations despite being such an important part of the process. However, it is a reality for many departments and something that numerous managers have to deal with. + Read more.

What is EACH?

EACH is an alternative certification program designed to help you

• evaluate how your technology measures up to HHS requirements to support meaningful use and
• pursue certification of your existing EHR technology not already covered by a vendor certification.

+ Learn more.

New e-publication from the Joint Commission
The R3 Report offers rationale and research behind new requirements
by Elizabeth Eaken Zhani - TheJointCommision.org