Focus on: Southern Baptist Hospital Biomedical Electronics Department.

This paper describes the Biomedical Electronics Department at Southern Baptist Hospital, New Orleans, LA. The department, organized in January 1986, was established to replace an existing department which was operated under contractual agreement with a clinical equipment management company. The Biomedical Electronics Department is responsible for the preventive maintenance and repair of over 3,500 pieces of equipment, in areas ranging from dialysis to radiology and from communications to computers. The management and approval of all service contracts are handled by the department. Additional responsibilities include equipment inventory control, radio paging and nurse call system maintenance, and control of all time-and-materials services provided by biomedical equipment vendors.     

International Scientific Conference on Physics and Radio Electronics in Medicine and Ecology (PhREME’2020)

Biomedical Engineering - The papers in this section are based on reports made at the XIVth International Scientific Conference on Physics and Radio Electronics in Medicine and Ecology...     

Biomedical engineering--education & industry: an Australian perspective

Biomedical Engineering education requires a multidisciplinary approach. To achieve satisfactory results from biomedical undergraduate courses, the development of longer programmes incorporating the life sciences and formal hospital or scientific and medical industry-based clinical experience programmes is needed. The B.Sc./B.E. five-year, combined-degree satisfies these requirements. Undergraduate programmes should be supported by parallel postgraduate programmes. A postgraduate engineering master's programme, by coursework and minor thesis, formulated in collaboration with professional groups and designed to be presented within a hospital or scientific medical industry environment, is required by industry. These education programmes need to be supported by a research (Ph.D and engineering master's with major thesis), hospital and industry infrastructure, which may take the form of a "Centre for Biomedical Engineering."     

Ecology and Human Health: Medical Technology Aspects

Biomedical Engineering - We present here a brief review of the lines of research presented at the section Ecology and Human Health of the XIVth Conference on Physics and Radio Electronics in...     

In-house development of test equipment for quality control and training. Case study: a prototype ECG simulator-tester

The support services for biomedical technology address a variety of technical and administrative issues, concerning the safe and efficient operation of medical equipment over the period of its intended use and the training of hospital personnel in issues concerning safety and quality. Clinical Engineering Departments undertake the responsibility of developing and operating training programs in medical equipment utilisation apart from the traditional role of training and supervising technicians involved in testing, calibration and preventive/corrective maintenance of electromedical equipment. In view of the above, the Institute of Biomedical Technology and the Centre of Biomedical Engineering collaborated for the design and development of a prototype digital ECG and arrhythmia simulator. In the absence of internationally accepted inspection protocols for ECG simulators, the verification phase of the project involved mainly the inspection of the device's conformity to its initial technical specifications. The results demonstrated that this tester, due to simplicity in construction and easiness of use could be a practical, reliable and economical solution for electrocardiograph and ECG monitor testing and waveform recognition training.     

In-house development of test equipment for quality control and training. Case study: a prototype ECG simulator-tester

The support services for biomedical technology address a variety of technical and administrative issues, concerning the safe and efficient operation of medical equipment over the period of its intended use and the training of hospital personnel in issues concerning safety and quality. Clinical Engineering Departments undertake the responsibility of developing and operating training programs in medical equipment utilisation apart from the traditional role of training and supervising technicians involved in testing, calibration and preventive/corrective maintenance of electromedical equipment. In view of the above, the Institute of Biomedical Technology and the Centre of Biomedical Engineering collaborated for the design and development of a prototype digital ECG and arrhythmia simulator. In the absence of internationally accepted inspection protocols for ECG simulators, the verification phase of the project involved mainly the inspection of the device's conformity to its initial technical specifications. The results demonstrated that this tester. due to simplicity in construction and easiness of use could be a practical, reliable and economical solution for electrocardiograph and ECG monitor testing and waveform recognition training.     

A proposed computer-assisted preventive maintenance system

This paper describes a proposed Computerized Documentation System for effectively controlling all biomedical equipment preventive maintenance (PM) and repair functions to be effected by hospitals. There is a critical need for such a system to strengthen the management tools of hospital-based Biomedical/Clinical Engineering programs. The system's design objectives, implementation, and evaluation method are explained and the benefits attributable to such a computerized control system are summarized.     

Attitudes of general practitioners to prehospital thrombolysis

The aim of the study was to investigate attitudes of rural Irish General Practitioners (GPs) to prehospital thrombolysis. Postal questionnaires were sent to all General Medical Service (GMS) GPs in the former Western and North Western Health Board regions of Ireland, whose practices were 20km or greater from the nearest acute hospital with a coronary care unit. The response rate was 61% (117/191). 95% were convinced of the benefits of thrombolytic treatment in acute myocardial infarction. 92%/ believed that there were additional benefits of thrombolysing in the community at the earliest opportunity. 89% were not willing to use prehospital thrombolysis without further training.The study demonstrated that the majority of rural Irish GPs are convinced of the benefits of prehospital thrombolysis and are willing to administer it. The need for further training on prehospital thrombolysis is a key issue that must be addressed before rural Irish GPs are willing to provide more widespread prehospital thrombolysis.     

Role of the Biomedical Engineering Department in William Beaumont Hospital's technology assessment process

Biomedical/Clinical Engineering Departments with expertise in engineering and technology management have a vital role to play in determining the potential for implementation and cost effectiveness of new medical technologies through technology assessment. Technology assessment offers the essential bridge between basic research and development and the prudent practical applications of medical technology. Because of the recent explosion of healthcare technologies, it is almost impossible for any single individual to stay abreast of these new technologies, much less provide an adequate assessment. To meet this need for comprehensive technology assessment, a multidisciplinary team approach is desirable. This paper deals with the assessment of medical technologies in a hospital environment and explores the possible roles biomedical engineering departments can play in the technology assessment process. It shares the experiences of the Biomedical Engineering Department of William Beaumont Hospital, a major, tertiary-care teaching institution currently involved in the technology assessment process utilizing a multidisciplinary team approach.     

基于Matlab环境的脑控轮椅搭建与实验验证

目的基于脑电(electroencephalography,EEG)的脑控轮椅(brain-controlled wheelchair,BCW)能够为无法通过四肢操控轮椅运动的严重肢体残疾或运动障碍患者提供辅助,满足日常移动或出行需要。本文以兼顾系统性价比和准确率为研究目的,采用便携脑电放大器,搭建一个基于Matlab环境的BCW系统,并验证系统的可行性和实用性。方法首先搭建一个基于稳态视觉诱发电位(steadystate visual evoked potential,SSVEP)的BCW系统,系统主要包括脑电刺激、采集与处理,以及轮椅控制两大部分,用户无需长期训练即可通过脑电控制轮椅的运动状态。然后招募3名健康受试者进行系统分类准确率验证实验和预设路径控制验证实验。其中,分类准确率验证实验要求受试者按照语音提示指令,注视对应刺激闪烁块以得到分类结果;预设路径控制验证实验要求受试者完成3个轮椅既定路线控制任务。实验后填写问卷调查衡量本系统的控制难度、受试者舒适度和疲劳程度。结果比较提示指令与分类结果得到系统分类准确率为97%±1%。路径控制实验中受试者均能控制轮椅按照预设路径运动到目的地,且获得用时、实际路径长度、命令个数、时间优化率、路径优化率等指标。结论本文搭建的基于Matlab环境的SSVEP-BCW系统分类准确率较高,控制效果和控制舒适度较好,具有一定的实用性。     

Productivity and cost-effectiveness of clinical engineering.

Finances have become the dominant concern of hospital administrators and department heads. Clinical Engineering (CE) can make significant contributions to the financial health of a hospital by increasing CE departmental productivity and by improving the utilization of resources in clinical departments. Several measures of productivity and cost-effectiveness have been applied to the Biomedical Engineering Department of the University Medical Center. The Department provides a wide range of technical services that are integrated into the clinical and administrative activities of the hospital. The Department has accumulated data regarding the financial benefits provided to the hospital, and the data reveal significant savings which show that CE can be viewed as a cost-effective investment. The greatest savings occur in capital equipment acquisition (selection and installation) and maintenance, and result from CE involvement in clinical activities and administrative decision making.     

A computerized hospital maintenance system.

The Biomedical Instrumentation Department at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital maintains most of the clinical equipment owned by the hospital and provides support to six other hospitals, as well. In order to document these services, a computerized support system has been developed. This system maintains the inventory of equipment, documents the occurrence of repair and preventive maintenance procedures, generates lists of items due for maintenance and inspection, and prints reports and summaries of all activities performed by department staff. The system was designed for ease of use and requires a minimum of training for personnel who use it.     

新工科理念下“生物医学工程专业”PBL模式教学改革研究

生物医学工程学是我国处于医疗卫生转型时期重点建设的前沿交叉学科,急需培养一批同时具备生物医学和工程学的高端技术人才。基于新工科理念下培养工程技术人才的需要,高校应基于PBL教学理念,从问题出发,以解决问题为驱动力,强调学习过程和团队协作能力,全面培养学生自主学习、实践和创新思维能力,建立起培养新工科理念下的高端工程技术人员为目标的教学模式。     

An evaluation of the hospital component of general practice vocational training.

The contribution of the hospital component of vocational training to the needs of the future general practitioner was investigated by undertaking semi-structured interviews with a representative sample of doctors involved. The findings indicated that, in general, training was failing to address objectives perceived to be important for general practice by the study sample. Problems related to the context and style of hospital training also emerged, which appeared to be limiting the learning potential of this type of experience for general practitioner trainees. It is apparent that there is a need to clarify priority objectives for the hospital component of vocational training, and ensure that it provides the opportunity to achieve them.     

The evolution of an in house biomedical department

The Biomedical Instrumentation Services Department (BIS) at City of Hope Medical Center has been in a continuous process of development since its beginning in 1969. Its initial formation was based on a need for consolidation of repair services, the necessity of a strong engineering program to support clinical activities, and the need for instrumentation planning support. With the advent of cost containment, the department has been required to become more business oriented by streamlining organization, providing technician training, and developing income alternatives to reduce net operating cost. All of this was to be accomplished in a high-technology, rapidly-changing, competitive industry. The demands upon the department parallel the demands upon the entire health care industry today.     

医学影像学专业《医学影像电子学》教学改革探讨

目的：医学影像学专业的《医学影像电子学》是从电子电路的分析、设计、仿真与调试出发,面向医学影像设备操作、安装与维修,开发与设计而设置的。文章针对这门课程实践性高的特点,鉴于目前的教学现状,提出了理论教学和实验教学的改革方法。方法：课程设置了理论教学,实验教学,课程设计,电子技术实训四个教学环节。应用计算机多媒体技术、网络技术、计算机辅助教学,自主开发研制了与教材相配套的多媒体教学课件实现《医学影像电子学》理论教学,增加了课程综合设计这一考核方式。将传统的硬件电子学实验与利用计算机软件进行的仿真实验有机地结合起来方法进行《医学影像电子学》实验教学。结果：实验教学采用软件与硬件相结合的的实验方式,精心设计了针对性和实用性较强的10个学习情境,3个综合实训项目,保证了实验教学质量充实了课程教学资源,激发了学生学习兴趣和创造性思维能力,提高了教学质量。结论：实践证明,《医学影像电子学》教学方法的改革得到了学生的认可,减轻了实验课时少、实验室条件紧张等困难,为实验过程延伸到理论课堂和课后创造了有利的条件。这种教学改革值得在其它院校《医学影像电子学》教学中进行推广。     

The U.S. health care system: challenges for the academic health professions community.

The author discusses the need to create structural reforms in the nation's health care system, built around a consensus on workable, affordable solutions, the first of four needs in this area, and presents a set of principles that must frame the debate on health care reform (e.g., that health care must be accessible to all Americans). He also presents practical options that address the United States' most urgent health care concerns (e.g., making the cost of health insurance more affordable for small businesses). The second need is to preserve and strengthen the nation's biomedical research enterprise; the author outlines steps that are already under way to deal with this need (e.g., the development of a Biomedical Research Initiative in the Public Health Service and the allocation of funds for various research-connected activities). The third need is to increase the participation of minority youth in science and the health professions; the author outlines steps that are being taken to encourage such participation (e.g., helping historically black colleges and universities and funding training programs for training minority professionals in health care). The last need discussed is to foster a culture of character: empowering citizens to take control of their own lives to eliminate costly debilitating illness before it strikes. For all these needs to be addressed successfully, it is crucial that the involvement of the academic health professions community and the community at large be expanded.     

Focus on: Watsonville Community Hospital Biomedical Engineering Department.

The Journal of Clinical Engineering is pleased to present this FOCUS on the Biomedical Engineering Department of Watsonville Community Hospital (Watsonville, CA). Since the Department's inception in 1983, the growth of the hospital and the surrounding area has resulted in the expansion of the Department and its duties. This paper describes the responsibilities of the two-man Biomedical Engineering Department, which serves this 130-bed hospital and oversees the preventive maintenance and repair of approximately 800 pieces of equipment. In addition, the Department is involved with staff education, equipment inventory control, new equipment purchases, technical consultations, and special projects.     

Behavioral preparation for surgery: Benefit or harm?

Elective surgery patients were prepared for surgery with training in muscle relaxation or with information about sensations they would experience. Relaxation reduced hospital stay, pain, and medication for pain and increased strength, energy, and postoperative epinephrine levels. Information reduced hospital stay. Personality variables (denial, fear, aggressiveness) were associated with recovery and influenced patients' responses to preparation. Less frightened patients benefited more from relaxation than did very frightened patients. Nonaggressive patients reacted to information with decreased hospital stay along with increased pain, medication, and epinephrine. Aggressive patients responded to information with decreased hospital stay along with decreased pain, medication, and epinephrine. Patients using denial were not harmed by preparation. A catharsis/moderation model is proposed to explain how information benefits patients. An active coping model is proposed to explain the benefits of relaxation. This study suggests that behavioral preparation benefits even frightened, aggressive, or denying elective surgical patients.     

Who,what, where,when, why and how: Technology assessment in a hospital setting

Biomedical engineers have long seen that they have a role in the fields of equipment planning and technology assessment. This role has not been universally understood. Through sustained efforts we have shown that we can contribute to and should be involved in equipment planning. Efforts are now under way to demonstrate the need for and the role that biomedical engineering can play in technology assessment and ultimately in strategic planning. The paper examines the Canadian health-care scene within the context of the Province of British Columbia, and more specifically the opportunities and challenges in the fields of technology management presented to an in-house biomedical engineering group at a hospital society in Greater Vancouver.