Calendar of Events

May 8-12 - AAMI 28th Annual Meeting & Exposition in Boston MA.

May 17 - PAMIA Meeting at ECRI. Presentation will be a discussion of device tracking as required under the Safe Medical Device Act of 1990.

May 26 - Anesthesia Machine Workshop. Sponsored by CESP and MEPCIS. See details below.

June 14 - PAMIA Meeting at Hewlett Packard. Presentation will be on transesophogeal echocardiography (TEE). Both clinical and technical issues will be covered.

SEE MEETING ANNOUNCEMENTS ON LAST PAGE

Message from the President

One of the hottest news issues today hits home in a big way. Healthcare costs have been skyrocketing for years. Yet, for whatever reason, hospitals seem to be targeted now for reform.

Any large organization, at any given time, will probably have some inefficentcies, by sheer human nature it's almost inevitable. If the "witch hunt" gets underway, problems WILL be found. Recognizing these problems, whether few or many, unique to particular institutions or nationwide, trivial or serious, can potentially go a long way in helping to reduce the costs and efficiency of health care services.

What scares me is the possible negative effect of a "witch hunt". The public opinion, which seems to be easily manipulated by the media, could possibly shift negative against hospitals. The millions of health care workers in hospitals and related fields, who are very dedicated, and whose jobs are actually their lifestyle, don't deserve such treatment.

What will PAMIA's role be during this coming period of inevitable change? How can the Clinical/Biomedical Engineering field assist in the effort to change the course of health care? To what degree could coming changes affect our field?

Already, PAMIA Members are developing their own opinions. Something of this scope certainly warrants a roundtable discussion. The PAMIA Executive Board, over the next few months, will investigate the possibly of conducting such a session. If you have any ideas that would make such an endeavour a success, please contact a member of the board.

Lou Schonder
1993 PAMIA President

PAMIA Meeting Summaries

March

The meeting, held at MEDIQ/PRN, featured a presentation on ventilators by Tom Keating of Puritan Bennett. Tom went over some of the basics about different ventilation parameters and some of the complications that occur with the use of a ventilator. Some of the problems discussed were patient/ventilator asynchrony, endotracheal tube placement problems, suctioning, uneven ventilation, barotrauma, pneumothorax, and arterial hypotension. He also discussed some of the issues involved with weaning a patient off of a ventilator. An interesting "history of ventilators" slide show was also presented. The fifty plus attendees were then treated to a tour of MEDIQ's new facilities.

April

The three recipients of the PAMIA Academic Achievement Awards were interviewed by the PAMIA Executive Committee and former PAMIA and CESP President Mike Soltys to determine the first ever recipient of the PAMIA Excellence Award (see article elsewhere in this issue).

The general membership meeting started with a short introduction by Patrick Philbin of GHS Technology Management, Inc. Pat explained the transition of Graduate's non profit biomed department into a for profit shared services operation, and the logic and motivation behind the move.

PAMIA Vice President Randy Libros unveiled a course, at CCP this fall, targeted for those in the field seeking continuing education (more details elsewhere in this issue), and introduced the winners of the PAMIA Academic Achievement Awards (you guessed it ... elsewhere in this issue).

The technical presentation was given by Don Curtis of Ultraserv, a third party provider of ultrasound imaging support. Don explained fundamental theory of ultrasound wave propagation, and various quality assessment parameters such as axial and lateral resolution measurement.

Ultraserv provides a variety of services to support diagnostic ultrasound. For more information, contact Don Curtis at (800) 231 6731.

The Exit Poll

What did you think of the last two meetings? Send your comments to Alan Barbell at ECRI, 5200 Butler Pike, Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462. Fax me at 215-834-1275, or send me E-mail on ECRINet.

Congratulations Ira

In the February 22-28 1993 issue of the Philadelphia Business Journal, PAMIA's own Ira Tackel was honored by being named as one of the top 40 rising business leaders in the Delaware Valley who are under 40 years old. The Business Journal selected the forty from nominations that were sent in by the Journal's readers. The article features a picture of Ira and a short biography, which demonstrates the value of clinical engineering. Congratulations Ira!

PAMIA Awards for 1993

In recognition of achievement and excellence of students in Biomedical programs, PAMIA has established the following awards:

PAMIA Academic Achievement Award given to the three graduating students in a Biomedical program with the highest grade point averages. Award recipients receive a one year free membership to PAMIA.

PAMIA Excellence Award Recipients of the PAMIA Academic Achievement Awards are interviewed by the PAMIA Executive Committee to determine the student who best exemplifies the qualities of professionalism, communications skills and technical knowledge that are necessary for success in the field. Recipient receives a plaque and a $100 check.

The 1993 recipients from are:

PAMIA Academic Achievement Awards:

Steven Gardner, Sean Ward, Trajan Davis

PAMIA Excellence Award:

Sean Ward

Congratulations to these individuals!!!

Award Winner!

A hearty congratulations to Jim Keller of ECRI on his being awarded the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation's Biomedical Engineering Achievement Award! Recommended by former ECRIte Ben Muskin for the many contributions he has made to biomedical engineering, Jim is the first engineer from ECRI to win the award which is presented to individuals who have made a substantial contribution to biomedical engineering. Jim's nomination was approved by a prestigious panel of representitives from medicine, engineering, and industry. The award and prize money will be presented at a special luncheon during the AAMI conference in May.

(Reprinted courtesy of Inside ECRI)

The PAMIA Lounge

Don't forget about PAMIA's very own computer bulletin board, set aside on ECRINet, ECRI's bulletin board. The PAMIA section can be found by selecting Conferences <C>, and then section <6> for the PAMIA Lounge. Access to the board is simple. First, get a PC, a modem, and appropriate terminal software. Set your software for N-8-1 (no parity, 8 bit word length, and 1 stop bit). ECRINet can handle any baud rate up to 14.4K baud. To logon, dial 215-825-9284 with your modem. If you haven't logged on before, the system will prompt you through the logon process, and you will be asked to select a password. That's all there is to it. You can then have direct contact with other biomeds and clinical engineers across the US and Canada. If you haven't logged on yet, do it! It's fun and informative (and Kevin Carpenter wants the company).

PAMIA PHEEDBACK!!!

In each issue of the PAMIA Newsletter, objective topics are presented, offering the PAMIA Membership the opportunity to reply with opinions. Feedback ranging from simple votes to editorials are encouraged. Anonymous replies are acceptable. Topics for future "PAMIA PHEEDBACK" is appreciated.

Last Issue's Topic:

Do you think that a standard dress code for biomedical/clinical engineers/technicians in hospitals would improve their professional recognition?

(Topic submitted by Thomas J. Gilroy, Jr. CBET, Lankenau Hospital)

Replies:

Departments should coordinate their dress among themselves.

(Anonymous reply)

Recently, I passed my CBET exam, and with the certificate came a patch and lapel pin. I wondered how others would view the wearing of this patch. I figured the response of some would be, "Hey look, he's wearing a nerd badge!" and I was right. However, the biggest response I received were questions. I was repeatedly asked, "What does that patch stand for?" I felt as if I was beginning to educate others in the medical field who "Biomed" really was. I decided to encourage others in my department to do the same and measure their own responses.

Several years ago, before I joined the biomedical group at Lankenau Hospital, one of our senior technicians, realizing a need for recognition, persuaded management to buy lab coats for the department. I think this person was ahead of his time in thinking and realizing that we, as biomedical professionals, were not receiving our just due. When I first arrived I did not have a labcoat, and when i did receive one, I didn't feel like wearing it. When I did though, I noticed a different respect from the nursing and medical staff. I sometimes lapse into not wearing it on the floor, which causes people to ask, "Where's your smurf jacket?" (our color is a light blue). This reminds me that people DO notice.

I wish we could establish a dress code of sorts for our profession. While some of us work in our shirt and tie, others wear jeans and golf shirts, still others are wearing maintenance uniforms. The most intelligent choice I have seen is that of wearing surgical type scrubs. I believe this eliminates the fashion crunch, and make good sense for quicker entry into surgical areas. I also believe it is a good infection control tool, and let's not forget it is tax deductable!

Thomas J. Gilroy, Jr. CBET, Lankenau Hospital

This issue's topic:

Board level vs. component level repair. Which way do you lean, and why?

Topic submitted by Lou Schonder, CITECH

Replies are targeted for July/August Issue #10

The success of "PAMIA PHEEDBACK!!!" depends upon you! It's very easy to place as little as a simple vote to reply. DO IT TODAY!!! Put it off, and you'll forget. Anonymous replies can be accepted. Do your part. Keep PAMIA Pheedback alive. Our forum to poll opinion in our area can be a very valuable tool, if we use it!!!

How to Submit Articles to the PAMIA Newsletter

Submissions of whole articles or just ideas can be sent to Alan Barbell or Lou Schonder at 5200 Butler Pike, Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462. Fax: 215-834-1275. Or, you can send E-mail on ECRINet. Do you have any original ideas for the newsletter? Don't be bashful! Call!

Anesthesia Machine Workshop

This workshop is specifically designed for technicians and other technical personnel who want an appropriate introduction to the principles and procedures of anesthesia machine support. For technical personnel who are already involved with anesthesia machine support, the program will serve to enhance existing and current policies and procedures.

The course is limited to a registration of 40 participants. The cost of the course is $75. For more information or a registration form contact Greg Swigart at Easton Hospital's Biomedical Engineering Department, (215) 250-4020.

Jobs Open Looking for People

The following postings were posted on ECRINet.

Msg#:26728 *JOBS* 04 19 93 15:24:17 From: JOHN BUCK To: ALL Subj: SERVICE ENGINEER Wanted: Service Engineer 2

Responsibilities:

R&F Maintenance

Qualifications: 3 5 years vendor experience, preferably GE. CT Scanner or MRI experience desirable.

Send Resume to Grand LaFleur, 1 St. Mary Place, Shreveport, LA 71101 or call 1 800 533 9121.

Salary negotiable.

Msg#:26561 *JOBS* 04 08 93 17:13:44 From: STAN TROJANOWSKI To: ALL Subj: BMET OPENING IN CHARLESTON S.C. Looking for a BMET with at least 2 years experience in the field and preferrably having Ventillator/Respiratory Therapy Equipment exposure. Position is in Medical University of South Carolina Hospital . Salary 29 to 35k, all benefits with State of S.C. Employee status. Moving cost not guaranteed. Available May 1,1993. Contact STAN TROJANOWSKI 803 792-3988

Msg#:26376 *JOBS* 03 29 93 10:07:12 From: ELMER PERRY To: ALL Subj: EMPLOYMENT OPENING Grady Memorial Hospital located in Atlanta, Ga. is presently looking for a Senior Biomedical Technician with 5 years experience and either certified or able to be certified within 6 months of employment. This is a supervisory position and requires excellent written and verbal communication skills.

We are a 1025 bed inner city hospital with 4 nieghborhood clinics and a 150 bed childrens hospital. As if this wasnt enough we are also undergoing a $320,000,000 renovation which is including nearly $100,000,000 in new equipment.

If you are interested please send your resume to: Grady Memorial Hospital 80 Butler st. N.E. Atlanta, Ga. 30335 Attn: Human Resources Dept.

Msg#:26363 *JOBS* 03 26 93 15:15:35 From: RICK HAMPTON To: ALL Subj: CLINICAL LAB TECH POSITIONS SERVICE PROFESSIONALS

HCA Biomedical Services has immediate opportunities for specialized individuals with 5+ years of Clinical Laboratory service experience. Demand from our 73 medical/surgical facilities has also created opportunities for individuals with a minimum of 5 years experience and manufacturer training in the areas of:

* General Bio Medical * Respiratory Therapy

Service professionals on our team work with the latest tools, test gear, newest technology and on going training.

For further information, contact Rick Hampton at (800) 251 2561 Ext. 2582 or send resume in strict confidence to: Hospital Corporation of America Attention: Staffing/JC P. O. Box 550 Nashville, TN 37202 0550

Equal Opportunity Employer

Msg#:26362 *JOBS* 03 26 93 15:14:09 From: RICK HAMPTON To: ALL Subj: IMAGING TECH POSITIONS SERVICE PROFESSIONALS

HCA Biomedical Services has immediate opportunities for specialized individuals with 5+ years of Philips Imaging service experience. Demand from our 73 medical/surgical facilities has also created opportunities for individuals with a minimum of 5 years experience and manufacturer training in the areas of:

* M.R. * C.T. * Nuclear Medicine * Ultrasound * X Ray

(see the information from the previous posting from Rick Hampton for address information. Ed.)

Msg#:26157 *JOBS* 03 08 93 08:54:20 From: ROD KOPPENHOEFER To: ALL Subj: CRES, RADIOLOGY TECH. I am budgeting for a new position to start in the fall of 1993. This position will be to help implement an In House Radiology Service program. Anyone that has the CRES certification, or significant Radiology experience, please contact me to discuss relevant issues. I.E. salary, availability, requirements, ect. This will help with the budget process. Thanks. Rod Koppenhoefer Manager, Clinical Engineering Services BroMenn Healthcare Normal, IL 309 454 0774

Msg#:26349 *JOBS* 03 25 93 16:17:57 From: KEVIN CARPENTER To: MED MAINTENANCE Subj: REPLY TO MSG# 26342 (EMPLOYMENT) Our Health System will be opening at least two Clinical Engineering departments in the next 6 to 12 months. We provide general biomedical services as well as X Ray, lasers, ultrasound, and anesthesia. I can't say if (or when) we will have postions open, but we are growing. If interested your techs can send Resumes to me at the address below: GHS Technology Management Clinical Engineering Kevin Carpenter, Service Manager 1 Graduate Plaza Philadelphia, PA 19146

Voice: (215) 893 2658 Fax: (215) 896-2617

Msg#:26273 *JOBS* 03 18 93 12:30:42 From: BILLIE HUTSON To: ALL Subj: TECH III POSITION The Orlando Regional Healthcare System currently has two Biomedical Equipment Technician III positions available. The successful candidate should have an AAS degree with 6 years experience (non AAMI certified) or 4 years experience with AAMI certification. If you have questions please call me at (407)841 5111 ext 5910 or Kathy Ramsey, Dept. Mgr. at ext. 6532 or send your resume to: Orlando Regional Healthcare System 1414 S. Kuhl Ave. Orlando, Fl 32806

Attn. Human Resources Dept/Linda Walker

People Open Looking for Jobs

Msg#:26245 *JOBS* 03 16 93 13:33:26 From: CHIEF HAAS To: ALL Subj: EMPLOYMENT I am looking for a BioMedical Engineering Supervisor position in the Minnesota region. I will be leaving the Navy after 21 years and desire to move back to Minnesota. I am currently the Department Manager of BioMedical Engineering at the National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland. My name is Robert Haas and I can be reached at 301 295 5513/4/5/6 or by Fax at 301 295 1720 .

Msg#:26451 *JOBS* 04 02 93 10:42:08 From: PHILIP CAMILLOCCI To: ALL Subj: POSITION WANTED 15 years experence as a Biomed. Currently working as a Senior Technician/Area Service Manager for an ISO. Associate Degree Biomedical, working on B.S. EE/Computer Science. Honor Graduate Army Biomedical School. Strong background with management skills. Willing to relocate as needed, can travel as needed. Please contact me at 615 869 8607.

Msg#:26423 *JOBS* 03 31 93 16:20:32 From: ALAN LIPSCHULTZ To: ALL EMPLOYERS Subj: BMET POSITION WANTED Biomedical Technology student to graduate with honors in May 1993. Former Nuclear reactor operator (Electronic Technician 2nd Class) in USN. Strong and extensive electronic background. Seeks full time position in Biomedical field or electronics industry. Will relocate. Contact David Smith at 609 784 2199 (Southern NJ area).

Msg#:26294 *JOBS* 03 21 93 20:19:17 From: TOM NICOLARDI To: ALL Subj: BIOMEDICAL POSITION WANTED I am looking for a supervisory or senior biomedical position in the Phila area. I have approximately 13 years experience in the field. I had my own business and started an in house program at St. Joseph's Hospital. I have two associate degrees in electronics. Please call (215) 969 8712 and ask for Tom or leave a message on this BBS. Thank you. Tom Nicolardi

The Wave of the Future?

ELEC 301 LIGHT AND OPTICS IN BIOMEDICAL DEVICES AT COMMUNITY COLLEGE OF PHILADELPHIA

The course will focus on the properties of light and how these properties are utilized in applications such as lasers, fiber optics, spectrophotometers, pulse oximeters, etc.

Emphasis will be on practical and useful information, including operating principles, troubleshooting tips, and how to get the damn thing opened!

This is a course for individuals working in the field or who have an associate degree in biomedical engineering.

COURSE WILL BE OFFERED THIS COMING FALL

For more information, contact Randy Libros at CCP, (215) 751 8318.

Merlin Seminar in Valley Forge

Hewlett Packard is offering a four (4) day Component Monitoring and Component Central Monitor class at their Valley Forge facility from July 6th thru July 9th.

Key Topics include: System Architecture, Board Layout, Diagnostics, Error Code Interpretation, Software Configuration and Troubleshooting.

The seminar, which costs $1600, is limited to 12 people, and will be filled on a first come, first served basis.

To register, please contact Charlie Mullaney, (800) 548 8833 no later than June 30th, 1993.

Medical Laser Courses

Rockwell Laser Industries is offering the following courses in Cincinnati during the month of May:

Medical Laser Maintenance Fundamentals of Medical Laser Equipment Laser Safety Officer / Administration Laser Safety Officer / Hazard Analysis

For more information, contact Judy Johnson, (407) 823 9165

PAMIA 1993 Executive Committee

President ............................. Lou Schonder CITECH (215) 825 6700

Vice President ........................ Randy Libros Community College of Philadelphia (215) 751 8318

Secretary ............................. Alan Barbell ECRI (215) 825 6000

Treasurer ............................. Shri Chaudhary Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (215) 662 2330

Member at Large ....................... Kevin Carpenter GHS Technology Management, Inc. (215) 893 2658

Member at Large ....................... Jim Marsala Jefferson Biomedical Shared Services (215) 335 6094

Member at Large ....................... Gail Robinson Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (215) 662 2330

Past President ........................ Henry Hamarman Abington Memorial Hospital (215) 576 7555

PAMIA Philadelphia Area Medical Instrumentation Association

May Meeting

SMDA Medical Device Tracking

Marge de Marteleire, of ECRI, will present a talk that will provide an overview of user reporting and device tracking requirements, and how to comply with SMDA requirements.

When: Monday, May 17, 1993

Where: ECRI 5200 Butler Pike Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462

Schedule: 5:45 - 6:30 pm Executive Staff Meeting 6:30 - 7:15 pm Dinner - Courtesy ECRI 7:15 - 7:30 pm Business Meeting 7:30 - 9:00 pm Medical Device Tracking

R.S.V.P. by Wednesday May 12th, to Alan Barbell at (215) 825-6000 ext 148, or Lou Schonder at (215) 825-6700 ext 540.

Please duplicate and distribute this notice to all members and interested parties in your department/institution.

June Meeting

Transesophogeal Echocardiography

Mark Filerman, a Hewlett Packard Design Engineer, will give a presentation on transesophogeal echocardiography (TEE).

When: Monday, June 14, 1993

Where: Hewlett Packard 2750 Monroe Blvd. Valley Forge, PA 19482

Schedule: 5:45 - 6:30 pm Cocktails - Executive Board Meeting 6:30 - 7:15 pm Dinner - Courtesy Hewlett Packard 7:15 - 7:30 pm Business Meeting 7:30 - 9:00 pm TEE Presentation

R.S.V.P. by Wednesday June 6th to John Del Guzzo at (215) 666-9000.

Please duplicate and distribute this notice to all members and interested parties in your department/institution.

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