PAMIA Newsletter
Issue #12 November/December 1993
Calendar of Events
October
26 PAMIA Meeting Anesthesia Seminar at North American Drager
27 29 HAP Fall Conference Harrisburg PA
29 Continuing Education Award Entry Deadline
November
8 PAMIA Meeting. Presentation by EIL Instruments at Stadium Holiday Inn.
17 PAMIA election ballots due.
20 Annual Dinner - See inside.
CBET Exams in Philadelphia area.
December
7-9 Ohmeda Service School Anesthesia Equipment Philadelphia
13 PAMIA Meeting Health Care Reform Roundtable Discussion Jefferson Shared Services
January
10 PAMIA Meeting - Datascope Intra-Aortic Balloon Pumps Lankenau Hospital
31 Nellcor Service School Jefferson Shared Services
SEE MEETING ANNOUNCEMENTS ON LAST PAGE
Message from the President
We have just celebrated another "Biomed Week" in Pennsylvania and the Philadelphia area. Over the last decade, Biomedical and Clinical Engineering service has moved from the "fix-it shop" to a resource for technology management that hospitals greatly depend on to maintain quality care in their facilities.
Doing that is not an easy task. Our field is very diverse from a technical standpoint. Dozens, if not hundreds, of types of equipment are typically found in a hospital. Understanding the use, inspection/PM, repair and management of so many different types of equipment, and doing so, many times in emergency situations, is quite a commendable feat.
I hope everyone took time to observe Biomedical Equipment Technology and Clinical Engineering Week. You surely deserved it!
Lou Schonder
PAMIA President
PAMIA Meeting Summaries
August
No meeting scheduled.
September
The September PAMIA meeting was hosted by Albert Einstein Medical Center and Accucore Inc. The lecture, VHF vs. UHF Telemetry Fact vs. Fiction, was given by David Pettijohn, Vice President of Accucore. The lecture explained some short comings of UHF telemetry. For example, interference from wireless telecommunications equipment and poorer signal transmission through walls. Conversely, VHF telemetry interference is less likely since that band is shared only with TV stations, whose frequencies are defined. Also discussed where aspects of custom tailoring and installing telemetry antenna systems. Some aspects were dipole vs quad antennas, proper placement of antennas, signal amplification and impedance matching. The lecture was very interesting and of great technical worth.
The Accucore telemetry system was available for demonstration after the lecture. An interesting feature of the system is that the transmitter and receiver frequencies can be redefined through a service menu on the central station. In that scenario, a loaner transmitter would be changed to the proper frequency and given to the nursing staff. This would eliminate complications ranging from swapping receiver hardware to reconfiguring the central station, depending on the telemetry system.
After the lecture, the PAMIA Business Meeting was conducted. PAMIA SBET affiliation and the creation of the PAMIA Promotional Committee were approved by a majority membership vote. Nominations for the 1994 PAMIA Executive Board were taken.
The Exit Poll
What did you think of the last meeting? 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.
Nominations for 1994 PAMIA Officers
Therapeutic Ultrasound
Here is a quick and dirty technique to test the transducer of a therapeutic ultrasound machine. This test gives a relative indication of power output and helps in assessing the condition of the ultrasonic crystal.
Get a roll of medical or electrical tape, the wider the better. Wrap one edge of the tape around the transducer such that a cup is formed, with the transducer as the bottom of the cup. Turn the cup right side up and fill it with about 1.5 cm of water. Now, turn the US power on and increase the output until a cone (also referred to as a "fishtail") rises from the center of the water. The total lack of a cone likely indicates no output, meaning that the crystal is bad, the output cable has a clean break, or the output power amplifier is bad. An intermittent cone likely indicates an intermittent transducer cable. If the cone is off center, or there is more than one cone, then the crystal may be cracked.
The "cone" or "fishtail" is created as a result of cavitation in the water from the acoustical output. Therefore, the shape, height and consistency of the water cone give a good indication of output quality. However, to fully calibrate an ultrasound transducer, use a proper ultrasonic power meter.
Kevin Carpenter Riddle Memorial Hospital Clinical Engineering
BMET Evaluation and Review Course
Thomas Jefferson Shared Services hosted a review course for nearly 20 participants in September. The review courses have helped many technicians over the years in passing the ICC Certification Test for BMET Certification. Good Luck to all of you taking the test on November 20th, and thanks to all of the instructors and Thomas Jefferson's Biomedical Instrumentation Department for their time and effort in making the BMET Review Course possible!
BMET Certification Self Evaluation Study Guide
A study guide is available from the Society of Biomedical Equipment Technicians that covers the five subject areas that will be found on the test. They have both a written and computer version of the study guide. The written guide provides 150 multiple choice questions. The computer version allows you to take either a long (150 questions) test or short (15 question) drill. The program presents the question with 4 or 5 possible answers. After selecting an answer the computer displays the correct answer during the drills. The questions are selected randomly from a larger pool of questions. For ordering information call SBET at 1-800-332-2264.
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!
PAMIA's Annual Dinner
Don't miss the fun! On Saturday evening, November 20, 1993, members of PAMIA and their close family and friends will meet for dinner at the Peking Mandarin Inn in Cherry Hill NJ. (It is less than 10 minutes from the Ben Franklin Bridge.) Besides the opportunity to socialize with fellow PAMIA friends, you will be eligible for some exciting door prizes. There will also be the drawing for the 1993 Continuing Education Prizes, and the 1994 PAMIA Officer election results will be announced. Remember to R.S.V.P. to Jim Marsala no later than Friday, November 12, 1993. If you lost the Annual Dinner invitation, and would like to attend, send $10 for each person attending, your name, and affiliated organization to:
Jim Marsala 623 Knorr Street Philadelphia, PA 19111
Thanks Jim for making all of the arrangements!
PAMIA Continuing Education Awards
To recognize those in the field who are working to further their education, and motivate others to do the same, PAMIA will be giving $100 awards to five members who meet the following criteria:
#1 PAMIA Members only. This includes all those who are part of a PAMIA affiliated institution.
#2 Must be enrolled during 1993. Courses eligible are at the discretion of the PAMIA Executive Board.
To enter this awards pool, mail a copy of a tuition receipt or transcript from 1993, along with your name & institution to:
Lou Schonder PAMIA President CITECH 5200 Butler Pike Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462
or FAX to: PAMIA Lou Schonder, CITECH (215) 834 1275
Five entries will be drawn, from all of the entries received, at the 1993 PAMIA Annual Dinner on November 20th. Checks will be written on the spot for the five lucky winners, amidst cheering fellow PAMIA members. All entrants will be recognized in the PAMIA Newsletter. Entries must be received by Friday, October 29, 1993.
PAMIA Promotion Committee
A vote was taken at the September meeting to create a committee devoted to promoting PAMIA in the Philadelphia area. The intent is to target institutions, manufacturers and relevant educational facilities who are presently not PAMIA members, then focus on evaluating why a substantial portion of our membership is not presently participating. Alan Stankus of JFK Memorial Hospital, who has served previously on the PAMIA Executive Board, will chair the committee. The committee will report to the PAMIA Executive Committee. Do you have any ideas and/or feedback on this committee? If so, we'd like to hear from you!
SBET Chapter Membership
At the September PAMIA Meeting, PAMIA has voted to become a local chapter of SBET, the Society of Biomedical Equipment Technicians. PAMIA members can realize the benefits of SBET Membership for $35 per person per year, as opposed to the $55 dues for non chapter membership. PAMIA's cost will be $100 per year.
SBET Membership includes: free subscriptions to Biomedical Instrumentation and Technology, AAMI's bimonthly journal and AAMI's monthly newsletter, AAMI News; free AAMI/SBET directory; free employment service; discounts on AAMI products and services; and more! PAMIA will become an SBET local chapter starting in 1994. As of now, the paperwork has not been processed, so if you are considering an SBET Membership, be patient! By the next PAMIA newsletter, you should be able to sign up for 1994 and realize the discount available through PAMIA Membership.
Jobs Open Looking for People
Msg#:29437 *JOBS* 10 05 93 13:49:52 From: SCOTT LESHNER To: ALL Subj: EMPLOYMENT
SENIOR BIOMEDICAL FIELD SERVICE ENGINEERING POSITION AVAILABLE IN THE OHIO AREA. 5 PLUS YEARS EXPERIENCE AND A BACHELORS DEGREE PREFERRED. FOR INFORMATION, PLEASE CALL LAURA SCOTT AT EMCON 703 359 2711
Msg#:29416 *JOBS* 10 04 93 12:52:45 From: JOHN HUGHES To: ALL Subj: BMET 2 POSITION OPENING
Washington Hospital Center in Washington, DC has an opening for a BMET 2 in our 23 person department. Qualifications should included an A.S. degree in Biomedical Technology or Electronics, or equivalent military training, and two or more years of in depth experience. Please send all resumes to:
Denise Stribling Employment Specialist Washington Hospital Center 110 Irving Street, N.W. Washington, DC 20010 202 877 7445
Msg#:29507 *JOBS* 10 08 93 16:38:20 From: DAVID DICKEY To: ALL Subj: TECHNICAL CONSULTANT WANTED
WANTED: TECHNICAL CONSULTANT POSITION AVAILABLE BASED IN PHILI AREA. APPLICANT MUST HAVE TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE IN RADIOLOGY EQUIPMENT, EITHER GE, SIEMENS, PHILIPS OR PICKER. OTHER CLINICAL EQUIPMENT KNOWLEDGE A PLUS. MUST HAVE GOOD CUSTOMER RELATIONS SKILLS. GREAT SALARY AND BONUS PROGRAM. CALL DAVID DICKEY, VICE PRESIDENT, FISHER CONSULTING SERVICES at 1 800 877 2202
Wanted: Biomedical Manager
BS degree, CCE preferred. Must have supervisory experience. May accept AS degree with extensive experience and managerial training. Salary Competitive. Position will be responsible for the day-to-day operation of a nine-member Biomedical Engineering Department. Many oportunities for growth and diversity.
Please call or fax resume if qualified and interested to:
Dan Coiro Director Technology Management Cooper Hospital/ UMC One Cooper Plaza Camden, NJ 08103 Phone: 609-342-2015 Fax: 609-342-2037 People Open Looking for Jobs
Msg#:29615 *JOBS* 10 15 93 11:36:48 From: BETH SENG To: ALL Subj: POSITION WANTED
I am a graduate student Drexel University (Philadelphia, PA) who will be completing Master's Degree in Biomedical Engineering with specialization in Clinical Engineering in January 1994. Currently doing an internship in the CE dept. at the Hosp. of the Univ. of PA. If you or someone you know has positions becoming available please contact me. I'm happy to send my resume to anyone!
Contact: Beth Anne Seng 3400 Red Lion Rd. #25F Philadelphia, PA 19114 (215) 281 0738 (215) 898 3868 Fax
Local Service Schools
With our large membership, it should be rather easy for PAMIA to attract manufacturer's service schools to the Philadelphia Area. Do YOU have any schools in mind that you'd like to see come to Philadelphia? We will be putting on our thinking caps soon to conjure up ways to make the trip to Philadelphia attractive to manufacturers conducting service courses. Do YOU have any ideas? Please contact a member of the PAMIA Board!
And Now a Word From Our Sponsor
For those of you not familiar with EIL, the following is an introduction they provided.
EIL Instruments Inc. has been the nation's leader in the field of instrument supply, repair, and calibration for over 45 years. Our advantages include being the exclusive distributor of Hewlett Packard's test and measurement products.
Our repair and calibration services include electronic equipment such as oscilloscopes, multimeters, spectrum analyzers, network analyzers, logic analyzers, defibrillator and ECG simulators, patient simulators, thermometers, temperature simulators, general purpose test equipment and more....
Our technicians are all graduates of the military's PMEL school making them the best trained and highest qualified technicians in the nation.
PAMIA 1993 Executive Board
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 ........................................... Shree Chaudhary (215) 874-6992
Member at Large ..................................... Kevin Carpenter Riddle Memorial Hospital (215) 891-3162
Member at Large ......................................... Jim Marsala Jefferson Biomedical Shared Services (215) 335 6600
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
November Meeting
Instrument Calibration
Cory Horvath of EIL Instruments, Inc. will demonstrate calibration methods and techniques utilizing sophisticated test instrumentation, followed by a question and answer session.
When: Monday, November 8, 1993
Where: Holiday Inn Philadelphia Stadium 10th and Packer Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19148 215-755-9500
Schedule: 5:45 - 6:30 pm Executive Board Meeting 6:30 - 7:15 pm Dinner - Courtesy EIL Instruments 7:15 - 7:30 pm Business Meeting 7:30 - 9:00 pm EIL's Calibration Presentation
R.S.V.P. by November 4th to either Alan Barbell at 215-825-6000 (fax: 215-834-1275), or Lou Schonder at 215-825-6700.
Please duplicate and distribute this notice to all members and interested parties in your department/institution. PAMIA Philadelphia Area Medical Instrumentation Association
December Meeting
Health Care Reform Roundtable
We will have a roundtable discussion on the proposed health care reforms. Come join clinical engineers and biomedical equipment technicians from throughout the Delaware Valley discuss the issue of health care reform. How will these reforms affect clinical engineering? What additional pressures will the hospitals we work in be under? How can we help position ourselves to within the hospital to maintain a level of importance through these changing times?
When: Monday, December 13th, 1993
Where: Thomas Jefferson University Hospital Department of Clinical Engineering 129 South 9th Street Philadelphia, PA 19107
Schedule: 5:45 - 6:30 pm Executive Board Meeting 6:30 - 7:15 pm Dinner - Courtesy TJUH 7:15 - 7:30 pm Business Meeting 7:30 - 9:00 pm BMET Roundtable
R.S.V.P. by December 3 to Bunny Gavaghan (215) 955-2988
Please duplicate and distribute this notice to all members and interested parties in your department/institution.
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