Calendar of Events

January

10 PAMIA Meeting - Datascope Intra-Aortic Balloon Pumps Lankenau Hospital

31 Nellcor Service School Jefferson Shared Services

February

7 PAMIA Meeting - Toshiba CT Scanner Technology Presbyterian Medical Center

11 Deadline for PAMIA Newsletter submissions.

SEE MEETING ANNOUNCEMENTS ON LAST PAGE

Message from the President

In each newsletter, I try to use the President's Message to call attention to PAMIA issues that require attention, or deserve recognition.

Quite a few things are developing on the horizon. Our SBET Chapter Affiliation has now become a reality. The PAMIA Promotion Committee is gearing up for two major projects; present PAMIA to those in the Philadelphia area who are not members of PAMIA, and to open a line communication with a sizeable portion of our membership that presently is not active with the group. PAMIA will soon be reviewing offers of equipment manufacturers for holding service schools in the Philadelphia area. Also, a database is being discussed that would enhance our upcoming PAMIA Directory with basic equipment listings of facilities, potential parts stock sharing, and equipment shared support volunteers.

This is quite a lineup, any of which would make a fine topic for the PAMIA President to focus upon on the front page of the PAMIA Newsletter. So, what is the pressing issue this month? R.S.V.P.'s for our monthly meetings.

Late R.S.V.P.'s and attending meetings without R.S.V.P.ing has progressively been becoming a big problem. Our December Meeting R.S.V.P. activity results were shocking. Thirty two members called to R.S.V.P. by the deadline. As the meeting date approached, twenty additional members called with late R.S.V.P.'s, prompting two changes with the catering for dinner. Before you pull out your calculator, that's basically about four out of ten members calling late. To add insult to injury, the actual attendance at the Roundtable Meeting was about 30.

Of course, some people may have had perfectly legitimate reasons for not being able to attend, or to R.S.V.P. promptly. However, the recent numbers strongly suggest that illegitimate reasons are a major cause. Some people may think, "One person doesn't make a difference". It does, apparently.

A quick fix to the problem would be to sell tickets to monthly meetings, an idea nobody wants to see implemented. That would take away a very special aspect of our monthly meetings, the "unattended door", which in my opinion is a sign of a collaborative society.

That leaves the ONLY option, R.S.V.P.ing on time, and respecting the work that goes behind the seat you R.S.V.P. for. That's means if you R.S.V.P., you commit to attending.

Look at the January and February Meeting announcements. Set a deadline for yourself, before the R.S.V.P. deadlines, to decide if you can attend. Then, make that R.S.V.P. phone call!

Your effort will help us expend our energy for more important things, and will be appreciated immensely.

Lou Schonder, CBET
1994 PAMIA President

PAMIA Meeting Summaries

November

The November PAMIA meeting was hosted by EIL at the Stadium Holiday Inn. The presentation was given by EIL's Steve Scully and Cory Horvath. Steve provided some background on EIL. It is a nationwide company which manufactures, sells, calibrates and repairs test equipment. The majority of EIL calibration technicians are former military personnel who have received specialized training in the repair and calibration of test equipment. The clinical engineering profession is most familiar with EIL as a service which calibrates biomedical test equipment.

Cory explained that all calibrations are traceable to the National Institute of Standards Technology and/or the National Bureau of Standards. The specific standard is MIL45662A. Each calibration device, or reference, must have four times the resolution of the device being calibrated. Numerous pieces of calibration equipment were on display. Cory explained the application of each calibration device, and then demonstrated them by calibrating an oscilloscope.

The meeting ended with a healthy question and answer session that lasted approximately 30 minutes.

December

The December meeting was a roundtable discussion hosted by Thomas Jefferson Shared Services. The topic was "The Effects of Healthcare Reform on Clinical Engineering". The discussion was lead by a committee of three; Mr. Ira Tackel, Thomas Jefferson Shared Services, Mr. Patrick Philbin, Graduate Health System, and Mr. Frank Sharer, Hahnemann University Medical Center. Each gave a brief statement concerning the effects of healthcare reform on the Clinical Engineering profession. The general PAMIA membership then expressed opinions and raised questions which were responded to by the committee as well as the general PAMIA membership.

There were several reoccurring themes during the round table discussion. One was that hospitals would be tightening their economic belts and that Clinical Engineering would be in a position to help the situation by displacing costly service contracts with in-house clinical engineering support. It was also speculated that clinical engineering would now have added leverage to "take over" certain technical services which were previously unapproachable for political reasons within the hospital. There was another question, "What would happen to the Clinical Engineering Department that was not progressive and failed to addressed the greater and broader need for 'technology management'?" Some people felt that these non-progressive departments would eventually be replaced. The issue of technology management was also raised. Would clinical engineering departments find themselves supporting non-clinical technology such as beeper systems, photocopiers, and televisions? Would hospital economics necessitate such diversified support? Some individuals felt that the future of Clinical Engineering would be one of Technology Management and that, yes, it would include non-clinical services.

One thing is for sure, none of us know exactly what the future has in store. However, we each left the roundtable with a lot on our minds. One thought on my mind was, "This situation, if handled properly, could be the biggest opportunity the Clinical Engineering profession has ever had."

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.

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

On November 20, 1993, PAMIA members gathered at the Peking Mandarin Inn in Cherry Hill, NJ for what was a great annual dinner. The food was excellent and plentiful, as were the libations. After some confusion about how to organize the drawing, many greatful and cheering people received very nice door prizes. The 1993 Continuing Education Prizes were drawn, and five $100 checks were awarded (via the mail, the checkbook was a no show). Look for the entrants and winners elsewhere in the newsletter. Also, 1994 PAMIA Executive Board election results were announced.

Jim Marsala did an excellent job as coordinator for the Annual Dinner for the second year in a row. Jim provided us with the dinner location, menu planning, drinks, and the door prizes. All of PAMIA thanks you Jim!!! Now, what will you do for an encore in 1994?

PAMIA Tech Tips

Diagnostic Ultrasound

Here is a quick and dirty technique to test the linear array transducer of a diagnostic ultrasound machine. This procedure assists in determining if a transducer has defective crystals.

Turn the US machine on and get setup to use the linear array transducer. Put a light coat of ultrasonic jelly on the face of the transducer. Next, take a thin metal rod (a thin screw driver shaft will work, the thinner the better) and place it perpendicularly on the face of the transducer. Now, slowly move the metal rod along the face of the transducer. While doing so watch the display on the US machine. A continuous fan of lines should appear on the display. Each line will fade in and out individually as the metal rod passes directly over the corresponding crystal. If a section of the transducer does not result in a line being displayed then the crystal at that location may be bad, or the send/receive circuitry for that channel may be defective.

O > Metal Rod ___________________________________ || || || || || || || || || || || || (Imagine these as crystals)

A linear array ultrasound transducer is made up of a large number of crystals stacked side by side. The crystals emit an ultrasonic wave and then listen for the wave to be reflected back to them. Passing a metal rod along the surface of the transducer reflects the ultrasonic wave immediately back into the crystal that just generated it and, if that crystal is working properly, a line appears on the display.

Riddle Memorial Hospital Clinical Engineering

PAMIA Continuing Education Awards

Recognizing those in the field who worked to further their education, and motivate others to do the same, PAMIA awarded $100 each to five members who were drawn from the following list of entrants:

Matt McBride - WINNER Vernon Hartzell - WINNER Steve Yorko - WINNER Joseph D'Antonio - WINNER Lou Schonder - WINNER Gail Robinson Bill Urban Eric Hutchinson Joe Taxis Darren Selsky Jerry Panza Bill Sherwood Randy Libros

Congratulations to ALL PAMIA members who have attended classes in 1993! Don't forget your submissions for 1994!

People Open Looking for Jobs

Msg#:29895 *JOBS* 10 26 93 11:00:45 From: SIDDHARTH DELIWALA To: ALL Subj: POSITION WANTED I have completed Masters in Biomedical Engineering with specialization in Clinical Engineering from Drexel University (PA). I have worked as a BMET in Pumps and Monitor Division at MEDIQ/PRN Life Support Systems for six months. I am also doing research on measurement of streming potentials and their significance on hearing in Biophysics Lab @ Drexel. This experimental set up deals with transducers and low level signal measurement. If anyone knows of a suitable position please let me know. Thank you. Contact:

Siddharth Deliwala 3416 Race Street #3F Philadelphia PA 19104 (215)382 1916 or (215) 895 2261

Jobs Open Looking for People

Msg#:30777 *JOBS* 11 30 93 23:07:14 From: SHRIKANT CHAUDHARY To: ALL Subj: STERILIZATION EXPERT NEEDED I am looking for an independent consultant who is a recognized expert in steam and gas sterilization technology. This is for a short term consulting assignment in the Philadelphia area. Please call me at 215 874 6992 or fax me information at 215 490 0315.

Please do not reply on ECRInet as I do not check for responses regularly.

Msg#:30882 *JOBS* 12 06 93 17:31:33 From: BILLIE HUTSON To: ALL Subj: OPEN TECH II POSITIONS The Biomedical Engineering department at Orlando Regional Healthcare System currently has three (3) Biomed Tech II positions open. This department is a progressive department with 32 budgeted biomedical engineering positions. The successful candidate should have an associates degree (minimum) in biomedical engineering/electrical engineering and certification is a plus. One of the positions will require an extensive sterilizer background. For further information, please call Kathy Ramsey, Department Manager, (407) 841 5111 ext.6532.

also from Billie Hutson:

Subj: X RAY POSITION; The Orlando Regional Healthcare System has an immediate opening for a person who has skills troubleshooting/repairing General Electric MPX/MVP x ray generators....This position will be a Tech III position within our growing department....For more information, please call Roy Gallegos, Biomedical Engineering Supervisor, (407)841 5111 ext. 6526.

Or send your resume for either position to: ORLANDO REGIONAL HEALTHCARE SYSTEM 1414 S. Kuhl Ave. Orlando, Fl 32806 Attn: Human Resources/Karen D'Aurora

Msg#:31052 *JOBS* 12 13 93 11:03:41 From: SCOTT LESHNER To: ALL Subj: JOB OPENING ALBERT EINSTEIN MEDICAL CENTER, LOCATED IN PHILADELPHIA, HAS AN IMMEDIATE OPENING FOR AN EXPERIENCED BIOMEDICAL TECHNICIAN. EXPERIENCE IN THE PM AND REPAIR OF NAD ANESTHESIA MACHINES WOULD BE HELPFUL. IF INTERESTED CALL SCOTT LESHNER AT 215 456 7335 OR FAX RESUME TO 215 456 7344.

PAMIA 1994 Executive Board

President ..................................................... Lou Schonder CITECH (610) 825 6700 Ex 540

Vice President ................................................ Jim Marsala Jefferson Biomedical Shared Services (215) 335 6600

Secretary .................................................. Kevin Carpenter Riddle Memorial Hospital (610) 891-3162

Treasurer ............................................... Robert Warner, III GHS Technology Management (215) 893-2658

Member at Large ............................................ Alan Barbell ECRI (610) 825-6000 Ex 148

Member at Large ....................................Bridget Chadwick ECRI (610) 825 6000 Ex 527

Member at Large .............................................. Tom Gilroy Lankenau Hospital (610) 645-2140

PAMIA Philadelphia Area Medical Instrumentation Association

January Meeting

Intra-Aortic Balloon Pumps

Paul Negrony, Biomedical Engineering Manager and Mary Lynn Bartoletti, Clinical Specialist, both of Datascope Corp, will present information on Intra-Aortic Balloon Pumps.

When: Monday, November 8, 1994

Where: The Lankenau Hospital 100 Lancaster Ave. Wynnewood, PA 19096 McLean Conference Room, Medical Research

Schedule: 5:45 - 6:30 pm Executive Board Meeting (Hospital cafeteria) 6:30 - 7:15 pm Dinner - Courtesy Datascope 7:15 - 7:30 pm Business Meeting 7:30 - 9:00 pm IABP Presentation

R.S.V.P. by January 3rd to Charlene Hunter or Bill Sherwood at (215) 645 2140

Please duplicate and distribute this notice to all members and interested parties in your department/institution. PAMIA Philadelphia Area Medical Instrumentation Association

February Meeting

CT Helical Scanning Technology

Harry Zegel MD, Vice Chairman of Radiology at Presbyterian Medical Center, and a Toshiba engineer will give a presentation on computerized tomography (CT), and more specifically, advances in helical scanning technology.

When: Monday, February 7th, 1994

Where: Presbyterian Hospital 39th and Market Streets Philadelphia, PA 19104

Schedule: 5:45 - 6:30 pm Executive Board Meeting 6:30 - 7:15 pm Dinner - Courtesy Presbyterian Clinical Engineering 7:15 - 7:30 pm Business Meeting 7:30 - 9:00 pm CT Presentation

R.S.V.P. by January 31st to Debbie Voytek at (215) 662 9450.

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

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