Calendar of Events

March

15 PAMIA Meeting - Evoked Potentials, Electromyography, and Nerve Conduction Studies, presented by Nihon Kohden. Temple University Hospital NOTE: THIS IS A TUESDAY

April

? PAMIA Meeting - Look for a future separate announcement.

SEE MARCH MEETING ANNOUNCEMENT ON LAST PAGE

Message from the President

PAMIA is changing before our eyes. Monthly meeting attendance is up (104 RSVP's were made for the February meeting at Presbyterian). New members are joining our ranks, many by word of mouth. Requests to speak and make presentations at PAMIA meetings are increasing, partly due to PAMIA Members suggestions to vendors. We are seeing more interaction with the local colleges. Members are speaking up more about what they like and dislike about PAMIA, and what they think PAMIA should be doing to improve. PAMIA Board Members of years past are assisting the present board with support and ideas. Direct participation by members with the PAMIA Executive Committee, who are not on the committee, is now commonplace. Long time members, who may have not attended a meeting in years, are now taking a second look. BMET's and CE's from outlying areas, without the benefit of a local biomed society, are making the trip to Philadelphia to investigate PAMIA. An effort promoting continuing education is underway, and working. PAMIA is now affiliated with the Society of Biomedical Equipment Technicians. We are "online", via ECRI's "ECRINet" BBS, where meeting announcements and other news can reach the membership rapidly, and feedback to the PAMIA Board and other members is only a couple of keystrokes away. Those with positions to fill and those looking for positions now have the PAMIA Newsletter to assist their search. All of this, and sixteen years of previous development and excellence, like PAMIA's renowned BMET Certification Review Course, which over the years has helped dozens of BMET's pass the ICC certification exam. Our bi-monthly newsletter now provides a medium to better inform the membership as a whole.

Philadelphia is the nation's fifth largest city (fourth if you don't count Houston and it's sixty mile city limits). Beyond the fact of our large membership, many of our directors/service managers and BMET's have been in the field, in the Philadelphia area, for many years. Many of the major players in the country work here in the Philadelphia area. Our resources here are very extensive, we have a lot to share that can benefit all of us. The mechanism to do this is PAMIA.

At the last PAMIA Meeting, PAMIA Secretary Kevin Carpenter announced the founding of the PAMIA Newsletter Committee (see article elsewhere is this issue). Members who don't want to, or cannot, participate extensively with PAMIA, came out of the woodwork when they saw an opportunity to get involved without committing a lot of their time. Does that sound like you?

Hopefully, we are not reaching a plateau, but a period of even more increased involvement and development of PAMIA!

Lou Schonder
1994 PAMIA President

PAMIA Meeting Summaries

January

The January PAMIA meeting was hosted by Lankenau Hospital and Datascope Corporation. The presentation was on Intra-Aortic Balloon Pumps (IABP), and forty-eight members attended. The presentation was in two parts, first, a clinical overview, and second, a technical explanation of Datascope 95 IABP's operation.

Mary Lynn Bartoletti, a Clinical Support Specialist for Datascope, gave the clinical overview. Mary Lynn explained that the function of the intra-aortic balloon pump is to increase cardiac output. The IABP catheter is typically inserted through the femoral artery and then positioned in the descending aorta. Inflation and deflation of the balloon is triggered either by the ECG waveform or an invasive pressure waveform. As the balloon "pumps" it assists the patient's heart by increasing circulatory pressures, positive and negative, at precise times such that blood flow is increased. These increased, or augmented, pressures cause the stroke volume to increase which, by definition, is increased cardiac output. Paul Nigroni, a Biomedical Engineering Manager for Datascope, explained the sequence of events which control the pneumatic fill and drain cycles of the balloon catheter. Paul also reviewed the feedback system which monitors practically every aspect of the IABP operation; volume, pressure, condensation, mechanical positioning, etc. The Datascope 95 has an extensive firmware based diagnostic program. The diagnostics covers pneumatic performance testing and pneumatic controls, as well as display, recorder, and keypad diagnostics.

February

February's PAMIA meeting, hosted by The Presbyterian Medical Center and Toshiba America Inc, featured a presentation on Helical Computed Tomography. Although only 50 members signed the attendance sheet, actual attendance was closer to 80. Please, at future monthly meetings, remember to sign the attendance sheet, it can assist you in acquiring points for certification renewal.

Doctor Harry Zegal, Vice-Chairman of Radiology at Presbyterian Medical Center, was this month's presenter and gave numerous examples of the clinical benefits of helical scanning. For example, the helical scan data combined, with a SPARC 10 workstation, can create 3 D images of anatomical structures as viewed from any angle. The ability to view an abnormality from any angle gives radiologists diagnostic advantages not previously available with older CT technology.

The difference between helical scanning and the traditional slice methodology is as follows: The traditional scanner would advance the patient/table through the gantry and, at predetermined intervals, take 360 degree transverse slices/shots. Helical scanning however, does not go in increments. It collects data continuously as the patient passes through the gantry. The scan data is therefore continuous, from start to finish. This continuity of data gives radiologists the ability to reconstruct the data in ways not previously possible. For example, with the traditional slice methodology, minute but important physiological abnormalities may have been missed if they appeared between "slices". However, with helical scanning they would be seen clearly.

Following the lecture, PAMIA members were invited to inspect Presbyterian's Toshiba Xpress Helical Scanner.

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: (215) 834-1275, or E-mail on ECRINet (215) 825-9284.

How to Submit Articles to the PAMIA Newsletter

Submissions of whole articles or just ideas can be sent to Kevin Carpenter at Riddle Memorial Hospital, 1068 W. Baltimore Pike, Media, PA 19063. Phone: (215) 891-3162 or CompuServe 73523,2342. Or, you can send E-mail on ECRINet (215)825-9284. Do you have any original ideas for the newsletter? Get in touch!

Optics Course Completes First Run

"ELEC 301: Light and Optics in Biomedical Devices" was offered for the first time this fall at the Community College of Philadelphia. The inspiration for the course came from a PAMIA roundtable discussion on BMET education held two years earlier (October 1991, Upper Darby High School) at which time a number of BMETs and CEs expressed a need for continuing education. A survey of PAMIA members confirmed that there was indeed a strong interest in continuing education, with a particular show of interest for medical lasers.

A voluntary team of laser specialists met to develop the course content. Since the understanding of lasers requires a foundation in the properties of light and optics, properties which are also utilized in a wide variety of medical devices, it was decided that the course would incorporate lasers as well as various optically oriented medical devices.

The course was the product of the effort of many. Keith Forsythe was the official instructor and taught the theories of light and optics. Kevin Carpenter made arrangements for laser demonstrations by East Coast Technologies'. George Wolf, who went above and beyond the call of duty and came to class not once, but twice, to demonstrate the operation and internal workings of the CO2 and Nd:YAG lasers. ECRI provided complimentary copies of their journal, Health Devices, which included their laser safety eyeware evaluation. Surgical Laser Technologies donated the use of their laser safety goggles. Most important, thanks to everyone who participated.

Seventeen individuals signed up for the course. Judging by the comments written at the end of the course, it was a success. Among the highlights mentioned were the laser and fiber optic demonstrations, as well as the laser safety and pulse oximetry discussions. In general, individuals felt the course met their needs and expectations. One individual wrote "the information on laser safety made me much more comfortable when I worked on lasers at my hospital." However, some students expressed concern that the course was a little heavy on the theoretical side and did not supply sufficient practical information. While ELEC 301 is no substitute for a manufacturer service school, in the future we will try to provide more emphasis on the operating principles of medical devices. Perhaps one way to do this would be to discuss a particular piece of equipment, such as a pulse oximeter, and then investigate the properties of light utilized in that device, rather than starting with theories of light and later applying them to equipment.

If you missed out this year, don't despair. The class is now a regularly listed course at the Community College of Philadelphia. If there is enough interest, the course will run again next fall or perhaps the following year. Please direct feedback regarding this course to me at CCP, phone number (215) 751-8318.

- Randy Libros, CCP Biomedical Course Chairman

PAMIA Awards

In recognition of achievement and excellence of students local in biomedical technology programs, PAMIA will present the following awards in 1994:

PAMIA Academic Achievement Award Given to four graduating students, two each from Delaware County Community College and Community College of Philadelphia biomedical technology programs. Award recipients receive a free PAMIA membership until December 1995.

PAMIA Excellence Award Recipients of the PAMIA Academic Achievement Awards are interviewed by the PAMIA Executive Committee at the April 1994 meeting 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.

Recipients will be announced at the April 1994 PAMIA Meeting and in PAMIA Newsletter #15.

1994 NICET Examination Schedule

ICC CBET & CCE examinations will be held by the NICET at the following locations on the following dates in 1994:

Penn State University (Ogontz Campus): May 7, August 27, and December 3

Burlington County College: June 4, August 13, and November 19

An additional $10 fee is charged for testing at these sites. For more information, call the ICC at (703) 525 4890 Ex 207.

Farewell to a Friend

On February third, nineteen hundred and ninety four, John Marsicano, CBET, retired after spending over forty years involved with medical electronics. John has worked for Burroughs Electronics and Hewlett Packard before finishing his career at Lankenau Hospital. I am sure that there are many people in the Philadelphia area who will wish for John all the best in his future endeavors. I have had the chance to learn a few tricks from John and will miss heckling him on a daily basis. He has helped me learn new concepts that I did not learn in school, and helped me prepare for my certification test. Whenever I was stumped with a schematic problem, he was able to help me understand what was going on. John was always helpful to our interns, and took special interest in the younger technicians, always willing to educate them and help them with employment searches. I watched as John emptied his desk and cleaned his area and I wonder about the changes he has seen through out his career. John, I have only one thing to say to you ... THANK YOU.

- Tom Gilroy, Lankenau Hospital

In the Spotlight!

The Nov/Dec 1993 issue of The Journal of Clinical Engineering contained an article focusing on Jefferson Shared Services Department of Biomedical Instrumentation. The article went into depth explaining the many capabilities and responsibilities the department handles, which clearly highlights it as one of the most progressive biomedical equipment services in the area. Congratulations to the whole department for the well deserved recognition!

A Message From The Secretary

During the last year, I have watched the PAMIA newsletter continually improve under the careful guidance and nurturing of Lou Schonder and Alan Barbell. Well done, Lou and Alan!

However, 1994 is a new year with a new PAMIA board. The PAMIA Newsletter torch has been passed. As the new PAMIA secretary, it is my duty to continue improving the newsletter. With this in mind, I have decided to follow the example of other successful newsletters and start a Newsletter Committee. The intention of the committee is to develop consistent responsibilities among a team to regularly compose the newsletter. The committee of five will be chaired by the PAMIA Secretary, who will report to the Executive Board. Committee positions are open to any PAMIA member.

Primarily, the committee functions will be to brainstorm newsletter topics, find qualified authors, and review drafts submitted for publication. Additional duties may include improving newsletter layout and developing new topical columns. 1994 promises to be an exciting year for the PAMIA newsletter and it's committee. Don't miss out! Be a part of it. For more information call Kevin Carpenter at (215) 566 9400 ext 3162.

Globe Trotting Biomedical Technician

PAMIA member Ismael Cordero has taken a leave of absence from his clinical engineering position at Albert Einstein Medical Center. During his leave of absence, Ismael has taken on the role of "Globe Trotting Biomedical Technician." Ismael signed on with ORBIS International, a non profit humanitarian organization committed to fighting blindness worldwide. This mission is accomplished by flying a specialized DC 10, complete with operating and recovery rooms, to underdeveloped countries and teaching local healthcare professionals the aspects of an ophthalmic program.

ORBIS conducts hands on teaching programs for doctors, nurses, anesthesiologists and biomedical technicians. On board the DC 10, ORBIS doctors, assisted by local doctors, perform eye surgery in the OR. Other local doctors watch the procedure live via remote video in an on board classroom. Local doctors also observe and learn to perform laser eye surgery. Similarly, anesthesiologists and nurses observe the surgery and learn the skills and techniques necessary to assist in ophthalmic surgery. The goal is to give the local medical staff the training necessary to continue to diagnose and correct ophthalmic disease once ORBIS has left that nation.

Ismael's role as a biomedical technician is three fold. Naturally, his first responsibility is the repair and preventive maintenance of all on board medical equipment. The second function is to repair medical equipment at local hospitals and ophthalmic clinics. (Many third world countries lack the technical personnel and/or training to keep their medical equipment in good working condition.) His third function is to train local biomedical technicians how to repair and maintain their medical equipment. Ideally, at the conclusion of the ORBIS visit, the local equipment is in working condition and preventive maintenance programs are in place.

To date, ORBIS has made 130 training visits in 61 countries, trained 25,000 doctors and nurses , and restored or saved the sight of 13,000 patients. During Ismael's one year tour of duty, ORBIS is scheduled to visit the following countries: Tunisia, India, China, Myanmar, Latvia, Romania, Iran, Albania, and the Sudan. PAMIA salutes Ismael Cordero's humanitarian endeavors and eagerly awaits his safe return.

ORBIS International was founded in 1982. Funding is provided by the contributions of individuals, corporations and foundations, as well as a grant from the United States Agency for International Development. Kevin Carpenter

Persons interested in obtaining more information about ORBIS International may contact their offices directly at the following address.

ORBIS International 330 West 42nd Street Suite 100 New York NY 10036 Voice: (212) 244 2525 Fax: (212) 244 2744

RESN Radiology Engineering Support Network

PAMIA would like to introduce a new neighbor to the south, RESN (Radiology Engineering Support Network), a Maryland based organization, formed recently by in house radiology service technicians and engineers to unite and support their profession. RESN meets on the third Tuesday of each month. Their next meeting is at the Holiday Inn, Routes 1 & 175, Columbia MD, on March 15th at 6:30 PM. The speaker will be from Richardson Electronics. If interested, RSVP Anna Dovie at (216) 349 4700. For more information, call RESN President, Jim McConnel at (410) 822 1000 ext 5678

People Open Looking for Jobs

Msg#:31509 *JOBS* 01 11 94 15:01:10 From: ALAN PAKALN To: ALL Subj: TRAINED TECHNICIANS AVAILABLE

Available immediately in NYC Area, five qualified, responsible BMETs, experienced in repair & PM of a variety of clinical equipment. We hired the best we could find to facilitate rehab of hospital 1 1/2 years ago and were caught in a hospital wide layoff and then could not create new permanent positions. Our loss is your gain! Please contact Asst. Dir. BME Alan Pakaln, 212 523 3118

Msg#:31959 *JOBS* 02 01 94 16:50:51 From: JAMES MCGILL To: ALL Subj: SEEKING EMPLOYMENT

Position Wanted

Ambitious, mature individual seeking technician's position in the greater Philadelphia area. Graduate in Biomedical Equipment Technology with a 4.0 GPA. With 9 years previous supervisory experience in the construction industry, and a proven work record, I am certain I have the qualities you are looking for. I have been exposed to a diversified range of medical equipment, and continue to train as a volunteer with a major medical center in the Philadelphia area.

I would appreciate your consideration should you have a position available. Please contact James P. McGill at (610) 942 2556 to have a resume forwarded, or for further information.

Jobs Open Looking for People

Msg#:32388 *JOBS* 02 16 94 13:17:26 From: ELMER PERRY To: ALL Subj: EMPLOYMENT

Grady Health System in Atlanta GA. Is presently looking for two BMET II'S and one BMET II. We are a 1025 bed inner city hospital that is almost complete with a $400 million renovation. The BMET II position requires an associates degree or equivalent and 4 or more years experience in the repair of clinical equipment preferably in a hospital environment. Experience with respiratory equipment i.e. ventilators is a plus. Position also requires certification or ability to get certified within 6 months. The BMET I position requires an associates degree or equivalent and 2 years experience in the repair of clinical equipment. This is basically an entry level position. If you are interested in any of these positions please call Gradys Human Resources Department at (404) 616 1900 and talk to Sara McLaren. Or you can send your resume to: Grady Health System 80 Butler Street N.E. Atlanta, GA. 30335 ATTN: Human Resources Department Ms. Sara McLarem

Msg#:32494 *JOBS* 02 21 94 17:36:00 From: SCOTT LESHNER To: ALL Subj: EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

Albert Einstein Medical Center, located in Philadelphia, has an immediate opening in the Biomedical Engineering Department for an experienced technician. If interested, please call Scott Leshner at (215) 456-7335 or fax resume to (215) 456-7344. The mailing address is:

Scott Leshner Albert Einstein Medical Center 5501 Old York Road Philadelphia, PA 19141

Msg#:31396 *JOBS* 01 04 94 15:04:45 From: MICHAEL GIESECKE To: ALL Subj: JOB OPENING

Biomedical Technician II Clinical Engineering Cleveland Campus MON. FRI. 7:00am 3:30pm. Implements daily biomedical program for safety, corrective maintenance and preventive maintenance on clinical equipment and systems. Requires associates degree in Biomedical Technology with a min. of 1 years exp. in biomedical field or associates degree in electronics with 5 years exp. in biomedical field.

Pat York Employment Specialist Lee Memorial Hospital 2776 Cleveland Ave Fort Myers, FL 33901 PH:813 336 6817 1 800 642-JOBS

Msg#:31323 *JOBS* 12 30 93 12:25:35 From: ANDY SHECKTOR To: ALL Subj: RADIOLOGY POSITION

We are in immediate need of a Radiology Technician with experience. Our hospital (Lower Bucks Hospital) is located in Bristol, PA. Salary and benefits are negotiable. Contact: Andrew Shecktor (215) 785 9261

Clinical Engineer Wanted

Cook County Hospital, a 930 bed teaching facility, has an opening for a Clinical Engineer. M.S. in Clinical/Biomedical Engineering with 3 years hospital experience is required. Knowledge of WordPerfect and DBase are a plus. For a complete job description contact:

Director, Clinical Equipment Maintenance Cook County Hospital 720 S. Wolcott Ave. (KMH LL) Chicago, IL 60612 V: 312 633 6212 F: 312 666 9845

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

March Meeting

Evoked Potentials (EPs) & Electromyography Bill Ellis, Neurology Clinical Specialist for Nihon Kohden, will provide us with insights into the day by day operation of the EP/EMG lab. A general description of EPs, instrument features and specifications, as well as certain methods of stimulating and recording will be provided. He will also touch on EMGs and nerve conduction studies, and give demonstrations of the tests.

When: Tuesday, March 15, 1994

Where: Temple University Hospital Broad and Ontario Streets Philadelphia, PA 19140 (see map for exact location of garage and meeting)

Schedule: 5:45 - 6:30 pm Executive Board Meeting 6:30 - 7:15 pm Dinner - Courtesy Temple Biomedical Engineering 7:15 - 7:30 pm Business Meeting 7:30 - 9:00 pm EP/EMG Presentation

R.S.V.P. by Thursday March 10, 1994 to Ken Wilde, Temple University Hospital at 215-707-3303.

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

April Meeting

Title Here

Description here

When: Monday, April xx, 1994

Where: ???????

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

R.S.V.P. by

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

Return to the PAMIA Home Page

Return to the PAMIA Newsletter Archive Page

This page was modified on May 3, 1997