17th June 2022

BEAI Call for Abstracts and Posters

The standard call for abstracts and posters for the BEAI Annual Scientific Conference 2022 opened on 2nd June and will close on 12th August. BEAI ASC 2022 welcomes abstracts and posters in all areas applied to Biomedical and Clinical Engineering. We encourage submissions that highlight the significant contribution Biomedical / Clinical Engineering make to the Irish healthcare system, the introduction of new initiatives, and the use of digital health as an enabling technology. Abstract and poster authors will receive notifications of acceptance or rejection via email in the week of 26th August 2022. 

Submitting an abstract or poster to BEAI ASC 2022 gives you the author, an opportunity to present your work to Biomedical & Clinical Engineers from Ireland, Europe and around the globe, while sharing experiences and knowledge that can benefit the whole profession. 

 

Online submissions can be made via this link which also provides some guidance on acceptable criteria. Abstract submissions should not exceed 250 words. Awards will be presented to authors of posters in the categories of Student, Scientific and Engineering Management.

 

Further queries can be made to education@beai.ie

 

BEAI Early Career Award

The BEAI Executive Committee calls for nominations / applications for the 2022 BEAI Early Career Award. The prize will be awarded for the first time at the BEAI Annual Scientific Conference in the Aviva Stadium, Dublin on 30th September 2022. The Early Career Award is given in recognition of a single achievement in Biomedical / Clinical Engineering. The total prize value amounts to €2000 and is reserved for members of the Biomedical / Clinical Engineering Association of Ireland whose age is less than 35 on July 31st of the year of the Conference. The nomination / application should include the name of the candidate accompanied by a brief characterization of the work singled out for the prize. Members of the BEAI should submit their nomination / application via the BEAI website  Nominations / Applications should be made no later than on 31st July, 2022.

 

  1. The prize is awarded at the Biomedical / Clinical Engineering Association of Irelands Annual Scientific Conference in recognition of a single achievement in Biomedical / Clinical Engineering. The prize consists of the sum of €2000 and is reserved for members of the Biomedical / Clinical Engineering Association of Ireland whose age is less than 35 on July 31st of the year of the Conference. 
     
  2. A nomination / application for the prize should include the name of the candidate accompanied by a brief characterisation of the work singled out for the prize. Members of the BEAI should submit their nomination / application no later than 2 months before the BEAI Annual Scientific Conference, via the BEAI website. The call for nominations / applications will be posted on the BEAI Web site and the link will be sent by e-mail to the BEAI e-mail distribution list. 
     
  3. The recipient of the prize will be selected by a committee of 5 members determined by the BEAI Executive and announced at the BEAI Annual Scientific Conference. 
     
  4. The recipient of the prize will be invited to present their single achievement at the following years BEAI Annual Scientific Conference.   
     
  5. The Committee may consider candidates that have not submitted an application nor have been nominated by the members. The names of committee members will remain confidential within the BEAI until the prize ceremony. The BEAI will make every reasonable effort to make attendance at the ceremony possible for the selected candidate. 
Survey - Security of Patient Monitoring on a Medical IT Network

Please find below information in relation to a survey being conducted by a BEAI member as part of a Master of Science in Healthcare Informatics in University College Dublin. The BEAI would greatly appreciate your support in completing this 5min survey. The link to the survey is as follows: https://qfreeaccountssjc1.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_aVFdiHFYOs73fzo

 

Research Information & Informed Consent

Title: Security of Patient Monitoring on a Medical IT Network

Researcher: Dara Keeley

Supervisor: Dr Patrick Felle

Researcher email: dara.keeley@ucdconnect.ie

Course: Master of Science in Healthcare Informatics in University College Dublin

Purpose of Study

Medical devices being integrated into healthcare provider’s IT networks has become more prevalent over the last number of years, specifically physiological monitoring. This integration and converging of medical systems with traditional IT networks has transformed the IT architecture and introduced additional risks which may have a bearing on safety and security of this medical IT network. This was highlighted recently in the Health Service Executive (HSE) with WannaCry ransomware attack in May 2017 and the major ransomware cyberattack suffered in May 2021, causing all of the IT systems nationwide to be shut down.

The IEC 80001-1 standard was developed in 2010 as an application of risk management for IT networks incorporating medical devices, defining roles, responsibilities and activities. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) provide guidelines to secure network connected medical devices. The Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) provides guidance for implementing an effective medical device security risk management program. Support for these networks and systems is provided either by IT personnel or Clinical/Biomedical Engineers or both, depending on the healthcare provider’s resources, which can vary across many different sites.

The HSE is currently implementing a digital initiative nationwide called Vital Signs Automation (VSA) to capture physiological parameters such as oxygen saturation, blood pressure, pulse rate, heart rate and temperature by automatically calculating the national early warning score (NEWS) which is used to track whether a patient’s condition is deteriorating. This digital system will incorporate early detection of the potential of a patient developing sepsis or being at risk of a cardiac arrest resulting in saving lives, improving patient outcomes, staff productivity and compliance. The previous task of calculating the NEWS manually is replaced, thus reducing the error rates that have been highlighted by audits. This system is planned for Our Lady’s Hospital Navan and it is critical that all resources, procedures and risks are identified and mitigations are put in place.

The purpose of this project is to conduct research and determine if the standard IEC 80001-1 “Application of risk management for IT networks incorporating medical devices” is being implemented and determine familiarity with regulations as well as appropriate standards and guidance for an effective medical device security risk management program with Irish healthcare providers.

You have been selected to participate in this research study as you are a CE professional, having experience with integrating medical devices onto medical IT networks and supporting same either directly within a healthcare provider or externally via private enterprise.

Information:

  • Participation for this research study is voluntary.
  • Withdrawal from this research study can be initiated at any point during the process.
  • All of the questions do not have to be answered.
  • Participants of this research study will be anonymized with the results and findings being preserved for same.
  • Participants in this research study will allow the researcher to determine knowledge, understanding and familiarity with standards pertaining to medical IT networks containing medical devices and security risk management programs that may or may not be implemented.
  • A copy of the research study included in the thesis will be provided to you if it is requested.
  • Additional information about this research study can be provided if required.
  • Participants of this research study must be 18 years of age or older providing consent for participation.
  • GDPR will be strictly adhered to in relation to data management.

Procedure:

Participants will be asked to fill and complete an on-line questionnaire that will determine experience of integrating medical devices onto medical IT networks, awareness and knowledge of standards relating to risk management of medical IT networks incorporating medical devices and medical device security risk management programs.

Research Study:

This research study will be used in the researcher’s dissertation that will be submitted to University College Dublin, in partial fulfilment of the course requirements in Master of Science of Healthcare Informatics. The dissertation may also be published in scientific publications.

Declaration:

  • I am 18 years old or older and competent to provide consent.
  • I have read this document, outlining the background and purpose of this research study and consent that has been provided.
  • I agree and have no objection that my data be used for scientific purposes and may be published in scientific publications and my data be used in a purposeful manner while not revealing my identity.
  • I agree to take part in this research study, without prejudice to my legal rights.
  • I agree not to record or mention any third party vendors in this research study.
  • I am aware that I do not have to answer all of the questions in this research study and that I can withdraw at any point.
  • I understand that my participation will be anonymised and my personal details will not be recorded.
  • A copy of this agreement has been made available to me.

 

Data Management

As per the General Data Protection Regulations that came into effect in May 2018, this research study will follow strict adherence. All research and analysis documentation will be stored on the researcher’s PC and laptop that is password protected and encrypted. The research and analysis documentation will include minor thesis in Microsoft Word format and results from the questionnaire in Microsoft Excel format.

The questionnaire will not record personal information and there should be no identifiable information in the results due to be anonymized. Once the minor thesis has been submitted, all relating research and analysis results from the survey will be deleted.

Researcher’s responsibility:

The background and purpose of this research study has been outlined and explained, procedures to be followed and data management involved. I believe that the participant understands the purpose of the research and reasoning for selection with informed consent given freely.

Questionnaire URL:

https://qfreeaccountssjc1.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_aVFdiHFYOs73fzo

 

Postgraduate Diploma in Advanced Medical Technologies

The new Postgraduate Diploma in Advanced Medical Technologies is currently open for application for the second intake. The first year has been very successful and with student feedback and experiences they are refining the programme. 

This course would be very useful for early career clinical engineers. The course have had 5 clinical engineers between UHL, St. James Hospital and the Coombe on the programme this year and who found the course very beneficial. 

The course is delivered primarily online with 10 hours directed learning each week (both live and pre-recorded), and three Saturday on-campus workshops in TUS campus in Moylish, Limerick. 

The course is government funded so the cost to each student is 0% of the fees (i.e. 690 Euro total for each student to pay). The closing date for applications is June 24th. 

For more information visit https://springboardcourses.ie/details/10019

Our Public Service Newsletter

Click the link to view the latest Our Public Service Newsletter where you will find information on the below;
 

  • Foundation Certificate in Artificial Intelligence for Public Servants, p. 1
  • April Innovation Network Event, p. 2
  • May Innovation Network Event, p. 3
  • June Innovation Network Event, p. 4
  • Quality Customer Service Network Event, p. 5
  • European Commission's Technical Support Instrument (TSI) Event, p. 6
  • Innovation Week 2022 - Save the Date, p. 7
  • In other news.... p. 8

News

08 Apr 2024
29 Mar 2024
22 Mar 2024
15 Mar 2024

About Us

The Biomedical / Clinical Engineering Association of Ireland (BEAI) is a company limited by guarantee and not having a share capital. Company Registration no. 484921.

Stay Connected on:

 

Important Information

Contact Us

For general information, including registration, please contact us at:

  • 8 Priory Office Park, Stillorgan Road,
  • Blackrock, Co Dublin, Ireland,
  • A94 EE95