Spectrum 2017 Autumn

Spectrum 2017 Autumn
Publication date: 
5 Sep 2017

Table of contents

4. Notes from the Chair

5. Diary 6 News

9. Industry News

12. Focus National Maternity Hospital’s neonatal web camera

14. Education The evolution of high-volume online haemodiafiltration (HiVOLHDF) as a mode of dialysis: part 1

18. Cardiology Electric interference and problems with pacemakers

20. Cardiology Advanced heart-failure monitoring

24. Clinical Nerve-conduction studies: impedence on the active electrode

26. Clinical New Dialysis Therapy Centre opens at Beaumont Hospital after 20 years of planning

30. Technology DeviceInfo – the ‘e-library’ database of medical device use and safety information

34. Technology New advances in ultrasound technology

36. Technology A proposed medicaldevice learning and development system

40. Roving Reporter. Barry Duggan profiles Dave Parry, who recently retired after nearly 50 years in the industry

Foreword

 

Welcome to the autumn edition of Spectrum Journal from all at the BEAI.

It’s difficult to believe that school has started back and the holidays are a distant memory for many at this stage.

Please take the time to browse this edition for plenty of interesting content, including a remarkable Roving Reporter article on Dave Parry, who served with Fresenius for nearly 50 years and; also the focus article on the award-winning initiative from the National Maternity Hospital. I’d like to draw your attention to the article on the EQUALS Initiative, which the BEAI are supporting in conjunction with the Health Services Executive (HSE), Royal College of Physicians Ireland (RCPI) and the Irish Medical and Surgical Trade Association (IMSTA).

Promising new patient-treatment therapies, exciting technologies, ongoing charity work and other healthcare engineering news all feature in this edition, along with various articles from industry and hospital, clinical/biomedical engineers and other healthcare professionals. We encourage you to submit articles to the BEAI for consideration in the Journal, which is a great way to keep colleagues updated and informed, while gaining exposure and publications for your own professional career.

Within the healthcare sector, the relationship between biomedical/clinical engineering and Information technology/communications continues to grow and develop, with advances in technology, the use of more complex software systems and networked connectivity of devices all playing a role in this regard. The most notable recent example of this professional connection in healthcare has been the recent cyber attacks around the globe. We were disappointed to hear that the HSE’s chief information officer is leaving the organisation in November of this year but, we wish him well in his future endeavours and hope to continue growing this symbiotic relationship between the professions with his successor.

The BEAI’s 22nd Annual Scientific Conference takes place on Friday, September 29, 2017, in the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Santry, Dublin 9. The theme of this year's conference is ‘Accelerating healthcare – pushing the boundaries.’ Some of our speakers will explore and discuss upcoming technologies in medical devices, cybersecurity and the effects of the recent global cyber attacks on the healthcare system, disruptive technology and the potential role of consumer devices in modern healthcare delivery. We will be launching our registration protocol for clinical engineers at the conference, which has been developed for our members to align the registration requirements for clinical engineers with the legislative requirements set out by the Health and Social Care Professionals Act, 2005. With a great line-up of presenters confirmed, and with a large array of medical device companies exhibiting on the day, I encourage you all to attend this event, which is not only positive for professional development and knowledge building, but also a great networking opportunity.

We are delighted to have teamed up once again with IMSTA and are presenting an award from the BEAI for ‘Best Technical Services Support Company’. The winner will be judged on criteria including: reliability, technical knowledge, systems integration, educational ability, understanding of the client’s needs, innovative design and engineering solutions, value for money and responsiveness. We see this as a way to recognise the medical device and technology companies’ contribution to healthcare and improved patient outcomes.

I hope you enjoy browsing through our latest edition of Spectrum Journal. As always, we love to hear your feedback about this publication and about the BEAI. Please feel free to contact me or any of the Executive – contact details are provided on page 3.

Brian Kearney
Chairperson, BEAI
Email: chairperson@beai.ie

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