Just in time for Christmas, TechNation reached out to some of the leading test equipment experts in the healthcare technology management industry to find out what biomeds should have on their wish list in 2022. Insiders share their thoughts on test equipment features, new devices and more in this month’s installment of the TechNation Roundtable article.
The test equipment professionals sharing their knowledge and insights are Pronk Technologies Vice President of Sales and Marketing Greg Alkire, RTI Group Vice President of Sales North America Steve Holmes, Datrend Systems Inc. Director of Business Development Owen Liu, Fluke Biomedical Senior Product Manager Michael Raiche, Rigel Medical Category Manager Michael James Walton and BC Group National Sales and Marketing Manager Tim Welby.
Q: What is one piece of test equipment every HTM professional needs and why?
Alkire: With a wide range of vital signs devices, each with their own unique testing requirements, biomedical engineers need versatile and accurate vital signs patient simulators. The portable SimCube Patient Simulation System with Mobilize is designed to meet medical device manufacturers’ requirements, as well as provide unparalleled flexibility to select from hundreds of simulations very easily from biomeds’ smart devices. In addition, all test results are recorded in detail onto an electronic record that can be exported to a database or integrated with a CMMS.
Holmes: Your diagnostic imaging X-ray test equipment needs will be based on your X-ray testing requirements. RTI’s Piranha and Cobia family of meters set the foundation while our full line of probes and accessories provide the flexibility for expanding departments. Most recent advancements in imaging, whether it’s test equipment or imaging systems, have been driven by software. As a recognized leader and innovator since 1981, RTI has led from the front beginning in the 1990s with Ortigo software to today’s Ocean Next. There isn’t a more powerful tool in the bag that can improve workflow and remove the hassle of reporting for traceability and compliance than Ocean Next.
Liu: CMMS is now widely used in most hospitals, and many have implemented the use of tablets with their software systems. The wider adoption of tablets means more users are choosing test equipment with tablets as well. Having the additional screen real-estate, cross-platform integration, and all the technology benefits with a modern device means test equipment is no longer just used for testing, but also helping biomeds get their job done faster and more efficiently.
Raiche: Every HTM professional should consider a license to a workflow automation software. A workflow automation software could allow a HTM professional to open/close workorders, expedite the testing time, automate reporting and ensure that every member of the staff completes the same PM procedure without missing a step! These procedures can include specific photos of connections, of the medical device itself, notes on its location and any facility specific tips and tricks.
Walton: That is a tough one. There are general test tools that are “everyday.” DMMs, oscilloscopes, pressure meters and so on. Rigel Medical and our competitors are more specialists. The most commonly used device is an electrical safety analyzer as it covers all electrical medical equipment for safety. There is debate on the validity of electrical safety testing – my response to this is do we stop testing airplanes for safety because they are safer than yesteryear? The answer is no, parts degrade, devices will fail and will not pass basic safety requirements. Notified bodies often find failures testing to IEC/UL 60601-1 when a manufacturer wants to bring a device to the market. Any electrical device poses a threat to patient safety and it is an essential device to have in any biomed shop.
Welby: There are several very important pieces of test equipment, however if I had to choose one, I would pick the Safety Analyzer. This is a very versatile piece of equipment for testing electrical leakage and is used on a wide variety of medical devices throughout the hospital or medical facility.
Q: What are some test equipment features biomeds should look for when purchasing?
Alkire: Test equipment accuracy specifications are always important to review before making a purchase. It is important to verify that the test equipment does meet the medical device manufacturer’s specific accuracy and testing requirements. Other important areas to consider are reliability, ease of use, compact size, testing automation and a standard 4-year warranty.
Holmes: Seeing is believing – so our team offers on-site demos or virtual meetings, allowing HTM professionals to focus on features/benefits related to their specific role. I would encourage today’s HTM professionals to review RTI’s new solutions and move away from the days of writing down or typing measured results into Excel. In addition, you should expect ease of use with plug-n-play probes, fast set-up time with 100m Bluetooth, multiple tool options for the same task such as measuring mA/mAs invasively or non-invasively, automated reporting, and customized test procedures to apply less heat to the tube.
Liu: Increased productivity through automation and an intuitive user interface should be on top of this list. With the continuous labor shortages, we need to look for ways to improve our efficiency. Test equipment with automation, whether CMMS integration or automated procedures, will help biomed teams in that direction, plus all modern products should be intuitive, simple to use, easy to train on, yet still rich in modern features to meet everyone’s needs.
Raiche: In today’s workplace, customers should look for durability, reliability and accuracy. These features are stalwarts of biomedical test equipment. Equipment needs to stand the test of time and hold up to transport from site to site and even the occasional drop (although it should be calibrated after any drop). The other aspect here is accuracy. The end game here is patient safety, so we want to ensure that what we are measuring with is accurate enough to meet the test requirements since, after all, we could be attaching a family member to that medical device.
Walton: Ease of use. Some test equipment requires an encyclopedic memory of the operating manual – to drive the device it should be an Olympic sport! Saying that, I’d single out specification. Clinical and biomedical engineers are metrologists, medical equipment measures parameters. Some medical devices have specific specification, accuracy and range of measurement and, of course, so do the analyzers and test tools. Medical manufacturers often recommend such test tools and can be brand-specific towards a recommended test instrument in a service manual or other literature. Some of these test tools could be obsolete. I think it is important to understand the underlying “or equivalent” message. My advice is to evaluate. Look at alternatives and demo equipment. Look for reliability, after sales service, the portability of the equipment, robustness, ergonomics, and ease of use.
Welby: Mobility is a key factor with biomeds. Having a piece of equipment that is easily portable, Bluetooth capability to improve throughput and reduce transcription errors, equipment you have confidence in its accuracy, and an upgrade path versus purchasing a new piece of equipment.
Q: What are the most important things to look for in a test equipment manufacturer?
Alkire: We at Pronk understand that the way of the future is cooperation and collaboration. This is on full display with our new Mobilize wireless solution that connects test equipment to your smart device so that biomeds can execute the testing wirelessly, including control of the test equipment and collecting all the test results to a smart device. It is also designed to be an open platform, capable of integrating other test equipment manufacturers’ products, such as defibrillator analyzers from Datrend and BC Group Intl., for example. This provides great flexibility for biomeds to service medical devices by using a single platform and user interface to complete the service and/or preventive maintenance. We are also in collaboration with additional manufacturers to join with us on the Mobilize platform.
Holmes: Your next investment should include a 3600 solution for routine checks, service-related events and preventative maintenance (PM). There are numerous factors to consider from the initial purchase to long-term support, service, future upgrade paths, and total cost of ownership (TCO). It’s critical that you find a system that is extremely reliable and precise with excellent repeatability. Beyond your purchase, look for a manufacturer with stable equipment, OEM recommended two-year calibration cycle, two-year warranty, 10- to 12-day turnaround times (TAT), and an online academy with how-to videos, training and support.
Liu: Product life expectancy and its serviceable life should be considered when purchasing test equipment. Many analyzers and simulators are used for 10-plus years in the field, having equipment to withstand extensive usage and having the ability to calibrate and repair those analyzers is extremely important for budgeting and reducing downtimes during its life cycle.
Raiche: Some questions HTM professionals should be asking themselves are:
Is your test equipment UL listed? (Does your equipment have all necessary certification for safe and effective usage?)
Does your manufacturer allow for global service and calibration? (Are the factory calibration points being measured? Am I sure my device is truly within tolerance? Can I calibrate my device across the globe with local service centers?)
How long has your manufacturer been in business? (Will my manufacturer continue to be in business for years to come? Do they have a reputation and standing in the industry?)
Does your manufacturer offer training and support? (Besides equipment, how does my manufacturer help get me up and running? How to operate my test equipment?)
Walton: Rigel Medical makes it easy to keep people safe. The value proposition goes beyond the device and features. Easy-to-access training, educating the community, having agile reactive support teams, local quality calibration and service. That is how I’d make my decision when investing in a manufacturer. Our test equipment is designed to fit the workflow and application of the job. We have highly portable equipment, but they are equally at home as a permanent bench top device. Handy for mobile and static engineers and that is important to us.
Welby: Support after the sale; both technical and calibration/service, reputation, user friendly, one that invests in research and development to improve the biomedical industry and having a selection of models to choose from to meet your needs without overspending on unwanted functionality.
Q: Can you tell readers about one product or update your company offers HTM professionals?
Alkire: One of our unique contributions is providing biomedical engineers the ability to add new features to their existing Pronk test equipment. We design our products with the capability to have future features added. For example, existing products in the field can be upgraded with Mobilize wireless connectivity. Even if customers purchased many years ago, the existing product can be enhanced with the latest advances. In the same way, our new Mobilize products are intended to serve biomeds far into the future.
Holmes: RTI is continually investing in new products, includes free updates to Ocean Next software, and recently released myRTI, personalized cloud-storage that provides data specific to your equipment. Staying out in front is partially driven by our relationships with major OEMs as they introduce new target/filter combinations, develop new products, and strive to meet current and future regulations. A few examples include the new scatter and leakage probe that meets the 10 cm² and 100 cm² requirements as well as the new RTI Ion Chamber in 10cm or 30cm. We also released the mA test point cable to promote significant time-savings and replace the need for an o-scope. RTI’s DAP Chamber in 86 x 86 mm and 147 x 147 mm is the perfect tool to meet the expanding need for dose area product measurements within CBCT.
Liu: Datrend is on the verge of releasing our vPad-Reports App. To be made available across our entire vPad portfolio, this App will allow technicians to create live signatures to sign off on their test reports, the ability for managers to review and approve reports with their own signatures if desired, and if your tests included graphs or charts generated from the test, they can become part of your report as well.
Raiche: One newer product in the Fluke Biomedical lineup is OneQA. OneQA is our workflow automation software which enables the standardization of procedures across your facility, enables the customization of procedures with pictures, tips, tricks, etc., the automation of procedures with Fluke Biomedical hardware and the ability to create reports with that test data – including the operation, test equipment, calibration date and much more. This solution is much more than just working faster, it ensures you are compliant across your facility.
Walton: My favorite product is the UniPulse 400, our defibrillator analyzer. So easy to use and do a PM in next to no time. You don’t really need to think about it, very self-explanatory. Products like this enable engineers to not waste energy learning the user interface and are fit for purpose to do the job as it covers all the energy waveshapes other devices cannot measure correctly. The enclosure is nice too, highly portable for on-the-go testing.
Welby: With Bluetooth capabilities growing in popularity, BC Group has developed Bluetooth Adapters (dongles) for our legacy instruments with communication ports. This allows an inexpensive avenue to have Bluetooth capabilities without having a large cash outlay for new equipment for the sole purpose of acquiring Bluetooth technology. As we develop new equipment, we are incorporating Bluetooth in these new products.
Q: What else do you think TechNation readers need to know about test equipment going into 2023?
Alkire: Test equipment solutions that can connect biomedical engineers to all the important procedures that they must have ready to access at any moment is a very important focus for Pronk. Capabilities to (a) access the medical device test procedures from your own smart device, (b) use test equipment that is integrated with wireless communication and control, (c) generate automatic electronic reports, and (d) connect wirelessly to the CMMS greatly improve the biomed’s ability to complete the required service more efficiently and effectively. We are really excited that the Mobilize Wireless Solution offers all these benefits that we believe will advance our industry well into the future.
Holmes: This is the perfect time to budget and plan your transition to new X-ray test equipment. We still find quite a bit of end-of-life (EOL) or soon to be EOL test equipment being used in the field. RTI’s trade-in program can help reduce acquisition costs and more importantly, upfit the HTM professional with the most advanced solutions. Lastly, the HTM hiring model has changed and it’s more common to hire less-experienced engineers. Ocean Next software also serves as an internal training tool with inserted hints and tips, standardized test procedures and images of the proper set-up.
Liu: The RoHS Directive, where electronic products must not exceed a set amount of harmful chemicals used, has been implemented by the EU for some time. Although only some states have enacted similar regulations based on the EU RoHS Directive, it is picking up steam globally. With our advancement in technology, we believe it is important to consider environmental implications on the products we purchase to help future generations.
Raiche: Be aware of cybersecurity. Think about secondary backups like OneQA can offer. Having a second site where your assets, procedures and results are managed can be a big help should there be an occurrence. Additionally, I’d urge you to think about onboarding and training new biomeds. Passing on your knowledge from old/senior biomeds to new biomeds can be quick and easy if procedures are built with all of that knowledge and experience. From the get-go, you can ensure your junior techs are running the same procedures as your seniors and ensure that that knowledge and experience is changing hands.
Walton: Rigel Medical is a well-established brand producing quality products, both in the U.S. and globally. We can’t stand still with what we offer, and we will keep developing new and exciting products going forward. The niche world of biomedical engineering can expect some surprises.
Welby: With the eminent retirement of many baby boomers, the biomed industry is preparing for doing more with less people. This gives way to the topic of how to retain high accuracy without sacrificing throughput. Bluetooth capabilities in testing equipment should play a major part in supplying a tool to accomplish the throughput while retaining high accuracy when choosing equipment.