BMETS Newsletters Feburary 1997

BMETS - The Baltimore Medical Engineers and Technicians Society, Inc. - Is the Clinical / Biomedical Engineering organization for Baltimore and surrounding area. Membership is open to anyone with an interest in clinical engineering. The BMETS newsletter is intended to disseminate information and ideas to its members. Articles for publication in this newsletter may be Faxed, E-mailed, or mailed to the BMET Secretary at the following address. Roy E. Leake, CBET 1808 Oriole Ct. Severn, MD 21144

A Message from the President
By Paul D. Ford

Since the elections of officers is this month, and I am not running, it means that this is the last time you will have to put up with my poor punctuation, bad sentence structure, and meandering articles. That being said, I would like to say how much I have enjoyed holding the office of president. I may, at a later date, run again. I want to wish the incoming officers the best of luck, and to have a great time running the organization.

Now the bad news, the person nominated for secretary at last month’s meeting has now declined. This leaves the office vacant for at least the first month of the next meeting year. Our bylaws state that a nomination can only be made at a regular meeting, and a ballot must be sent out for voting. Consequently, the May meeting is the first opportunity for nomination, and the ballot can be sent out shortly after that.

We Need Nominations
for Secretary!!!

This is one of the most important jobs in the organization. If the membership wants to receive this newsletter, the secretary is the one who gets it done. We have come a long way from the newsletter published when I first joined the society. I would like to see the improvements continue.

Last month, a thought occurred to me (a first), that when the AAMI conference is in Washington again, the BMETS should man a booth at the exposition. This will give us some exposure to many local biomedical technicians and local hospitals. This exposure may help with membership and make us more visible in the Washington/Baltimore area. This was just a thought, I do not know what the costs involved in setting up a small booth would be. I would like to know what everyone thinks about the idea.

I am looking forward to seeing everyone this month at the meeting, and bring a nomination for secretary with you.

SBET INFO

Here is some more recent information on the SBET chapter membership for BMETS members. It seems that SBET did not have a list of our membership. I talked to a customer service agent who identified herself as Missy. She requested a faxed copy of our membership which I sent. She stated that when any member of our organization registers, we should identify ourselves as an SBET member through BMETS, this would allow us to pay the AAMI membership fee for registration at AAMI events. For more information please contact customer service at 703-525 4890 and select your preference electronic selection menu.

Update on RSTI's New Training Program

There has been a tremendous response to the RSTI multi-vendor family of courses. We have made significant progress in our lab equipment installations. Listed below is the equipment now installed at the RSTI training Center. Siemens Optimatic R/F System,Polyphos 50 Urology System, MP712 Rad System, Polydoros 80/100 Rad System, Polydoros 80s (in progress) Picker Vector 100 Rad System, MTX 80, Rapido 400 System, VTX 1050 Rad System GE MPX Cardiac Cath Lab, Advantx R/F System, MVP (in progress) Phillips OM200 Cath Lab, Super CP Angio room (in progress) Digital Eigen DDR, Adac, Phillips DVIS Ultrasound Acuson 128, ATL Ultramark 9, HP 500++, HP 1000 (in progress) RSTI is making sure your training center has the latest equipment. Call RSTI at 1-800-229-7784 to obtain X-ray family and product-specific course outlines.

PHASE V ADDED TO RSTI’S X-RAY CERTIFICATE SERIES

In response to the numerous requests for training on digital image processing, RSTI is pleased to announce an additional Phase to the X-Ray Certificate Series. Phase V, “Advanced Digital Image Processing,” is a hands-on course covering the fundamentals and advanced concepts of digital image processing. The course includes calibration and performance testing of imaging systems that use diagnostic software for image calibration, CCD camera operation and integration, and digital add-on components for fluoroscopy, spotfilm, or cine. The following lab equipment will be used to perform Hands-on laboratory exercises; Nical, EEF, Elmo, Philips and various, other CCD cameras, GE Advantx and Siemens Polydoros 80S R/F systems, and Eigen DDR, Fluorovision, and other digital acquisition systems. Phase V will be offered on the following dates: April 21-May 2, June 2-13, August 4-15, September 8-19. For those of you who have completed RSTI’s X-Ray Certificate Series, Phases I-IV, there is a special introductory price of $1600 for Phase V. Call Anna at 1-800-229-7784 to register. CRES TRAINING PACKAGE AVAILABLE AT 20% DISCOUNT IN MARCH AND APRIL Thinking about taking the CRES exam? Thinking it might be tough? RSTI is here to help you by providing a self-study package designed to help you pass the exam and obtain CRES (Certified Radiological Equipment Specialist) certification from the ICC (International Certification Commission). We developed the CRES package to assist those of you who prefer self-study or cannot get away for a classroom review session. The self-study package is divided into nine criterion-referenced modules, each focusing on a different topic covered in the exam. The modules contain both practice exams with answers and exams which must be returned to RSTI for grading and are eligible for 2 CEUs from the University of Arkansas. Don’t cram for the CRES exam by taking a review course. The certification process is much more important than being tested on what you learned in the two days prior to taking the test. Certification is proof of your competency as a radiology equipment specialist, something that takes years to achieve. As a special incentive, RSTI is offering a 20% discount on the self-study package form now through April 30, 1997. The list price of $398 will be reduced to $318.40. For details on the package or to take advantage of this special offer, call Anna Dovic, RSTI’s training registrar at 1-800-299-7784.

Monthly Meeting

May 15, 1997 Imaging (Flouroscopy) Contents: Test Equipment required for JCAHO inspections Basic imaging parameters Limitations of imaging systems Where not to look when calibrating imaging systems Speaker: Dale Cover, CRES Sponsored By: RSTI Location: Sheraton Baltimore North Hotel 903 Dulaney Valley Rd 410-321-7400 Directions: Exit 27A, Dulaney Valley Rd. less than a mile, Sheraton on left. Directions supplied by: Gordon Holder 410-337-1191 Agenda: 6:30 pm - Food and Beverages 7:30 pm - Business Meeting 7:45 pm - Presentation

Jobs

Premier/Adventist HealthCare has an opening for an entry-level Biomedical Equipment Technician to provide service at Washington Adventist Hospital. Shady Grove Adventist Hospital, and other related Adventist entities. An associate degree in biomedical equipemnt technology or equivalent is required. Fax resume to the attention of Brian Porras at 301-891-6355 or Mail to: Brian Porras Washington Adventist Hospital 7600 Carroll Ave. Takoma Park, MD 20912 Attn: Clinical Engineering (Biomed)

Help on the web for Countdown to Computer Clock-out

Companies like Transmillennium Services can be found on a web page dedicated to the whole issue of making your computerized systems and equipment function after the clock chimes 12:01 am on the first day of the year 2000. The ITAA is also on the web and lists some sixty IT companies that claim to have the date finders for many software applications. Find them on the web at: www.year2000.comwww.ita.org

Yearly Planner

May
15 Thurs - BMETS monthly meeting
Sponsor: RSTI
New Officers announced
28-30 - DITEC ‘97
June
7-11 - 32nd Annual AAMI Meeting & Exposition
Sheraton Washington Hotel
Washington, DC
September
17 Wed - BMETS monthly meeting
October
16 Thur - BMETS monthly meeting
November
19 Wed - BMETS monthly meeting