Clinical Engineering Bank

Overview

Biomedical Engineering

Biomedical engineering integrates physical, chemical, mathematical, and computational sciences and engineering principles to study biology, medicine, behavior, and health. It advances fundamental concepts; creates knowledge from the molecular to the organ systems levels; and develops innovative biologics, materials, processes, implants, devices, and informatics approaches for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, for patient rehabilitation, and for improving health - July 24, 1997.

Biomedical engineering combines engineering expertise with medical needs for the enhancement of health care. It is a branch of engineering in which knowledge and skills are developed and applied to define and solve problems in biology and medicine. Students choose the biomedical engineering field to be of service to people; for the excitement of working with living systems; and to apply advanced technology to the complex problems of medical care. The biomedical engineer is a health care professional, a group which includes physicians, nurses, and technicians. Biomedical engineers may be called upon to design instruments and devices, to bring together knowledge from many sources to develop new procedures, or to carry out research to acquire knowledge needed to solve new problems.

Biomedical engineering applies engineering methods, science and technology to problems in medicine and biology, and is a growing field that will continue to have a significant impact on health care. Biomedical engineering involves learning about biology in new ways and developing new tools to diagnose disease and to repair or replace diseased organs. Many students select biomedical engineering to be of service to people and for the excitement of working in a health field.

Biomedical engineering is interdisciplinary, that is, biomedical engineers work with other medical health care professionals as members of a team. Exciting advances in medicine, such as the artificial heart, pacemakers, medical imaging techniques, lasers, prosthetic implants, life support systems, and devices that help the paralysed walk, are the result of a team effort by biomedical engineers and other professionals.

Clinical engineering is a branch of Biomedical Engineering for professionals responsible for the management of medical equipment in a hospital.

Clinical Engineering

Clinical engineering is the application of technology for health care in hospitals. The clinical engineer is a member of the health care team along with physicians, nurses and other hospital staff. Clinical engineers are responsible for developing and maintaining computer databases of medical instrumentation and equipment records and for the purchase and use of sophisticated medical instruments. They may also work with physicians on projects to adapt instrumentation to the specific needs of the physician and the hospital. This often involves the interface of instruments with computer systems and customized software for instrument control and data analysis. Clinical engineers feel the excitement of applying the latest technology to health care.

Clinical Engineer (CE)

A clinical engineer is a professional who brings to health care facilities a level of education, experience, and accomplishment which will enable him to responsibly, effectively, and safely manage and interface with medical devices, instruments, and systems and the use thereof during patient care, and who can, because of this level of competence, responsibly and directly serve the patient and physician, nurse, and other healthcare professionals relative to their use of and other contact with medical instrumentation.[AAMI definition]

Another Definition

Clinical Engineer is typically responsible for the acquisition and management of medical device inventory, supervising biomedical engineering technicians (BMETs), ensuring that safety and regulatory issues are taken into consideration and serving as a technological consultant for any issues in a hospital where medical devices are concerned.

Biomedical Equipment Technician (BMET)

A biomedical equipment technician (BMET) is an individual who is knowledgeable about the theory of operation, the underlying physiologic principles, and the practical, safe clinical application of biomedical equipment. His capabilities may include installation, calibration, inspection, preventive maintenance and repair of general biomedical and related technical equipment as well as operation or supervision of equipment control, safety and maintenance programs and systems. [AAMI definition]

Clinical Engineer is a professional who supports and advances patient care by applying engineering and managerial skills to healthcare technology

Healthcare Technology Management

Healthcare Technology Management (also referred to as biomed, biomedical engineering, bio-medical engineering, biomedical equipment management, biomedical equipment services, biomedical maintenance, clinical engineering, clinical engineering management, clinical equipment management, clinical technology management, clinical technology services, medical equipment management, and medical equipment repair), is a fundamental part of managing, maintaining, and/or designing medical devices used or proposed for use in various healthcare settings from the home, the field, the doctor's office, and the hospital.

It includes the business processes used in interaction and oversight of the medical equipment involved in the diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of patients. The related policies and procedures govern activities such as the selection, planning, and acquisition of medical devices. through to the incoming inspection, acceptance, maintenance, and eventual retirement and disposal of medical equipment.

Medical equipment management is a recognized profession within the medical logistics domain. The healthcare technology management professional's purpose is to ensure that equipment and systems used in patient care are operational, safe, and properly configured to meet the mission of the healthcare; that the equipment is used in an effective way consistent with the highest standards of care by educating the healthcare provider, equipment user, and patient; that the equipment is designed to limit the potential for loss, harm, or damage to the patient, provider, visitor, and facilities through various means of analysis prior to and during acquisition, monitoring and foreseeing problems during the lifecycle of the equipment, and collaborating with the parties who manufacturer, design, regulate, or recommend safe medical devices and systems.

Some but not all of the healthcare technology management professional's functions are: