Online Courses in Medical Technology Application, Support and Management Improve Cost- Effectiveness and Patient Safety J. Tobey Clark, MSEE, CCE, FACCE, SASHE University of Vermont, USA Funding from the Pan American Health & Education Foundation, World Health Organization, Geneva, and the Pan American Health Organization, Eastern Caribbean Presented by James Wear, PhD CCE CHSP FASHE FACCE FAIMBE World Congress 2012 Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering Beijing, China 08:00-08:15, Sunday, May 27
Why Online Learning? Asynchronous 24x7 access Online educational resources always available Does not interfere with work or other activities Cyberspace no limitation on location Just need a computer and connection No travel time No set scheduling No travel costs gas, parking, tolls, tickets
Key attribute of online courses: Documents WHO Medical Device site Tutorials Case studies Scenarios Videos Full Use of the World Wide Web Resources! Academic, YouTube, Industry Computer-based simulations From the EMS Professional website
Need for Training in Developing Countries Limited medical device regulations, A high percentage of devices that are out of service, Weak after sale device support with nearly all service from manufacturers or their representatives, A shortage of technical staff in hospitals with few trained in medical technology support Very limited maintenance budget, and Limited technology management
Project Funding Grant submitted to Pan American Health and Education Foundation (PAHEF) in December 2005 to develop a bilingual on-line course in Medical Equipment Technology and Clinical Engineering Original Funding June 2006-July 2008 Course in English completed and taught in year one Course in Spanish completed and taught in year two Additional funding WHO & PAHO 2009 (Eastern Caribbean) PAHEF 2011-2012 (Argentina)
PAHEF Grant Faculty Dr. Jose Maya, Universidad Instituto de Ciencias de la Salud, Colombia Dr. Juan Valencia, Universidad Instituto de Ciencias de la Salud, Colombia J. Tobey Clark, University of Vermont, USA (Principal Investigator) Eco. Rossana Rivas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Peru Ing. Luis Vilcahuamán, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Peru (not pictured) Ing. Tatiana Molina, Universidad Instituto de Ciencias de la Salud, Colombia (not pictured) Ing. Antonio Alvarez, Universidad Technological Nacional/Mendoza, Argentina
Initial Course Evaluations Initial Evaluations (Vermont 2007-2008) 80% BMETs, 10% nursing, 10% miscellaneous Met expectations, relevant, well organized 100% 16 of 29 modules excellent; 13 minor revisions Discussion Board questions and responses rated highly Participant mix and approval rating (Colombia 2008) 56% professionals (30% Biomedical engineers, 21% EE or bioengineer) 44% students (2/3 rd Biomedical engineering) 85% Approval rating Participant mix and approval rating (Peru 2008) 100% professionals - engineering, nursing, and technicians Importance and quality high 100%
Course Audience Designed for 1. Primary: Technical staff in hospitals BMET, electricians, maintenance and other technical personnel 2. Engineers without training in medical equipment, life sciences, healthcare, and other areas career changers 3. Nursing and other clinicians 4. Administrators and managers
On-line training courses Areas covered for each device/topic area: Principles of operation Proper clinical application Device safety Common problems and solutions Inspection, testing and preventative maintenance Technology management
Biomedical Equipment Technology Sequence* Three online courses plus one laboratory course Patient Care Equipment (Basic) Advanced Medical Equipment Systems Healthcare Technology Management Medical Equipment Application 1 week hands-on laboratory course or equivalent internship * University of Vermont course offering
Patient Care Equipment Online Course HLTH 25 Introduction Healthcare Technology Environment of Care Regulations and standards Preventing & Resolving Problems QA and PM Troubleshooting and repair Basic principles Overview of the human body Medical terminology Mathematical and measurement principles Electrical, mechanical, optical and computer concepts Electronics, motors, power systems
Measurement and diagnostic instruments Electrocardiography Cardio-respiratory Fetal and neonatal monitoring Therapy devices Defibrillators External Pacemakers Infusion and medication technology Ventilators Patient Care Equipment Online Course HLTH 25
Medical Equipment Application, QA, and Service Laboratory Hands-on course HLTH 26 Safety, QA, metrology, troubleshooting, program basics ECG, blood pressure, SaO2, Apnea and Fetal monitors Defibrillators, infusion devices, ventilators Location University of Vermont, other sites or independent study via internships
Advanced Technology Systems Online Course HLTH 135 Imaging systems Radiography Fluoroscopy Computed tomography Nuclear medicine MRI Ultrasound Therapy devices Surgical devices Physical therapy Radiation therapy Clinical laboratory Clinical information systems/emr
Healthcare Technology Planning and Management Online Course HLTH225 Medical equipment, information technology and converged technologies Planning cycle Management cycle Clinical engineering departments Setup Operation Best practices
Results 2007-2012 Over 900 students from 28 countries have taken course Colombia, Peru, Mexico, Venezuela, Uruguay, Costa Rica, Bolivia, Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay, Chile, Argentina, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Barbados, Jamaica, Grenada, Antigua, St. Lucia, Belize, British Virgin Islands, St. Vincent, St. Kitts, Turks & Caicos, France, Spain, China, and the USA English & Spanish versions taught at: Universidad CES in Medellin, Colombia Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Peru in Lima, Peru Universidad Technological Nacional/Mendoza, Argentina University of Vermont in Vermont, USA
Course Challenges Technology infrastructure Availability of high speed lines Computer availability Showing the value of the course Awareness Value to healthcare improvement in the country Value to administration, authorities and supervisors Allowing staff time to take the course Resource commitment Continual updates As technology changes Dead link replacement
Future Directions Versions focused on Nursing and other clinical staff Administration Information technology staff Portuguese translation Brazil, African countries speaking Portuguese French translation Francophone countries
Reference Links http://learn.uvm.edu/health-3/areas-ofstudy/biomedical-equipment-technologysequence/?page=biomedical-equipmenttechnology.php http://its.uvm.edu/medtech/index.html http://www.who.int/medical_devices/poster_a19.pdf Tobey.clark@uvm.edu
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