Tour of Radiation Therapy emphasising use of the linear accelerator. Our tour guide will be Allison Mitchell of BCCA. Meet in the lobby at 7:00 p.m.Space is limited.
The January/February Issue of Journal of Clinical Engineering will be devoted entirely to examining the impacts of change on our profession. Like everyone else in health care we have to adapt to change or we will be shut out. Should be a worthwhile read.
We recently attended the ACES meeting in Edmonton. Our Alberta counterparts (about 60) held a 2 day meeting full of seminars and presentations on a host of BME topics. Members reported on various investigations in ESU, TUR, and other co operative projects. An excellent turn out and a well organized program, Thanks to Gus Boetzkes of the U of A Hospital. The first presentation of a paper investigating the cost efficiency of TENS units was a Hi Lite. The result of the study won't make TENS manufacturers very happy. The paper will be presented Internationally at the Health Technology Assessment Conference and to the WHO. IBET will be exchanging newsletters with ACES. You may also see ACES members logging into our Bulletin Board in the New Year.
We attended this meeting for Biomeds from Minnesota and the Dakotas. Interesting to note the similarity of topics particularly in regards to "change". They are losing positions at a somewhat faster pace than Canada. The Clinton Health Plan has gone down to defeat but still it has contributed a lot to re-examination of the way we do things in Health Care.
The Quebec ATGB (Genie Biomedical) held their meeting at the University of Sherbrooke. About 150 attended various seminars and workshops plus a 12 company exhibit area. Quebec is currently the only province where Biomedical employment and activities are expanding. Our colleagues there are very pro active in embracing change. In summary a very Professional and enjoyable meeting.
Many areas of Canada including the Lower Mainland are waiting for the other shoe to drop. It remains to be seen at this point, whether this process will bring more efficiency or merely more bureaucracy. Meetings are continuing.
Your new IBET Executive for 1995 is: Graham Wickham, VGH, CHAIRMAN Bill Howe, St Pauls, VICE CHAIRMAN Ted Nodwell, ASTT. SECTY./TREAS. John Brooks, Kelowna General, will look after the Bulletin Board and Education. Bill Howe, St. Pauls, will look after Membership. Tony Franco, T.B.S. takes over Professional Affairs and yours truly R.F. Green, Inset, will put out this newsletter, if you all provide news and views. Sandra Swanson is our new BCIT Student Rep. (Welcome Sandra!) and Mike Barrett will continue to serve on the Board.
Got a program suggestion? Phone Graham at 875-4288.
To Dave Hale, Burnaby General, stepping down as Secty/Treas. sterling effort Dave) To Tony Franco, T.B.S., for Chairing the ship through rough seas and to Bruce Krishna, Royal Columbian, for Board Service.
Janet Lewis, RN, MA. The perfect glove- thin comfortable, easy to put on, puncture proof, non-latex, cool and usable throughout the procedure. A fluid barrier penetration detector, which is cost effective and user friendly. A vasovastomy approx instrument that is microscopic, modeled after an end to end stapling device and able to promote a view of internal layer for suturing. Forums and columns in Journals to promote better understanding between BMETS and Nurses.
All existing PTSM Standards have been changed to MEC "Management of the Environment of Care Standards". While they include the basics of the former standards i.e., safety, medical equipment and utilities management, the emphasis has changed into 5 new processes. Yet another change in BME directions!!
Dave Chiu starts a 1 term leave from the Biomed Program in January, to work on Distance Education via Internet.
Technicare are now offering QA Service for X-ray facilities. They have also expanded their Biomed Services with Technicians located in Kelowna and on Vancouver Island.
An excellent study of calibration techniques and standards in a large textbook "Calibration Philosophy in Practice" (2nd edition). Published by Fluke Corporation $95.00. A must reference for QA practice in any good service department.