AAMI 101 – TechNation's Guide to the Annual AAMI Expo

AAMI 101 – TechNation's Guide to the Annual AAMI Expo

When HTM professionals want to know what is happening in their profession, they know where to turn. One organization exemplifies the meaning of utilitarian for the profession. It’s acronym is a household name among HTM professionals. It’s no surprise then, that the annual AAMI Conference and Expo is a storied event.

The AAMI conference keeps it real and relevant. AAMI says that their educational sessions “focus on key issues that healthcare technology management professionals are dealing with today.”

Taking place in the city of brotherly love May 31 to June 2, at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, the conference and expo attracts 1,500 attendees. Besides HTM professionals, the conference attracts asset managers, IT specialists and biomedical engineers.

U.S. federal government employees and students can get a discount on their registration fees. That holds true for AAMI members also. Registration can be for the full conference or for one day.

The conference always brings out respected keynote speakers, who are leaders in their respective fields. This year is no exception. Richard Boothman, JD, executive director for clinical safety and chief risk officer for the University of Michigan Health System will discuss the HTM professional’s role in the area of patient safety.

Speaking at the Dwight E. Harken Memorial and AAMI Awards Luncheon will be Alasdair K. Conn, M.D., and Ann L. Prestipino. Conn is the medical director for in-patient access and the transfer center chief of emergency medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital. Prestipino is senior vice president of the surgical and anesthesia services and clinical business development at the same hospital. Together, they will be discussing their hospital’s response to the Boston Marathon bombings.

Suzanne Gordon, journalist, author and patient safety advocate will present an interactive lecture and workshop. The title of her presentation is; “Bringing Critical Backstage Work to Center Stage: Explaining What it Takes to Deliver High Quality Healthcare.” The author of 15 books will explore the important role of those who maintain, manage and repair medical equipment.

AAMI points out that some of the highlights of this year’s event include a new workshop on networked medical technology risk management, which will be presented in partnership with the Healthcare Technology Foundation. Attendees will be able to see and touch the latest innovations with small bore connectors and meet the standards committee members working on this issue.

Additionally, participants will be able to hear directly from the experts on how to comply with the National Patient Safety Goal on alarm system management. A new general session will focus on the issues, struggles, and successes around being an HTM professional and will offer practical and relevant insights.

George Mills, The Joint Commission’s Director of the Department of Engineering, Division of Healthcare Improvement, will present a two-part session this year. His comments will provide an over-arching update along with a question and answer session.

“This should be an exciting year for those in Healthcare Technology Management. The Joint Commission has some new Elements of Performance to discuss along with a few challenges that will require attention,” says George Mills, MBA, FASHE, CEM, CHFM, CHSP, of his Sunday afternoon educational sessions.

“Building on previous discussions, the importance of an equipment inventory and associated management of equipment on that inventory will be discussed. This is a great opportunity for the Healthcare Technology Management team to interface with healthcare leadership and those who use medical equipment.”

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