Vendor Q&A: Telemetry Systems

Medical Dealer keeps readers updated on the latest in medical devices and equipment. This month we asked Pacific Medical owner Andy Bonin to share his insights on telemetry systems.

Q: What are the most important things to look for in a reputable third-party telemetry system provider? 

A: It is important to work with a company that offers extensive experience in telemetry. You want an organization with advanced testing equipment and certified technicians with a QMS in place. ISO certification is critical as well as a large selection of OEM certified parts and replacement units for in-house repairs. Pacific Medical holds dual ISO certifications, (ISO 9001:2008, 13484:2003), and the largest patient monitoring inventory in the industry. You want a company that offers a dedicated telemetry department that can grow with the customer and match their technologies to support their requirements after the sale.

Q: Is it possible to keep up with telemetry system technology without buying brand new? 

A: Yes. The goal is to select a company that offers a large variety of new and used telemetry systems and transmitters to meet existing telemetry technology. With a large inventory and the latest technology, the option is yours to upgrade existing systems rather than purchasing new. It is this type of support that empowers hospitals with the opportunity to keep up with the latest telemetry technology and the benefit of saving money by not having to purchase from a costly OEM.

Q: Please describe your telemetry system refurbishment process. 

A: Once received, the device is inspected and identified by serial numbers and asset tags for tracking purposes in our system. The unit is then passed to our state-of-the-art telemetry department where it is assigned to a technician. The technician completes a review of the physical appearance to detect any damage or flaws. Once the cosmetic repairs are completed, all PCBs are inspected, and the proper components are replaced or refurbished.  The device is then connected to the appropriate software tool to identify configurations and options. This data is stored and copied back to the customer’s original configurations by Pacific Medical’s specialized refurbishment process.

The device is then set to Pacific Medical’s PIIC/CIC settings to verify wireless transmission and all parameters are confirmed to be functional or in need of repair. The unit is compared to the customer’s complaint and is tested to make sure it is working to OEM specifications. After the device passes this testing period, it is discharged from the PIIC/CIC and finished.  The history of the testing is passed through a final evaluation and a secondary QC check is completed. The equipment is certified back to its fully functional working condition and set back to the customer’s configuration. The unit is sent to shipping and visually inspected, cleaned and packaged with its specific serial number and hospital equipment labels.

Q: What are the most important things to look for when seeking service for telemetry system devices? 

A: You need a vendor that you can trust and will be there for the lifetime of the equipment, offering specialized repairs and a dedicated department to service specific customer needs. It is important to confirm that the company provides before and after service support and a 12-month warranty to ensure less downtime. The company must have consistent parts availability and a service center that can perform component-level repairs. Pacific Medical’s values expand beyond telemetry and are visible in all aspects of our business. We believe that quality and communication are the foundation of our success and a key component for growth as a nationwide preferred vendor.

This article was originally published on Medical Dealer.