AAMI Update Webinars, Podcasts And Winning Gold

Practically every healthcare technology management (HTM) department has a computerized maintenance management system (CMMS), but only a few are using these systems to their full potential, according to two consultants who literally wrote the book on optimizing CMMS use.

Too often, a department’s CMMS becomes a time-consuming repository of “arbitrary data entry rather than a source of useful, actionable information,” explained Matthew Baretich, president of Baretich Engineering Inc. and co-author of “Computerized Maintenance Management Systems for Healthcare Technology Management (third edition)”.

To help HTM professionals turn their CMMS into a useful “management” and “technician assistance tool,” Baretich and co-author Ted Cohen, an HTM consultant and part-time project clinical engineer at UC Davis Health in California, developed a six-part webinar series that started in January.

“Our goal is to have everyone in HTM use their CMMS as a tool to help make their jobs easier,” Cohen said. “By learning how to collect, analyze, share, and use data, HTM departments can operate more effectively, which ultimately improves patient safety.”

Each webinar in the series addresses one specific aspect of CMMS use, such as benchmarking, medical device integration with the electronic medical record, or developing an alternative equipment maintenance plan.

“All of the sessions will cover how HTM folks can address these topics with data collection and data analytics using their CMMS,” Baretich explained. “They all will focus on ‘how to,’ with additional practical applications.”

Upcoming sessions include:

• Feb. 14: How to Do Benchmarking for Financial Management
• Feb. 28: How to Do Benchmarking for Quality and Performance Management
• March 14: How to Manage Medical Device Integration, Cybersecurity, and Other HTM-IT Issues
• March 28: How to Select and Implement a New CMMS Program

More information about the interactive webinar series is available at www.aami.org/CMMSwebinars.

New Podcast Provides Tips for Developing an AEM Program

What’s the optimal way to perform preventive maintenance? Although implementing an AEM program can save health care facilities time and money, the concept has caused confusion for many in the healthcare technology management (HTM) community. There’s even a lack of consistency when it comes to the basic definition. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) defines AEM as “alternate equipment management,” whereas The Joint Commission uses “alternative equipment maintenance.”

“Frankly, it’s difficult to parse out when CMS, Joint Commission, and the other accrediting organizations actually require, and so I think that HTM professionals have been reluctant to jump into it,” said Matthew Baretich, president of Baretich Engineering and author of AAMI’s “AEM Program Guide: Alternative PM for Patient Safety.”

In the latest episode of the AAMI Podcast, Baretich seeks to cut through the confusion by offering practical, real-world guidance for implementing a well-crafted AEM program and remaining compliant with applicable standards and regulations.

This AAMI Podcast episode, along with more than 20 others, is available at www.aami.org/podcasts.

Winning the Gold, AAMI Foundation Scholarship Program Expands

The AAMI Foundation raised more than $110,000 in 2017 for its scholarship program as part of the “Going for Gold” campaign to the celebrate AAMI’s 50th anniversary, surpassing its ambitious goal of $100,000. Because of this outpouring of support, the Foundation will be able to expand the program this year from five scholarships to seven.

“We are so grateful to the corporations, both large and small, and individual AAMI members and supporters for their generous contributions,” said AAMI COO Steve Campbell. “On more than one occasion this year, I’ve told a donor ‘You made my day,’ and I meant it. These donations go directly to the students who need the financial help.”

Some of the most generous supporters in 2017 included Crothall Healthcare, Healthmark Industries, Medtronic, Becton Dickinson & Co, Alpha Source, UL, TriMedx, Sodexo, and DOTmed.

Since the program’s inception, the AAMI Foundation has awarded scholarships to 21 students with diverse backgrounds and career aspirations, many of whom are now enjoying thriving careers in healthcare technology.

“Make no mistake, these scholarships can shape a student’s career and life,” Campbell said. “For some, this support is the boost they need to continue their education and begin a rewarding career. It also means a lot to the healthcare technology management field to help fill vacancies resulting from a growing number of retirees and help groom future leaders.”

More details about the program, including how to donate, can be found at www.aami.org/scholarships.

Originally published in TechNation Magazine.