A Synopsis of Clinical Engineering/ Biomedical Engineering

Dr. Haniff Murray, Phd, Clinical Engineer/Alternate Manager, Memorial Healthcare System

From an early recognition as the Biomedical Equipment fixers, Clinical Engineers (CE) or Biomedical Engineers (BE) migrated into all fields involved in medical equipment maintenance, repairs, administration, monitoring, and innovations to ensure patient safety for users of medical equipment. An essential asset to any company, CEs remove or reduce the need for many costly repairs and services from Vendors and Manufacturers utilizing their skills and knowledge in troubleshooting, repairs and management of medical equipment. Not to escape the significance and precarious nature of their work, for example, a malfunction of an anesthesia machine or electrosurgical unit in the operating room during a procedure, imperatively requires the skills and expertise of the CE to immediately resolve those concerns/ issues beyond those of the medical staff. Additionally, CEs hold responsibility for patient safety mitigating potential risk and costly errors through proper scheduled maintenance of all medical equipment in all modalities including X-Rays, MRI, CT, Ultrasound, Obgyn, Pediatric, Respiratory (ventilators), IR, Networking, Telemonitoring, Laboratories, and others.

With an earlier career of nine years as a Public Health Inspector, the desire to design medical devices became more interesting and imperative. Starting at ITT technical through Broward Community College, the opportunity for a career in Biomedical and Electrical Engineering found fulfilment with a bachelor’s degree at Florida International University. An opportunity to transfer knowledge and offer my skills and innovation began with employment at the Memorial Healthcare System (MHS).

With such innovative spirit, in 2008 I developed an intranet Biomedical Website to serve Clinical Engineers and the medical staff throughout the MHS providing device information, in-service training, troubleshooting tips, and links to other healthcare organizations (AAMI, Joint Commission, OSHA). Many changes occurred within the CE departments with the introduction of the website, and my general knowledge, pioneering and technical skills especially in troubleshooting, repairs, management, and the provision of educational materials for the clinical/medical staff provided value to the healthcare system. The intranet website remained an asset to the MHS.

My continued proclivity and aptitude for knowledge, propelled the completion of the MBA program with a concentration in Project Management. Later in 2019, I completed the PhD in Healthcare Business Administration supported by MHS partial tuition reimbursement. Interestingly, the dissertation concentrated on the Clinical Engineering Department throughout the USA with the phenomenological study obtaining responses from respondents inclusive of Hawaii and Alaska.

Focusing on identifying barriers to communication between leaders and CEs within the departments and ascertaining practical solutions, the study found prominent concerns impacting patient safety and job satisfaction which inevitably affected the business aspects of the MHS, and other healthcare institutions. The unveiling of the findings provided an opportunity for the MHS CE leaders and staff to share the national concerns and proposed solutions in the departments.

As the alternate manager during the Covid 19 pandemic, the opportunity allowed me to solely manage the new outpatient building with new medical devices, the demand for Vendor rental equipment, and the Miramar hospital simultaneously. In May during the Healthcare Technology Management week, I made a public educational presentation to the staff, and received recognition and appreciation from the Hospital’s Administrative Staff for such originality.

After almost 17 years in the Clinical Engineering Department at MHS, changes including adoption and integration in the IT segment, diversity with more female employment, and higher educational qualifications of new hires, set the stage for advancements and versatility within. The opportunity to serve as a Clinical Engineer promotes new heights in a rewarding career advancing healthcare technology through medical device management. Clinical Engineers hold wealth of information on the hundreds of varying degrees and types of medical devices enriching experiences and knowledge of great proportions. As a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success and other organizations, the desire for advancement stands paramount in an innovative career.