Reviewing the Impact of Medical Device Data on Patient Care

HIMSS Analytics and American College of Clinical Engineering (ACCE) align to study information technology applications for medical devices at healthcare organizations

CHICAGO (Oct. 8, 2008) – To evaluate patient safety and quality care benefits of medical devices that share data with EMRs, HIMSS Analytics and the American College of Clinical Engineering have agreed to jointly conduct an ongoing research study of medical devices in American hospitals.  As part of this research process, HIMSS Analytics will be creating benchmark reports for hospitals that complete the survey so that these organizations can more clearly compare their operations to peer hospitals.  This information can be used to review and defend allocations for both operating and capital budgets for the clinical engineering/biomedical operations.

According to the agreement, “the two organizations agree to collaborate in developing and conducting a census survey of mutually agreed-upon questions directed at hospital corporations regarding the collection of IT application information in US hospitals, initially those above 150 beds.”

“We partnered with ACCE and its membership of clinical engineers so that both of our organizations can review and better understand the impact of these interfaced medical devices in the delivery of patient care,” said Mike Davis, executive vice president for HIMSS Analytics.  “The data that we gather will provide a beneficial snapshot of how healthcare providers are integrating intelligent medical devices into the EMR environments to optimize patient care delivery.”

 “Clinical engineers and other healthcare technology managers are trying to grasp the magnitude of integrating their medical systems with EMR and other IT-based systems,” said Jennifer Jackson, president, ACCE.  “These peer-based results will inform our members about current integration trends and how they relate to our capital and operational programs.  Our organization is really looking forward to working with HIMSS Analytics on this unique program that will benefit all those interested in medical system integration.”
The medical devices that will be analyzed are:

• Physiologic monitors
• Defibrillators (defibrillator/monitor/pacemaker)
• Vital sign monitors
• Electrocardiographs
• Infusion Pumps
• Ventilators
• Cardiac output monitors
• Infant incubators
• Blood gas analyzers
• Blood glucose monitors
• Extracorporeal therapy systems
• Diagnostic ultrasounds
• Fetal monitors
• Radiologic/fluoroscopic systems
• Mammography systems
• Intra-aortic balloon pumps
• Anesthesia units
• Dialysis units

For more information on the study, contact Patti Harris, senior director of data acquisition & quality, HIMSS Analytics, by email at patti.harris@himssanalytics.org or by phone at 312.638.9460.

About ACCE:  The American College of Clinical Engineering (ACCE) was founded in 1991 with the commitment to enhance the profession of clinical engineering. With members in the United States and abroad, the ACCE is the internationally recognized professional society for clinical engineers with a mission to:

• Establish a standard of competence and to promote excellence in clinical engineering practice.
• Promote safe and effective application of science and technology in patient care.
• Define the body of knowledge on which the profession is based.
• Represent the professional interests of clinical engineers.

Visit http://www.accenet.org for more information.

Contact Us

Press Inquiries
Joyce Lofstrom jlofstrom@himss.org
direct: 312-915-9237
general: 312-638-9400
fax: 312-915-9288
230 E Ohio St
STE 600
Chicago, IL 60611