EBME
as the link between the IT department and clinical engineering. They would act as a ‘conduit between the two different skill sets’, possessing a shared vocabulary and understanding. “Trusts that have already done this have
written a job description that is different to the normal clinical EBME technician and have employed these people with huge success,” one of the EBME experts reported. Other Trusts have achieved this on a smaller scale, where they have a trusted member of staff who has acquired some IT knowledge. By working closely with the IT department, they are able to gain the trust of their IT colleagues, allowing them to “do more than they otherwise would.” The panelists agreed that this would speed up fault diagnosis and repairs. The EBME leads were in agreement that there
are challenges around communication between IT and EBME departments, which need to be improved. One of the EBME leaders, who experienced issues with an offsite clinic, explained that this site was networked into a server, located back in the Trust: “I went to the site, to look at the equipment, and they said they’d had an issue with it connecting to the server, so somebody from IT came out and altered some of the network settings on the device. I said, ‘Hang on, a minute, we need to know if there’s been an issue with the device because it’s our service record.’” The EBME lead pointed out that unintended risks can arise if IT alters the device settings, in such scenarios. Hence, they suggested that there needs to be more clearly defined parameters to fully understand exactly ‘at what point IT gets involved’. Some EBME leads said their Trusts were
already working collaboratively with IT and were finding this closer relationship and better integration very beneficial. “We were very lucky that our IT manager put a business case together and we now have a person focused on cybersecurity,” another EBME leader reported. While the relationship between IT and
EBME was working well, at this particular Trust, they felt that more resources are needed to ensure device security: “We know what the risks are… Currently, it’s just myself, as Medical Device Safety Officer (MDSO), and a cybersecurity person working together looking at devices, but it’s not enough. “Medical engineering needs to be working
together with cybersecurity, so they have that expertise between them. It’ll give us something to go on until, in time, things are more defined on whose role it is and what training is appropriate…it’s all very new.” They added that there is too much
reliance on OEMs when it comes to network configurations, software updates and cyber security in general. All too often, engineering say, “that’s not our territory” and this needs to change. EBME teams need to be able to challenge the OEMs and hold them to account. It was reported that one notable Trust in the North has procured an individual to specifically work with their medical engineering team to address such issues. “I’m not saying that has to happen in
every organisation, but as long as you’ve got someone in IT who is linking in and learning medical engineering, and you invite them to places like this, it will help them to develop an understanding, so there is a two-way shared learning,” one delegate pointed out. Some IT departments are more willing to work with clinical engineering than others,
the EBME leaders agreed. Consequently, some Trusts are much further ahead, and one healthcare provider was singled out as an exemplar (Sandwell) – where the Medical Engineering department now reports directly into the Director of IT and Digital. This means they “work incredibly closely together.” “Obviously, they had a new hospital to deal with, so there was a lot of focus on the connectivity and infrastructure,” one of the EBME experts commented. “However, hospitals are increasingly bringing in new technologies with connectivity. Whether building a new hospital or refurbishing, you need to make sure that you have a voice and that you are talking with the project team. It’s about getting into that room and explaining. It’s a great idea to bring IT colleagues to an event like EBME Expo too, because there’s a big focus on the connectivity
Bringing innovation to life Anteris TM Ultra Operating Tables
Versatile, high-capacity table with 544 kg load, smart controls, modular design, and full imaging access for all surgical disciplines.
Discover the power of precision.
Explore the Anteris Ultra range and confi gure your perfect surgical setup today.
brandon-medical.com/anteris-ultra-operating-table/
October 2025 I
www.clinicalservicesjournal.com 31
t
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68
