By Keri Forsythe-Stephens

Before I begin my usual commentary, I want to wish 24×7 Magazine a happy (almost) birthday. Twenty-two years ago this June, 24×7 Magazine premiered on the scene in print—and we’ve been the leading voice of the HTM sector ever since. Reaching this milestone was no easy task, and I want to thank my predecessors and wonderful publisher, Sharon Farley, for making 24×7 Magazine the success that it is today. I also want to thank you, my dear readers, for your loyalty and consistent readership. Without you, we would not be celebrating this landmark birthday.

Keri Forsythe-Stephens, Chief Editor

Keri Forsythe-Stephens, Chief Editor

I also believe 24×7 Magazine’s longevity is largely attributable to our ability to stay on the pulse of the HTM sector and cover the most relevant, up-to-the-minute news. As a digital-first publication, we publish our articles online first—which allows us to stay fluid and report on HTM’s biggest headlines as they happen.

And suffice it to say that HTM has garnered some headlines lately. The biggest one in recent weeks? The FDA’s decision to not impose more regulations on third-party service providers. On May 15, the agency announced that despite the push for more regulations—largely from OEMs and the OEM-backed Medical Imaging & Technology Alliance—they found insufficient evidence to currently “justify imposing additional/different burdensome regulatory requirements” on third-party servicers of medical devices.

Instead, the FDA is looking to establish so-called “Collaborative Communities”—public-private forums that agency officials say will address the challenges of “delivering high-quality, safe, and effective servicing of medical devices.” The only catch? Stakeholder groups must be willing to get behind these communities.

In an online article posted to www.24x7mag.com (Read it for yourself at goo.gl/6kC9Gi.), 24×7 Magazine editorial board member Binseng Wang lauded the FDA’s report as “balanced” and “objective” in the comments section. He especially endorsed the creation of Collaborative Communities, although he said that seeing this idea come to fruition may be challenging “since money is the ultimate root cause.”

Scot Mackeil, AAMI’s 2018 “BMET of the Year” recipient, also expressed his pleasure with the FDA’s decision in the comments section. Still, he said, the battle is far from won. After all, Mackeil wrote, “Equipment manufacturers’ trade lobbyists will be trying to get federal legislation going that serves interests that are not in sync with what [I believe] is best for America’s HTM profession and the caregivers and hospitals we serve.”

Do you agree or disagree with Wang and Mackeil’s assessments? Why or why not? E-mail me at [email protected] and let me know—and, in the meantime, thanks for your loyal readership.

Also, I want to wish everyone a happy Healthcare Technology Management Week from the 24×7 Magazine team! Thanks for all you do to improve the delivery of healthcare.

Keri Forsythe-Stephens is chief editor of 24×7 Magazine.