AAMI’s annual Healthcare Technology Management (HTM) Week celebration, running May 20–26, seeks to promote awareness of—and appreciation for—the critical work of biomedical equipment technicians, clinical engineers, imaging specialists, laboratory equipment specialists, and other professionals who manage and maintain the vast assortment of technology utilized in healthcare today.

“The technology being used and introduced into healthcare facilities is getting increasingly more complex, making HTM professionals’ role in purchasing, managing, and maintaining medical devices more important than ever,” says Danielle McGeary, AAMI’s vice president of HTM. “Unfortunately, their vital role in providing outstanding patient care is often under-appreciated or goes unnoticed. That’s why HTM Week is so important—it’s an opportunity to spread awareness about the great work and service that HTM departments do every day and a way to say thank you.”

AAMI’s Technology Management Council (TMC) has planned a number of events that will run throughout HTM Week. Some of the highlights include:

Free Online Town Halls

The TMC will host three free virtual town hall meetings that will focus on the future of the HTM field:

  • The Bright Future of HTM, Tuesday, May 22, 1 p.m.–2 p.m. EST
    During this session, AAMI President and CEO Robert Jensen and McGeary will explore the evolution of the HTM field, including professional development opportunities and the collaborative environment that HTM will be a part of in the future.
  • Artificial Intelligence, Data, and the Future of HTM, Wednesday, May 23, 1 p.m.–2 p.m. EST
    How will artificial intelligence and big data impact the daily work of HTM professionals? Anthony Faddis, a BMET at the University of California, San Francisco Medical Center, will examine the possible impacts of this technology during the TMC’s second town hall meeting.
  • True IV Pump Utilization: Exploring the Interface between Pumps and Real-Time Location Services (RTLS), Thursday, May 24, 1 p.m.–2 p.m. EST
    During this session, Dave Dickey, vice president of clinical engineering for McLaren Health Care, will explore a novel project undertaken by his facility to investigate the interface between IV pumps and RTLS to determine true IV pump utilization.