Continuing Education Stream


You can find below information relating to the different sessions offered as part of the Continuing Education Program.  

CE1: The Evolution of Medical Device Integration - More than Just Automated Vital Signs Charting  

Presented by: Jennifer Jackson, Senior Director of Business Development, Masimo 

Time: May 28th, 2024 - 10:30am to 12:00pm

Description

  • Introduction to Medical Device Integration 
    • Role of Middleware
      • Parameters 
      • Alarms/Alerts
    • EHR/EMR Integration
      • Continuous vs spot check; validated vs unvalidated 
      • Role in Early Warning Score calculations and other Clinical Decision Support tools 
    • Clinical Alarm Forwarding
  • Current Trends with Integrating Medical Devices 
    • Feeding Vendor Neutral Archives, Data Lakes, Research Databases 
    • Advanced Clinical Alert Management 
      • Part of the organization's unified mobile communication platform 
      • Bi-directional interface
      • Integration with clinical respondent assignment engines 
    • Remote patient monitoring ''hubs'' or ''centers'' (formerly known as ''war rooms'') are back and not just for telemetry monitoring anymore.
    • Bringing analytics and algorithms closer to the bedside 
  • On the Horizon: Hospital to Home and Hospital at Home 
    • Wearables and IOT and Digital Health programs 
    • Virtual Care Centers similar to Patient Monitoring Hubs for inpatients, to provide continuity of care pre and post discharge 
    • Automation and A.I. in the inpatient setting 

CE2: Theranostics: Revolutionizing Personalized Medicine through Integrated Diagnostics and Therapy 

Presented by: Craig Shelley, Strategic Business Leader, Theranostics - GE 

Time: May 28th, 2024 - 2:20pm to 3:20pm  

Description: 

The lecture delves into the evolving field of theranostics, a groundbreaking approach that unites molecular diagnostics and therapeutics. The integration of diagnostic tools and therapeutic agents has significantly enhanced the efficiency and effectiveness of medical interventions, transforming the landscape of healthcare.

Key points covered: 

  • Understanding Theranostics 
  • Definition and concept of Theranostics: the fusion of diagnostic testing and targeted therapy.
  • How it enables real-time monitoring of disease progression and response to treatment, leading to more informed decisions 
  • Overview of advanced imaging techniques, molecular diagnostics and supporting analytics for accurate disease diagnosis and monitoring 
  • Future Directions and Challenges 
    • Emerging trends and innovations in Theranostics, such as the pipeline for novel therapeutics and supporting diagnostics, increased personalization, clinical program enablement, and artifical intelligence for data analysis and prediction 

CE3: AI's Impact on Healthcare 

Presented by: Dan Zikovitz, Director of Digital Innovation & AI, GE Healthcare 

Time: May 28th, 2024 - 3:45pm to 4:45pm 

Description: 

This presentation will delve into AI's impact on healthcare, spanning from its current applications to future considerations. We'll review three pivotal themes: Clinical Applications of AI in Healthcare, Ethical Considerations and Regulatory Frameworks, and AI-Driven Innovations in Biomedical Engineering. Join us as we uncover the tangible impact of AI, from enhancing patient care through early disease detection and personalized medicine to revolutionizing surgical interventions. Discover the ethical complexities and regulatory landscapes governing AI in healthcare and explore the latest advancements at the intersection of AI and biomedical engineering. Be part of this engaging discussion, where we'll navigate the transformative role of AI in shaping the future of healthcare.

CE4: Building and Leveraging a Connected Ecosystem for Improved Clinical Communicaiton, Workflow and Data Insights 

Presented by: Rich Mayoras, Director of Connected Solutions, Stryker 

Time: May 29th, 2024 - 10:40am to 12:00pm  

Description: 

  • Connected Ecosystems 
    • Why connectivity 
    • Connected devices (pumps, monitors, beds, etc.) 
    • Connectivity methods and needs (wireless, wired) 
  • Clinical communication and workflow
    • Challenges
    • Importance of master directory including staff assignment, presence/on-call, call by name/role/group, etc. 
    • Routing, escalation, filtering, prioritization and alert fatigue 
    • Secondary alarming with contextual information and data to inform decision making 
    • Use cases (Nurse Call, Monitors, Bed alarms, risk conditions, etc.) 
  • Leveraging Data and Analytics 
    • Data sources (devices, EHR, manual, etc.) 
    • Reporting (reactive, proactive) 
    • Enabling AI/ML (predictive) 

CE5 Cybersecurity in HealthCare (Regulatory Perspective) 

Presented by: Steve Trevino 

Time: May 29th, 2024 - 2:20pm to 3:20pm 

Description: 

The current state of medical device cybersecurity in healthcare is constantly facing new pressures and challenges such as increased cyber-attacks and finding the right staffing. Legislation intended to improve cybersecurity standards has been slow to keep up with the rapid increase of cyberattacks thus leaving health systems facing a unique set of challenges and struggling to figure out how to better secure medical device inventories on their own. Compounding the challenge is the reality of thousands of network-connected medical devices—many of which have active cybersecurity vulnerabilities. Coupled with an ever changing and evolving legislative and regulatory landscape, the terrain can be daunting. In this session, we’ll examine the current healthcare cyber landscape and best practices for advancing medical device cybersecurity in a healthcare setting. We will discuss proven frameworks for monitoring medical devices, assessing cybersecurity risk, and executing proactive remediation strategies that can work in nearly any setting fitting into your Clinical Engineering and IT processes and strategies. Clinical and biomedical engineering leaders with cybersecurity programs of any maturity level will increase their understanding of how to incorporate their organization’s medical devices into a broader cybersecurity strategy.

CE6: Medical Imaging Journey - An Inside Story 

Presented by: Ravi Anand 

Time: May 29th, 2024 - 3:45pm to 5:05pm

Description: One hundred years after the accidental discovery of x-rays, the National Academy of Sciences, named “Imaging Technologies” as one of the top twenty (#14) achievements of the century, which had made the greatest contribution to the quality of life. Such has been the journey of medical imaging. In this presentation we will discuss the basic principles behind different modalities, explore the journey of medical imaging and the journey ahead. The advancement in medical imaging has led to the development of innovative techniques, which utilizes different forms of energies to form visible images of the interior of a body that is invisible to the naked eye. Medical imaging has enabled us to look inside the patient without using a scalpel and to look at patient images at structural, cellular, and functional levels. This has helped reduce risk to the patients in not only diagnosis and treatment of diseases but also in early detection, prevention, and prediction. Medical imaging has helped advance health, it has made an enormous impact on the practice of medicine, and it is continuing to break new grounds. The medical imaging journey started with the discovery of x-rays in 1895 and that paved the way for scientific discoveries and development of newer medical imaging modalities. These developments are now leading us through the greatest journey of all – the journey within.

CE7: Incident Investigation

Presented by:  Andrew Ibey, CHEO and Colleen Turpin, Health Canada

Time: May 30th, 2024 - 8:40am to 10:00 am 

Description:  Incident investigations involving medical equipment in healthcare requires swift action, objective observation, and meticulous documentation. In this presentation, attendees will learn best practices for incident investigation and procedural techniques from beginning to end. This presentation will also provide health care professionals an overview of how hospitals and Health Canada approach medical device incidents.

Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) will discuss embracing a learning lens for each investigation, dealing with vendors, understanding clinician expertise, and building partnerships with like organizations/groups. The course will address summarizing findings, reporting to vendors, Emergency Care Research Institute (ECRI), and specifically how the CHEO reports incidents and works with Health Canada to resolve issues.

Health Canada will outline the medical device program’s departmental structure and provide an overview of the regulations for medical devices (MD) and medical device reporting. The presenter will provide insightful information on the process for reporting of medical device incidents (MDIs) to Health Canada and the incident investigational processes from the regulator’s perspective.

Attendees will leave with a better understanding of the importance of clinical engineering to assist with complex medical equipment investigations and confidence to systematically document and report necessary factual findings to Health Canada to detect and mitigate risk. Finally, some successes will be presented to show how the reporting process can improve patient safety.

The presentation will be followed by an open Q&A session.

CE8.1:  Blueprints for Health: Understanding the Basics of 3D Printing in Surgical Scenarios 

Presented by: Qwynn Ferreia, Biomedical Technologist & EIT, Sinai Health  

Time: May 30th, 2024 - 10:25am to 11:45am  

Description: The following topics will be discussed: 

  • An introduction to 3D printing and the importance of the technology
  • Workflow of 3D printing in the hospital 
  • Open source software to start 3D printing 
  • Basic Designs for Healthcare 3D printing 
  • Areas of Use in Healthcare

CE8.2:  Unleash the Future of Medical Innovation: Exploring Cutting-Edge 3D Printing with Stratasys 

Presented by: Richard Cromwell, Senior Application Engineer, Go Engineer An introduction to 3D printing and the importance of the technology

Time: May 30th, 2024 - 10:25am to 11:45am 

Description: Are you ready to revolutionize your approach to medical solutions with the latest advancements in 3D printing technology? Join me for a deep dive into the latest 3D printing advancements and how they can revolutionize your research and development.

From concept to clinic: Witness how Stratasys technology empowers biotechnology engineers, biomedical engineers, medical device manufacturers, and clinical researchers to accelerate innovation, personalize treatments, and improve patient outcomes. This presentation will showcase:

  • Real-world medical applications: Dive into case studies demonstrating the impact of Stratasys technology in areas like surgical planning and custom implants. 
  • Material breakthroughs: Unveil the latest advancements in biocompatible and high-performance materials, enabling the creation of strong, durable, and sterilizable parts. 
  • Streamlined workflows: Discover how Stratasys' integrated software and hardware solutions streamline your additive manufacturing process, from design to production. 

This is not just a presentation; it's an invitation to explore the future of medical innovation. You'll leave with practical insights, real-world applications, and a deeper understanding of how 3D printing can push the boundaries of possibility.

CE9: Mechanical Ventilation from a Clinical Perspective 

Presented by: Michael Long, Charge Respiratory Therapist, UHN 

Time: May30th, 2024 - 1:40pm to 3:00pm

Description: The goal of this presentation is to enhance the understanding of mechanical ventilation (MV) for non-clinical readers and provide entry points from an engineering perspective to grasp the fundamental mechanics involved. The presentation will cover the outcomes and challenges of MV. Additionally, it will explore technological advancements and the future directions of MV.

CE13: Cybersecurity in Healthcare, Fundamentals and Role of CE Professionals 

Presented by: Kajeevan Rajanayagam, Director of Cybersecurity, UHN

Time: May 29th, 2024 - 10:40am to 12:00pm 

Description: This presentation will discuss cybersecurity fundamentals of medical devices and systems, tools used for asset management, risk assessment and risk mitigation strategies and importance of staff education. Key points to be covered:

  • Device Inventory 
  • Device Posture & Security Advisories 
  • Network Segmentation using VLANs
  • Remote Access Policies 
  • Security Awareness 

CE14: Alarm Management - A Clinical Perspective and Lessons Learned 

Presented by: Nely Amaral, Senior Director, Nursing Practice & Clinical Quality and Magnet Program Director, Sinai Health 

Time: May 29th, 2024 - 2:20pm to 3:20pm 

Description: Clinical devices incorporate alarms to warn caregivers of relevant changes in the patient's condition or of circumstances that could adversely affect the patient. These warnings have saved many lives—but alarm-related adverse incidents do sometimes occur. If staff are not informed of a valid alarm condition in a timely manner, or if caregivers do not take appropriate action in response to the alarm, patient harm can result. This risk of harm—from a feature that is supposed to help prevent it—has been recognized, across many organizations as a key patient safety issue.

The presentation will provide a clinical perspective on a systematic, coordinated approach for safe clinical alarm management by covering the following points: 

  • Overall organizational governance on alarm management and device communication 
  • Clinical workflows (assignments, documentation) 
  • Comparison of 2 clinical care units (NICU and ICU) 
  • Policy - Lessons learned and change management 
  • Clinically appropriate settings for alarm signals 
  • When alarm parameters can be changed/disabled 
  • Monitoring and responding to alarm signals

CE15: Medical Device Integration - Streaming Clinical Data and Contextual Insights for Enhanced Patient Care Management 

Presented by: Cathleen Olguin, Solutions Consultant Leader - Clinical Integration and Insights Enterprise Informatics, Philips 

Time: May 29th, 2024 - 3:45pm to 5:05pm 

Description:The world is rapidly changing - faster than ever before - and the demands on Biomedical Staff and Clinicians alike continue to grow. Health systems today are dealing with understaffing, burnout and an escalating need for more flexibility, scalability, and efficiency. Patient Monitoring has not changed significantly in the last 40 years: innovation has been focused around the hardware and monitor parameters. Moreover, Monitoring was deployed at the department level, anchored at the bedside and central station. However, this is fundamentally changing… Patient Monitoring is witnessing the start of a seismic shift in how monitoring is assessed, procured and deployed. The future of Monitoring is an informatics ecosystem that seamlessly connects hardware, devices & caregivers everywhere.

Across the spectrum of medical devices and platforms, interoperability and data access have been challenging - until now. The future of Monitoring will support proactive care across clinical workflows throughout the patient’s journey. Data will be collected and integrated from all of your medical devices and deliver contextually rich device data for multiple uses, such as alarm management, decision support, clinical surveillance, retrospective analytics, and research. When data is aggregated and presented in context to the patient, you and your team can prioritize and coordinate interventions more effectively and efficiently. Delivering actionable patient data and making it available to the right healthcare personnel at the right time is fundamental to realizing the full value of medical device information and to delivering the highest quality of care.

Join us for this session which will define and provide information relating to medical devices and medical device integration incorporating the benefits and operational impact on clinical workflow and patient safety.

CE16: Imaging Technology - Ultrasound Probes Workshop 

Presented by: Taylor Bailie, General Manager - Repairs 

Time: May 30th, 2024 - 8:40am to 10:00am 

Description: This workshop will highlight the importance of regular inspection of all ultrasound probes to ensure safe, effective use.  In this workshop, the presenter will cover the following areas: 

  • Common defects (Cable, connector, strain relief, array, membrane, etc.) 
  • Testing methods (air scan, phantom, etc.) 
  • Evaluation using First Call (sensitivity & capacitance) 
  • 3D/4D & TEE 
  • Cleaning 
  • Repair