"Typically the PM (preventive maintenance) doesn't find much wrong. We replace batteries on a regular basis because they can be away from an outlet and go dead. We clean the printheads, make sure the printer drives are working, and check physical integrity and electrical safety," Johnson said. "The problems with the machines almost entirely happen in use. The most common things are failure to get a proper signal or for the signal not printing out. The thing we often work on is cabling."

Johnson and other engineers suggested that users take care not to roll equipment over cables and leads and to avoid crimping or wrapping them around the cart leg or handle when storing the equipment. Be gentle to avoid equipment or cabling breakdowns.


"Leads and accessories are the biggest issue. They are tugged, run over, bent, and not properly stored. If care is taken with lead wires, it avoids many issues and saves money," noted Justin Jeffries, COO of DRE, Inc. The Louisville, Kentucky firm provides a combination of new and professionally refurbished equipment. (They recently came out with a new multi-parameter vital signs monitor, see DM 10355.) "Be careful to not place the machine in a situation where items could fall or spill on the display screen," Jeffries added.

Continuous patient monitors require additional attention to CRT tubes,
LCD displays, backlights, driver boards, screens and cases.

As with many other medical technologies covered by DOTmed, industry watchers report that, health care providers are slow to buy new EKG and patient monitoring equipment lately, increasing demand for good service solutions.

"People are biding their time till they can get the new monitoring systems, keeping the old stuff running as long as they possibly can," said Michael Mohs, Biomedical Services Coordinator for DMS Topline Medical. A division of DMS Health Technologies, DMS Topline Medical provides reconditioned patient monitoring and other equipment.

Mohs noted that the parts business is growing in the EKG market. "With today's economy, people aren't ready to buy new so we are seeing a big upswing on parts," he said.

New Equipment Innovations

Surprisingly for this rather unsung area of technology, several impressive advances have come to market of late.


In 2008, Philips introduced its DigiTrak XT Holter Monitor, an amazingly small unit that looks like a cell phone worn on the belt.

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