PLYMOUTH MEETING, PA--ECRI, an independent, nonprofit health services research agency, is offering a free educational breakfast seminar, "Take Control: Hazard and Recall Management Strategies," which will be held at Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, MI on Thursday, September 14, 2006.

The seminar, which is suited for hospital-based biomedical and clinical engineers, materials managers, risk managers, and patient safety officers, is aimed at providing insight into regulatory and accreditation requirements related to medical device hazards and recalls. It will also cover some of the common pitfalls and difficulties hospitals encounter when attempting to meet these requirements.

"Managing hundreds of device recalls can be a daunting task for hospitals," says James P. Keller, vice president, health technology evaluation and safety. Keller, one of the seminar presenters, says discussions will include a review of best practices for hazard and recall management and issues such as using standardized nomenclature for device inventories, improving information dissemination, clarifying roles, establishing documentation processes, and more. In addition to Keller, Kenneth Ross, Senior Associate, Health Systems Group will present.

Seminar attendees will also learn about ECRI's Alerts Tracker, the first online tool for automating the hazard and recall management process from beginning to end. The system quickly relays hazard and recall alerts throughout the hospital via weekly e-mails containing information customized to each staff member's clinical/professional area and individual preferences. ECRI's Alerts Tracker is available only to members of ECRI's Health Devices System, Health Devices Gold, and SELECTplus^TM healthcare technology advisory services.

"This is a practical and effective seminar that explains how to incorporate and implement new tools that positively impact our technology risk management program," said Yadin David, director of biomedical engineering, Texas Children's Hospital, and past seminar attendee.

The seminar will be held on Thursday, September 14, at Beaumont Hospital, 3601 W. Thirteen Mile Road, Royal Oak, MI 48073. The event is scheduled from 8:00 to 10:30 a.m. for hospital-based biomedical and clinical engineers, risk managers, materials managers, and patient safety officers. There is no fee to attend the seminar; however, reservations must be made in advance due to limited seating.

Reservations must be received by Monday, September 11, 2006. To make reservations, contact ECRI by telephone at (610) 825-6000, ext. 5700, or by e-mail at events(at)ecri.org. Please provide your name, title, organization, telephone number, and e-mail address as well as event code PAT060901.

For more information on "Take Control: Hazard and Recall Management Strategies" seminar, Alerts Tracker, or the Health Devices System, or to host an event, visit ECRI's Web site at www.ecri.org or contact ECRI by mail at 5200 Butler Pike, Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462-1298, USA; by telephone at (610) 825-6000, ext. 5891; by fax at (610) 834-1275.