by
John R. Fischer, Senior Reporter | August 15, 2022
From the August 2022 issue of HealthCare Business News magazine
Since provider needs are constantly changing, non-OEM servicers should update their contracts frequently to reflect a practice’s growth and its capabilities, according to Jason Crawford, president of Block Imaging parts and service, in Michigan, which services new and refurbished imaging equipment. “As an in-house service team builds capacity over time, they’ll be ready to assume more risk,” he said. “Block Imaging facilitates a transition from full-service coverage to an escalation and parts support role.”
Healthcare organizations that prefer OEM partners may want to consider going with a multi-vendor service organization, a manufacturer that services their own equipment as well as solutions from other vendors. Philips has its own MVS division and training center in Nashville, providing customized training and intellectual property that can be licensed to in-house service teams. The Nashville facility also houses AllParts Medical, one of the world's largest suppliers of used medical equipment parts.
“The biggest key differentiating factor of our multivendor service is that it provides customers with a one-stop-service for all their equipment across their organization without subcontracting — it is all done directly in partnership with Philips, without the need for third-party support,” said Rob Stevens, service operations leader for Philips North America.
Training a new generation
Labor shortages have left hospitals and healthcare systems with fewer in-house technicians on hand to monitor equipment. And with thousands expected to retire in the next few years, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts there will be nearly 3,000 unfilled biomedical equipment technician positions by 2029.
Efforts are underway to replace them with new recruits. Indiana-based TRIMEDX recently launched the SkillBridge program with the U.S. Department of Defense to help military personnel find employment in healthcare technology management (HTM). The company deploys its own technicians to serve as the in-house team for hospitals, allowing them to work directly with caregivers and patients.
“TRIMEDX’s comprehensive program supports the on-site technicians with data, technology, and centralized support via supply chain, and quality and regulatory compliance, among others,” said LeAnne Hester, chief solutions and marketing officer at TRIMEDX. “This is a key differentiator between our approach and that of servicers who may only dispatch technicians to a site when a specific repair is needed.”
