The survey, which was e-mailed to AAMI, ACCE, and HIMSS members in April, generated responses from biomedical equipment technicians, clinical engineers, chief information officers, programmers, systems analysts, consultants, professors, physicians, and nurses.

More than 65% of the respondents work in hospitals, while 12% are employed at device manufacturers, 8% at academic institutions, 6% at consulting firms, and 9% at other employers.


The CE-IT Steering Committee, which comprises two representatives from each of the three organizations and professional staff, will now analyze the survey results and begin launching projects to address these needs.

"These results are very useful in helping us pinpoint the specific needs of the community, and what projects to undertake to benefit members of all three organizations," says Bob Stiefel, CCE, director of clinical engineering at the University of Maryland Medical Center and one of AAMI's representatives on the CE-IT Steering Committee.

"From these survey results and the additional feedback I have been receiving from our members, it is clear the CE-IT initiatives contemplated by our coalition are drawing an unprecedented level of interest in our common community," adds Stephen L. Grimes, ACCE president. "ACCE believes the collaborative efforts of our coalition will greatly benefit the members of each of our organizations and the healthcare process overall and we are therefore committed to this community's success."

Others who are serving on the CE-IT Steering Committee include Ray Laxton representing AAMI, Ray Zambuto representing ACCE, and Leanne Cordisco and Izabella Gieras representing HIMSS.

As an alliance, the three organizations in the CE-IT Community represent thousands of biomedical equipment technicians, clinical engineers, IT professionals, clinicians, and other medical technology professionals around the world.

"This new community will leverage the diversity and resources of all three organizations, creating opportunities to work together on common issues identified in the survey including integration of systems/devices, guidance on new technologies and the use and implementation of wireless systems," says Joyce Sensmeier MS, RN-BC, CPHIMS, FHIMSS, Vice President, Informatics, HIMSS.

By pooling resources through this collaboration, the three groups are seeking to foster a united voice for IT and clinical engineering concerns; and develop important resources, best practices, and networking opportunities to advance the interests of CE-IT issues in healthcare.