"If the bill passes as is, there will be a lot of providers that will not be able to prove they are qualified," Axess Ultrasound's Director of Sales and Marketing Robert Broschart told DOTmed in an interview at the recent AAMI meeting. Broschart expressed how difficult it is for any independent company to show that their technicians have been factory trained by the OEMs on specific models. "We have factory-trained people in certain products, but, as the newer stuff comes out, it either forces an independent to spend more in an already hurting economy or not service the product," Brochart commented.

Hospitals in Texas also resisted Senator Wentworth's original bill. Texas hospitals were concerned and stood in opposition to the bill because some of their biomedical technicians did not hold a degree, even though they were adequately trained and experienced. Having to send technicians back for further education and certification would have required additional costs at a time when every penny counts.


Texas Hospital Association Paved Way for Amending Measure

Members of the Texas Hospital Association (THA) immediately responded to the original bill by advocating for loosened regulations. THA began talks with Senator Wentworth's office.

"The Texas Hospital Association is always concerned and has an interest in promoting patient safety. That is what guides us as a trade association," THA's Associate General Counsel Matt Wall told DOTmed News today. "Hospitals already have to follow strict guidelines in terms of their personnel as required by the Joint Commission and Medicare. There was no need for another state bill which addressed hospitals as well."

Wall explained that Senator Wentworth was responsive to THA requests and offered to amend the measure to exclude hospital-affiliated equipment service.

Bill Passes Senate but House Adjourns Before Voting

The bill recently passed the Senate as amended, excluding qualified technicians from the absolute necessity of holding certification from a biomedical degree program, and also allowing experience and proficient performance in lieu of completing a certificate program. Another amendment allowance was that a technician could service equipment while still pursuing an associate's degree if properly supervised by a qualified technician.

As hearings came to a close, the bill passed Senate Committee and was submitted to the House, but the representatives did not take action. With the bill dead, the concerns of Texas hospitals and medical equipment service technicians are at ease at least for now.

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