Biomedical Department Term Paper

A typical biomedical department will have equipment that will be used in the diagnosis of the treatment of clients. The specific department where they will be deployed and the specialty of the hospital will determine the nature of equipment in use (Wang & Tabshouri, 2018). Medical apparatus can find application in diagnosis, control, treatment, and the prevention of pathogenic occurrences. Good examples of medical devices include infusion pumps, dialysis machines, prosthetic extensions, corrective corneas and lenses, and heart pacemakers. Biomedical engineering has grown to levels where medical equipment has been used for medical modeling, a move that results in the creation of physical objects that can be used by patients to resolve their medical challenges (Wahed, Kady, & Saleh, 2019).

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This development points to the importance of continued research in this field, with the application of emerging technologies and innovative therapeutic interventions a key outcome of biomedical engineering. It is worth mentioning that these interventions can also be applied to patient monitoring initiatives whenever complex diseases arise. One of the major success stories of medical modeling is Stereolithography, where modeling has been used in the creation of physical objects for use by patients whenever they feel unwell(Geller, 2019).

The intensive care unit is a section of the hospital that provides specialist care to patients in critical condition. Some of the core functions include patient monitoring, emergency resuscitation, life support, and pain management(Geller, 2019). This scope explains why intensive care departments should have a wide variety of equipment. An intensive care unit may also be established to address a specific set of ailments among the expected patients. For example, a neuro-medical unit will treat patients who have challenges with their nervous system and those who have undergone complex neurosurgical interventions that require close monitoring. A trauma unit will be equipped to address wounds and various injuries, while a neonatal unit will be provided to handle children with multiple needs and complications. It is essential for a functional intensive care unit to have equipment for monitoring the condition of patients. Physiologic monitors for patients in need of acute care forms an integral part of intensive care departments(Geller, 2018). These may be used to control the respiration rate, cardiac output monitors and blood pressure, among many more. Pulse oximeters are also vital because they monitor the rate of oxygen saturation in the blood. Apnea and Intracranial monitors are also essential components of the intensive care unit. They monitor breathing and the level of fluid in the brain respectively. It is also important to have life support and resuscitative machines in the intensive care unit(Geller, 2018). These include respirators, infusion pumps, and crash carts, among many more. Some of the diagnostic equipment in intensive care units includes x-ray units, while other general equipment like catheters, posey vests, and monitoring electrodes may also be used in the intensive care unit.

There are categories for the classification of biomedical equipment in the United States. Class one devices pose little or no danger to the users(Keil, 2019). They are also reasonably easy to use and are just designed. Some of the most common examples are bedpans and tongue depressors. Class II equipment is complicated and exceeds the previously mentioned class in sophistication (Subhan, 2019). These gadgets have specific controls in addition to the general provisions available in class one devices. It is essential to include these designated controls to help with market surveillance after they have been sold. These additional controls also ensure satisfactory performance standards are maintained at all times when the gadget is utilized for medical interventions. Most implants are for external use, for instance, infusion pumps, x-ray machines, wheelchairs, and surgical blades. Class three equipment includes all the complicated devices that require approval and notification before they are sold and commissioned for use in hospitals(Geller, 2019). This fact explains why scientific tests are conducted to determine the effectiveness and safety of an implement before it is authorized in medical facilities. Some of the everyday gadgets in this category include cerebellar stimulators, pulse generators, heart valves, and many other body implants.

Medical imaging forms a significant category of devices in the biomedical department. These are implements that enable the medical experts to view parts of the body that are otherwise invisible. Some of the techniques used by the methods used in medical imaging include magnetism, ultra-violet technology, ultrasound, and radiology. Imagery is essential because of the crucial role it plays in diagnostic procedures(Street, 2016). Implants also constitute a significant category of biomedical equipment. These implements are created to replace damaged organs and tissues in the body and can be applied either internally or externally. The formulation and use of prosthetic devices to correct various forms of physical impairment serve as a significant success story in the application of biomedical engineering in medical interventions(Levin-Epstein, 2019). The purpose of bionics in medicine has enabled engineers to build artificial body parts and replace damaged segments of the body.

An overview of cost-cutting measures in hospitals
There is an urgent need for hospitals to reduce their operational costs to improve their bottom lines. This fact means that hospitals should be actively engaged in seeking avenues that can be exploited to ensure that efficiency is introduced into their spending patterns at all times, a fact that will boost their cash reserves in the end(Keil, 2019). A critical area that can be exploited to achieve this goal is the introduction of targeted measures that seek to regulate runaway spending in the acquisition of medical equipment. Technology is an integral part of healthcare provision in the modern day society. Consequently, companies should have sufficient members of staff in the biomedical department to ensure that all their equipment functions well and is maintained in prime operating conditions for the good of the company.

A Plan to Minimize Costs
The best way to minimize operational costs in a hospital is to have a fully functional biomedical department. This area should be segmented into various departments to enhance service delivery to the patients and other beneficiaries within the hospital premises(Keil, 2018). The reception area is an essential segment of this plan. This area should be comfortable because it serves the role of receiving and entertaining visitors who come to the department. The design should be conducive for administrative work, supporting functions like records management and many more(Levin-Epstein, 2019). This state means that most of the equipment can be concealed from the public glare. The department should also have a designated workshop area. This zone may be segmented to include dedicated regions to handle electrical and mechanical components, as well as the actual medical equipment that is used when managing patients. It is vital to design separate spaces where the technicians will handle the biomedical equipment (Block III, Waheed & Lee, 2019). This need exists to ensure the material is protected against dust and other pollutants.

Roles and Responsibilities within the Biomed Department
Biomedical engineering encompasses all efforts to apply design concepts and other engineering principles in the fields of biology, healthcare, and medical application. This scope includes therapeutic and diagnostic applications of medicine. It is a relevant field because it seeks to narrow the existing divide between medicine and engineering(Block III, Waheed & Lee, 2019). Here, specific skills like problem-solving abilities and other design specifications that are informed by engineering principles are applied to create solutions within the medical field to address a wide variety of challenges facing their clients. Some of the areas that have registered success with the application of biometric engineering include therapy, monitoring, and diagnosis. Biomedical engineers are specialists who ensure that medical equipment remains adequately configured and well maintained to guarantee its functionality. This scope means that biomedical engineers are responsible for providing all industry and operational standards are maintained at all times during the application and utilization of the machines(Brownet al., 2017). On many occasions, they are required to make recommendations after conducting routine maintenance tests. It is crucial to involve biomedical engineers in the procurement, as well as equipment disposal procedures to realize the best possible performances from their equipment.

The Future for Medical Equipment Service
Technological advancement in the present day has changed the way patients and doctors interact with one another (Brownet al., 2017). Technology has enabled the access to current and historical records in real-time. This development makes it easy for the doctors to identify underlying medical issues with the patients and formulate effective treatment plans. It has also signaled a transfer from erstwhile modes of operation to smart interventions. Future activities in the medical field are greatly influenced by technological innovations and the promise of transformation in the manner of operations undertaken within these medical facilities(Berkey, Koepke & Gruwell, 2019). It is worth mentioning that the area of medical devices will always be driven by continuous technological innovation. This scenario happens because of the dynamic nature of healthcare needs by the patients who these implements are designed to serve.

Market dynamics will also play a significant role in the future of medical equipment. These gadgets are designed to detect, diagnose and treat ailments. This situation implies that their existence and continued relevance in the market will be determined by the volatile market dynamics. It is worth mentioning that markets are always changing, a fact that explains the continuous growth of existing markets and the emergence of new ones. It is further informed by the rise of alternative business models and changing modes of delivering healthcare services to the patients. The incorporation of information technology into healthcare practices will also play a role in the future of medical devices, as well as the changing nature of standards applied in regulating and enforcing compliance within these enterprises. In spite of all these factors, the primary motivator of change in the market for medical devices is innovation. This factor has influenced many stakeholders in this market to invest substantial funds in research and developmentIt is crucial for the companies to remain responsive to patient needs by improving the quality of their new creations and keeping their operational costs within manageable levels.

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