Staff Activities The staff at Flinders Biomedical Engineering (FBE) have a wide range of experiences and activities in the biomedical field prior to and additional to their work at Flinders.
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ECRI Launches Biomedical Engineering Training Program in S.E. Asia
PLYMOUTH MEETING, PA—The rapid growth of biomedical engineering services in Asian hospitals has created an urgent need for biomedical engineers and technicians to be well trained in the operation and maintenance of hospital medical equipment. Recognizing this need, ECRI (www.ecri.org), a nonprofit health services research agency, has introduced its modular Biomedical Engineering Training Program. Coordinated through ECRI’s Asia-Pacific regional office, the program is intended for newly graduated biomedical engineers and technicians entering this field of work. The program covers medical equipment management principles, as well as theoretical and practical aspects of medical equipment maintenance.
ECRI collaborated with Flinders Biomedical Engineering of Flinders University Medical Centre, South Australia, in designing the six-module program. The primary objective is to provide biomedical engineers and technicians with the knowledge and skills to maintain 90% of the medical equipment used for clinical services in hospitals. Training is also provided for managing outsourced service contracts for radiology and pathology departments. Hospitals that participate in this new training program will be better equipped to manage and perform biomedical engineering maintenance services using efficient and cost-effective methods.
ECRI’s Biomedical Engineering Training Program combines theory and practical hands-on sessions. The theory sessions provide insight on biomedical engineering management aspects and also introduce basic human physiology concepts and clinical background related to the equipment involved. A consistent 4:1 participant-to-equipment ratio allows students to gain hands-on experience to operate and test the medical devices.
Health and Bioscience Industry KPMG #1
Fact
Sheet March 2005
www.southaustralia.biz
Health and Bioscience Industry Ranked by KPMG as #1 most cost competitive location in Australia for biotechnology, clinical trials and product testing R&D.
South Australia is home to more than 100 export-oriented health companies marketing products and services to more than 100 countries worldwide. Adelaide's medical education and training is of international standard, attracting students from around the world. The city has three universities that are home to two medical schools and three schools of nursing. This is complemented with an extensive vocational training system and a wide range of specialised tertiary institutions.
South Australia's universities have a history of project partnerships with industry and other research institutions, which has led to many breakthroughs and the successful commercialisation of products. Research institutions and programs include the CSIRO P-Health Flagship, the Child Health Research Institute and the Hanson Institute.
Significant Expertise South Australia’s long involvement
in health care and medical technology has seen it build a significant
body of expertise skilled in specific sectors of the industry, including:
• optics
• medical equipment and devices
• biomedical R&D and biotechnology
• pharmaceuticals
• facility design and construction
• complementary medicines
• health policy and implementation
• information and communication systems
Meet the "Flinderstones"
FMC News Dec 2004
On Campus (19) Oct 2004
Meet the "Flinderstones" - a unique group of eight staff members from the School of Medicine who recently celebrated their 30th anniversaries at the University. Between them, the group - consisting of Don Higgs, Pat Vilimas, Heather Barr, Bren Gannon, Ray Yates, Robert Rush, Laurie Bahr and Alan Bentley - have 240 years of experience at the University. More than 100 staff attended a special dinosaur-themed event in honour of the 'Stones in the "Jurassic (Steele) Bar" at FMC earlier this month.
Technical Officer in the Biomedical Engineering Department Laurie Bahr set up the now comprehensive workshop facility as one of his first jobs in November 1974. Laurie is now the Workshop Supervisor of the Laboratory Support and Research Development Group in the Department.
 Laurie Bahr at the far right |
Exchanging ideas
FMC News June 2003
They may not have gone home with their much-desired Australian suntans but Flinders Medical Centre’s Birmingham exchange visitors did leave armed with new ideas and experience. Three staff from the University Hospital Birmingham NHS Trust UK spent three weeks at FMC during April. They are the second trio from the UK hospital to visit FMC as part of an annual exchange program established in 2002. Occupational therapist Catherine Sykes, physiotherapist Karen Huddlestone and biomedical engineer Amanda Hill spent time with their FMC counterparts during the three-week exchange.
Among the reasons Amanda was impressed with FMC was the number of female staff in Biomedical Engineering. ‘I expected it to be a male environment not too different to what I am used to,’ Amanda, who is the only female in her department of 18 staff, said. ‘The research side of biomedical engineering is also totally new. We only work on clinical equipment repair at home and don’t have research opportunities. The trio thanks their FMC counterparts and ‘everyone else who spent time with us’. Three FMC staff will travel to Birmingham later this year.
 Birmingham exchange visitors Amanda Hill, Catherine Sykes and Karen Huddlestone. |
Innovation helps Michael breathe easy
FMC News Feb 2003
Biomedical Engineering innovations are helping to improve the quality of patient lives. Innovative thinking by Flinders Medical Centre's Biomedical Engineering Department (BME) is helping an Adelaide man breathe easy.
Using a small fan similar to those in a computer, BME Technical Officer Terry Kirkman developed an airflow generator. The generator provides constant airflow through a respiratory humidifier, which moistens the air before it reaches Michael Okoniewski's trachea.
Michael breathes through a stoma (hole ) in his trachea (neck ) following extensive ear, nose and throat surgery in February 2001 to remove cancer cells from his throat and base of his tongue. Without the airflow generator, which is no bigger than an apple, Michael would need to connect the humidifier to an oxygen, or air bottle, which is bulky and has expensive ongoing costs.
Michael said the airflow generator had solved a problem and he can now concentrate on something other than breathing. ‘Without the humidifier and generator it was not very pleasant,’ he said. 'It's a sensation that you don't have enough air to breathe.’ Michael also experienced dryness, cracking and bleeding of the trachea because the air had not been humidified. Air is normally humidified when it passes through the mouth and throat. ‘This makes a big difference and is 100 percent essential for me during summer’, he said.
Biomedical Engineer Anne-Louise Smith said the idea to use the fan, which normally cools the computer processor, came quickly but months of work followed. ‘We had to work out how it would fit into something small and cleanable and then there was quite a bit of testing and liaising with medical and nursing staff’, she said. ‘We also had to ensure it wouldn’t be a fire or electrical hazard.’ Anne-Louise said the development of the airflow generator is an example of how BME can often help solve a patient problem. ‘We hope this will help Micheal – it will be good to know we’ve made a difference’, she said.
The purchase of the respiratory humidifer was made possible thanks to donations from the Da Costa Samaritan Fund, the Anti-Cancer Foundation, The Wyatt Benevolent Institution and the Volunteer Service for the Flinders Medical Centre.
 Terry Kirkman inspects the airflow generator with patient Michael Okoniewski and Registered Nurse Lyndal Daly. |
New Staff: Robin Woolford
FMC News Aug 2002
Robin Woolford has accepted the position as Head of the Research and Development group of Flinders Biomedical Engineering. He joins the Biomedical Engineering (BME) team at Flinders after 26 years of experience in the BME Departments of the Repatriation General Hospital and the Royal Adelaide Hospital. Robin is also a member of the Society of Medical and Biological Engineering (SA) and has held the positions of President, Secretary, Editor and Councillor.
 Robin Woolford started as Asst Director BME and Group Leader R&D in May 2002 |
Biomedical mentors in Malaysia
On Campus: May 21 - June 2, 2002
Seven biomedical engineering specialists, part of a team of nine from Flinders Medical Centre and other South Australian hospitals, recently left for Malaysia on appointments of up to 12 months as mentors to work with the Malaysian health care company Radicare Sdn Bhd. The biomedical mentors will assist and train Radicare technical staff on medical equipment maintenance and repairs in Malaysian hospitals. The mentors will be working as representatives of Flinders University and Flinders Medical Centre while in Malaysia and will be based at various hospitals in Kuala Lumpur and other cities throughout the Malaysian Peninsula.
Mr John Robson, Director of the Flinders Biomedical Engineering Unit, said the mentors were selected for their technical skills, their skills as trainers, and their experience with overseas appointments. Mr Robson said the Malaysian appointments would enhance the professional standing of the mentors through the experience they will bring back to South Australia at the end of their appointments. The placement of mentors in Malaysia is a key part of a major project in biomedical training undertaken by the Flinders Biomedical Engineering Unit. The Flinders University School of Informatics and Engineering is also contributing intensive training programs for Radicare employees who will travel to Adelaide during the year. The first training course has already commenced at the Flinders campus.
Six of the biomedical mentors from South Australia who are in Malaysia |
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Mentors to Malaysia
FMC News April 2002
Flinders Biomedical Engineering is providing expertise to a Malaysian health care company in a $2.8M deal.
Flinders Biomedical Engineering (BME) specialists have left the shores for up to 12 months to mentor staff at Malaysian health care company, Radicare Sdn Bhd. The departure follows a $2.8M contract signed last year, to provide training and consultancy to the Kuala Lumpur based company until March 2003. The BME mentors will assist and train Radicare staff in the maintenance and repairs of clinical and laboratory equipment. As part of the deal, Flinders will send BME staff to Malaysia and host Radicare staff at Flinders.
Director of Biomedical Engineering, John Robson, said he will travel to Malayisa on a regular basis as Project Director. Other BME employees including Tony Carlisle, Noel Kitto, Shelley MacDonald, Joslyn Fernandez, Karl Heberle and Geoff Bull will also travel to Malaysia for up to 12 months. John said the deal is a win / win situation for Flinders. 'Radicare need our expertise because they have a long term contract with the Ministry of Health in Malaysia to provide BME support to 42 hospitals', he said. 'The project is fully costed and surplus funds are being reinvested to subsidise the operation of the BME department at FMC. The positions vacated by staff in Malaysia also create employment opportunities for graduate students from Flinders University, building a stronger pool of expertise in BME in South Australia.'
Flinders will host three groups of Radicare employees during the period of the contract. The first group has recently ended their stint at Flinders, with the next groups due in May and August. John said this isn't the first time BME expertise has been sought from overseas, with companies in South Korea, China, Indonesia and the Philippines seeking assistance in recent times. 'Our partnership with Radicare has been so positive that they are already talking about an extension of the deal beyond March 2003', he said.
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Malaysian visitors Hasbullah Ali and Norhefny
Bin Ahmad receive |
Brian Bridger retires after 27 years
Brian Bridger is retiring after managing the Construction and Development Group in the Biomedical Engineering Department since 1985. In 1974 he joined Flinders Medical Centre to set up the Electronics Section of Biomedical Engineering to provide services for patient care, research and teaching. He has been responsible for innovative developments at Flinders Medical Centre, including apnoea monitors, which monitor the cessation of breathing for infants. They are still used for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome research. Brian said the Biomedical Engineering Service at Flinders is 'world class'.
 Retiring after 27 years at FMC |
Practical problem solvers
FMC News Feb 2002
When FMC ophthalmology theatre staff complained they were hitting their heads on overhead ophthalmic equipment, it was FMC's biomedical engineering service which came to the rescue.
Head of the service's construction and development group, Brian Bridger, developed and fitted hoops with soft foam and netting which can be detached before a procedure. Brian said finding a solution to the problem which did not interfere with the expensive precision instruments proved one of the most difficult he had been called upon to solve. 'I could only get access on a Friday, and it took about six weeks to do, and suddenly I finished and the staff were raving about how marvellous it was,' he said.
Brian said the design and manufacturing group were often called upon to help with such matters because it boasted a workshop where welding, spray painting, electronic design and fabrication could be performed. Brian's principal occupation is designing equipment for research. In this role he is often called upon to help the hospital staff with occupational health and safety problems. Recent projects include fume extraction from laboratories and establishing a ceiling mounted track system to hold equipment for ultrasound operators using ultrasound machines for extended periods.
Brian, who has been with Flinders since it began, retires in February 2002 but hopes to have a continuing involvement with Biomedical Engineering.
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Brian Bridger shows Flinders Eye Centre
Occupational Health and Safety Representative Ann Koza how his 'invention' protects the heads of the staff in ophthalmology. |
New deal takes our biomedical engineering to Malaysia
Flinders Journal: September 10 - September 23, 2001
Malaysian hospitals will soon be benefiting from South Australian expertise in biomedical engineering. Flinders Biomedical Engineering (FBE), a joint venture between Flinders Medical Centre and Flinders University, recently signed a $2.8 million contract to provide training and consultancy to Kuala Lumpur-based Radicare Sdn Bhd. Radicare is a major supplier of services to Malaysia's Ministry of Health, including technical support for hospital equipment.
Under the 15-month contract, FBE staff will provide training courses and technical assistance for Radicare personnel in Adelaide and Malaysia and help the company to implement a comprehensive program in biomedical maintenance technology. The relationship was initiated by ECRI, an international health services research agency specialising in health care technology. "We have carried out some preliminary work for Radicare and they are very excited by what we can offer," said FBE's Director, Mr John Robson. "This next stage involves a more significant project and a much greater degree of collaboration."
Radicare's Director of International Business, Mr Mansor Abdullah, flew to Adelaide for the signing. Other participants included the State Minister for Industry and Trade, Mr Rob Lucas, and ECRI's Regional Manager for South East Asia, Mr Jin Lor. The business aspects of the project were negotiated on behalf of Flinders Biomedical Engineering by Flinders Consulting Pty Ltd. The Managing Director of Flinders Consulting, Dr Wayne Harvey, described the project as significant because it provided an opportunity to offer a major new client an integrated product that draws upon both the university and the Flinders Medical Centre, offering benefits for each. Dr Harvey said this was one of a number of international projects negotiated this year by the company.
Mr Lucas, the State Minister for Industry and Trade, described the new contract as a good example of South Australian companies increasing exports of services to Asia. "This is an important growth opportunity for South Australia as there is no doubt we have expertise available that is attractive to many other countries," he said. "Exports from South Australian companies increased by 33 per cent last year, which was higher than the national growth figures of 22 per cent. Exports of services will be increasingly important in the future."
Mr Robson said he hoped the deal would lead to other contracts in Asia, where FBE was developing a strong reputation. It had provided training and consultancy in Indonesia, South Korea, China, The Philippines and Papua New Guinea. "As well as these core services, we have developed devices for use in medical research, patient diagnosis and patient treatment for over 25 years and aim to create a centre of excellence in medical device development," he said. "We are keen to assist in the establishment of a medical devices manufacturing industry here in South Australia by making this distinctive environment and the pool of expertise available to industry."
Malaysian company buys our expertise
Media release & FMC News: 5 September, 2001
Malaysian hospitals will soon be benefiting from South Australian expertise in biomedical engineering. Flinders Biomedical Engineering (FBE), a joint venture between Flinders Medical Centre and Flinders University, today signed a $2.8 million contract to provide training and consultancy to Kuala Lumpur-based Radicare Sdn Bhd.
Radicare is a major supplier of services to Malaysia's Ministry of Health, including technical support for hospital equipment. Under the 15-month contract, FBE staff will provide training courses and technical assistance for Radicare personnel in Adelaide and Malaysia and help the company to implement a comprehensive program in biomedical maintenance technology. The relationship was initiated by ECRI, an international health services research agency specialising in health care technology.
"We have carried out some preliminary work for Radicare and they are very excited by what we can offer," said FBE's Director, Mr John Robson. "This next stage involves a more significant project and a much greater degree of collaboration." Radicare's Director of International Business, Mr Mansor Abdullah, flew to Adelaide for today's signing. Other participants included the State Minister for Industry and Trade, Mr Rob Lucas, and ECRI's Regional Manager for South East Asia, Mr Jin Lor.
Mr Lucas described the new contract as a good example of South Australian companies increasing exports of services to Asia. "This is an important growth opportunity for South Australia as there is no doubt we have expertise available that is attractive to many other countries," he said. "Exports from South Australian companies increased by 33 per cent last year, which was higher than the national growth figures of 22 per cent. Exports of services will be increasingly important in the future."
Mr Robson said he hoped the deal would lead to other contracts in Asia, where FBE was developing a strong reputation. It had provided training and consultancy in Indonesia, South Korea, China, The Philippines and Papua New Guinea. "As well as these core services, we have developed devices for use in medical research, patient diagnosis and patient treatment for over 25 years and aim to create a centre of excellence in medical device development," he said. "We are keen to assist in the establishment of a medical devices manufacturing industry here in South Australia by making this distinctive environment and the pool of expertise available to industry."
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Pictured at the signing of the contract,
left to right, are Mr Jin Lor, The Hon Rob Lucas, Mr Mansor Abdullah and Mr John Robson |