Report from AAMI 2005
Thanks to Patrick Lynch, from Northside Hospital, Atlanda, for this report from the show:
It was the best AAMI I've been to in a while. Being an older biomed, all of the equipment vendors were getting stale – same ole, same ole. But this year there was lots of new tension. IT, indoor positioning, who are we gonna work for next year, consultants galore, and a huge presence by all the big employers – GE, Philips, Siemens, Aramark. GE was even giving away a t-shirt that said “Biomeds Rule.” One company even had a purple Corvette to push their purple blood pressure cuffs. The giveaways seemed better this year. My personal favorite was a calculator (from MedEquip) which, when the button was pressed, opened up in a lengthy dual-retracting process I can only liken to a Transformer. The most puzzling giveaway was from Aramark – it was a nice metal tin, with a level inside. Exactly what I need a level for, I;m a little lost, but it was a nice gesture. Zoll was doing CPR on a stuffed bear.
Overall, I think there is a lot of uncertainty inthe field,and lots og BMETs wilbe going to computer and networking classes in the next year, if only as a defensive measure.
Great update Patrick, thanks. Anyone else out there with a report from the field? How about you vendors?
