ECRI Hosts Free Hazard And Recall Management Educational Seminar

Main Category: Public Health
Also Included In: Medical Devices / Diagnostics;  MRSA / Drug Resistance
Article Date: 07 Feb 2006 - 12:00 PDT

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ECRI, an independent, nonprofit health services research agency, is offering a free educational seminar, "TAKE CONTROL: HAZARD AND RECALL MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES," which will be held at ECRI's headquarters on Wednesday, March 1, 2006.

The seminar, which is suited for hospital-based biomedical and clinical engineers, materials managers, risk managers, and patient safety officers, is aimed at providing insight into regulatory and accreditation requirements related to medical device hazards and recalls. It will also cover some of the common pitfalls and difficulties hospitals encounter when attempting to meet these requirements.

"Managing hundreds of device recalls can be a daunting task for hospitals," says James P. Keller, vice president, health technology evaluation and safety. Keller, one of the seminar presenters, says discussions will include a review of best practices for hazard and recall management and will cover issues such as using standardized nomenclature for device inventories, improving information dissemination, clarifying roles, establishing documentation processes, and more. In addition to Keller, presenters will include-Kenneth B. Ross, senior associate, Health Systems Group, and Eric Sacks, Internet services manager, Health Devices Group.

Seminar attendees will also learn about ECRI's Alerts Tracker, the first online tool for automating the hazard and recall management process from beginning to end. The system quickly relays hazard and recall alerts throughout the hospital via weekly e-mails containing information customized to each staff member's clinical/professional area and individual preferences. ECRI's Alerts Tracker, is available only to members of ECRI's Health Devices System , Health Devices Gold, and SELECTplus™ healthcare technology advisory services.

"This is a practical and effective seminar that explains how to incorporate and implement new tools that positively impact our technology risk management program," said Yadin David, director of biomedical engineering, Texas Children's Hospital, and past seminar attendee.

The seminar will be held on Wednesday, March 1, at:
ECRI
5200 Butler Pike
Plymouth Meeting
PA 19462, USA.

Session I of the event is scheduled from 8:00 to 11:30 a.m. for personnel from any hospital, and session II, an additional in-depth training for active users of ECRI's Alerts Tracker, will follow from 11:45 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. There is no fee to attend the seminar; however, reservations must be made in advance due to limited seating. Users of ECRI's Alerts Tracker are welcome to attend either session I, II, or both sessions.

Reservations must be received by Monday, February 27, 2006. To make reservations, contact ECRI by telephone at (610) 825-6000, ext. 5700, or by e-mail at events@ecri.org. Please provide your name, title, organization, telephone number, and e-mail address as well as event code PAT0206.

For more information about the "Take Control: Hazard and Recall Management Strategies" seminars, Alerts Tracker, or the Health Devices System, contact ECRI by mail at 5200 Butler Pike, Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462-1298, USA; by telephone at (610) 825-6000, ext. 5891; by fax at (610) 834-1275; or visit ECRI's Web site http://www.ecri.org.

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