Plymouth Meeting, PA--More than 300 biomedical engineers and technicians in the Asia Pacific region have now completed ECRI's fast-track training and skills acquisition programs. Due to the program's initial success, ECRI (www.ecri.org) will continue to offer the modular Biomedical Engineering Training Program and Laboratory Equipment Training Program in the coming year. The programs are designed to help hospital staff manage and carry out biomedical engineering maintenance services in an efficient, safe, and cost-effective manner.

ECRI, a nonprofit agency, in collaboration with Flinders Biomedical Engineering of Flinders University Medical Centre, South Australia, developed the program of eight self-contained, independent modules; six modules focus on clinical equipment and two modules cover laboratory equipment. Experienced instructors from ECRI and Flinders Biomedical Engineering form the teaching staff.

Since the introduction of the first module in December 2004, subsequent modules have been embraced by hospitals and maintenance organizations. The training program has attracted participants from Hong Kong, Indonesia, and Australia as well as from the Middle East.


Combining theory and practical content, ECRI's program equips biomedical engineers and technicians with the knowledge and skills to productively maintain 90% of medical equipment used for clinical services in hospitals. Participants are also trained to manage outsourced service contracts for radiology and pathology departments.

Theory sessions provide insight on biomedical engineering management aspects and introduce basic human physiology and clinical background related to the equipment involved. Practical hands-on training is a key component of the program. A participant-to-equipment ratio of 4:1 allows all participants to gain adequate hands-on experience of operating equipment, safety testing to international standards, fault finding, repair techniques, and performing planned preventive maintenance.

All modules can be customized to meet requirements of different countries and localities with appropriate language support. To learn more about the Biomedical Engineering Training Program and Laboratory Equipment Training Program, contact ECRI's Asia Pacific Regional Office by e-mail at asiapacific@ecri.org; by telephone at +603 7982 5792; or by fax at +603 7982 5839.