Introduction to Clinical Engineering

Introduction to Clinical Engineering focuses on the application of engineering practice within the healthcare delivery system, often defined as clinical engineering. Readers will explore the fundamental concepts integral to the support of healthcare technology to advance medical care. The primary mission of clinical engineers is the utilization of medical devices, software, and systems to deliver safe and effective patient care throughout technology’s lifecycle. This unique and interdisciplinary workforce is part of the healthcare team and serves as the intersection between engineering and medicine.

This book is aimed at practitioners, managers, students, and educators to serve as a resource that offers a broad perspective of the applications of engineering principles, regulatory compliance, lifecycle planning, systems thinking, risk analysis, and resource management in healthcare. This book is an invaluable tool for healthcare technology management (HTM) professionals and can serve as a guide for students to explore the profession in depth.

• Offers readers an in-depth look into the support and implementation of existing medical technology used for patient care in a clinical setting
• Provides insights into the clinical engineering profession, focusing on engineering principles as applied to the US healthcare system
• Explores healthcare technology, hospital and systems safety, information technology and interoperability with medical devices, clinical facilities management, as well as human resource management

Samantha Jacques, PhD, FACHE, AAMIF, FACCE, McLaren Health, Grand Blanc, MI. Dr. Jacques is the Vice President of Clinical Engineering. She manages services throughout the McLaren system including 13 hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, imaging centers, and Michigan’s largest network of cancer centers.
She also leads the Health Sector Coordinating Council - Cybersecurity Working Group. Prior to McLaren, she was the Director of Clinical Engineering at Penn State Health and Texas Children’s Hospital.

Barbara Christe, PhD is Dean of the School of Engineering Technology at Farmingdale State College, a State University of New York (SUNY) campus. She is responsible for one graduate program and six academic departments. Dr Christe is a Commissioner in the Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission (ETAC) of ABET. Prior to SUNY, she was Program Director of Healthcare Engineering Technology Management and Associate Professor at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis.