We triage patients with vital sign monitors. Implant pacemakers. Connect breathing tubes to ventilators, and set up infusion pumps. Without this equipment, Temple Health wouldn’t function—and we wouldn’t be able to treat our patients.
But the employees who ensure this equipment works—and are responsible, by extension, for making the entire Health System run—often fly under the radar. They’re part of our Clinical Engineering department, which has just 10 Biomedical Engineering Technicians—plus their Director, Michael Primavera, and his Administrative Assistant, Vanessa Russell—across all of our campuses.
“Clinical Engineering is responsible for all of the patient care equipment at Temple Health,” explains Steve Majeed, Senior Biomedical Equipment Technician at TUH-Main Campus. “We make sure it’s repaired in a timely manner, and that it’s safe for employee and patient use.”
It’s a responsibility that has changed dramatically over the last several decades. “I’ve been at Temple for 36 years, and when I first started, we probably had 100 or 200 pieces of equipment,” Primavera recalls. “Now, we have over 30,000—and our equipment is much more sophisticated and complex.”
The fact that a 10-person team can effectively manage such a high volume of equipment is “a true testament to our staff,” Primavera says. “Our technicians go to trainings, and they get certified to work on different types of equipment. They’re so good at what they do, and they’re constantly expanding their knowledge base.”
A Readily Accessible Resource
The Clinical Engineering team must ensure that all of the patient care equipment across the Health System is serviced on a regular basis, while also responding to the calls that come in whenever a piece of equipment malfunctions or breaks.
“Every month, each team member receives their list of 100+ pieces of equipment that they’re responsible for servicing, which is Preventative Maintenance,” explains Ian Murtha, Biomedical Equipment Technician at TUH-Main Campus.
“Between Preventative Maintenance and everyday calls, we also have urgent calls that we respond to,” says Dave Capone, Senior Biomedical Equipment Technician at TUH-Jeanes Campus. “Those can happen during work hours or after hours—for example, when equipment malfunctions.”
“If you notice a piece of equipment that’s broken or isn’t working correctly, you should call us,” Murtha says. “I would much rather you contact us when you first see a problem, rather than a few weeks later, when the equipment is really damaged and much harder to fix.”
“If you see us on the floor and you have questions about a piece of equipment, come ask us,” adds Marvin Farmer, Senior Biomedical Equipment Technician, who works out of TUH-Main Campus, TUH-Episcopal Campus, and Northeastern Campus. “If you don’t know how to use it, or you’re having an issue, we would be happy to step in. That’s what we’re here for.”
“My favorite part of what I do is helping people,” agrees Jeffrey Lurie, Senior Biomedical Equipment Technician at Fox Chase Cancer Center. “My job is to make everyone else’s job easier.”
A Culture of Teamwork and Quality Service
This approach is an extension of the supportive culture within Clinical Engineering. “We all look out for each other,” says Primavera. “People always step up—I don’t even have to ask them. They just say, ‘I want to give this person a hand.’”
Dave Feola, Senior Biomedical Engineer at TUH-Main Campus, and Farmer agree. “There’s so much camaraderie here,” Feola says.
“We have that family atmosphere,” Farmer explains. “It’s really different than everywhere else I’ve worked. We’re team-oriented and goal-driven, because what we do is all about the patient.”
Russell—who is responsible for much of the positive feeling in the department—echoes this sentiment. “Clinical Engineering exemplifies teamwork and quality service,” she says. “Our engineers are trendsetters, and we look forward to exceeding the mark of service perfection.”
It’s that attitude that makes it possible for Clinical Engineering to keep our Health System running—and makes them the reason we can plug in the monitors, secure the blood pressure cuffs, and charge the defibrillators that keep our patients safe each day.
