Speaker(s): Timothy Zakutney, MHSc, PEng, CCE
Director, Biomedical Engineering , The University of
Ottawa Heart Institute.   Adjunct Professor, Department of Systems & Computer
Engineering, Carleton University

Date/Time: November 17, 2011, 18.00-19.30
Location: ME4342, Carleton University
Parking: Parking fees apply.
Registration: Free to attend
Organizer: Yuu Ono
Organizer e-mail: Yuu.Ono@ieee.org
Organized by: Ottawa Section Chapter Engineering in Medicine and
Biology Society
Url: http://www.ieeeottawa.ca/embs

Abstract

Clinical Engineering, a subspecialty of Biomedical Engineering, plays
a key role in the application and management of clinical technology in
the health care environment.  With a strong foundation rooted in
patient safety; from the initial days of electrical safety in the
1960s to the patient safety aspects of technology management, Clinical
Engineering has evolved into the areas of clinical technology
planning, information technology, hazard and device alert monitoring,
and human factors engineering.  The growing Ventricular Assist Device
(VAD) program at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute (UOHI) is a
comprehensive example of the vast and important role that Clinical
Engineering contributes to the healthcare environment.  Mechanical
circulatory support is an accepted and proven and effective treatment
for congestive heart failure (CHF).  Although heart transplantation is
the preferred course of treatment, the severe limitation of donor
heart availability has contributed to the exploration of alternative
methods including VADs.  The VAD program is a multidisciplinary
collaboration between cardiac surgery, cardiology, anesthesiology,
perfusion, pathology, critical care nursing, pathology, social work,
and clinical engineering.  This presentation will review the
responsibilities of Clinical Engineering in healthcare, a brief
history of Ventricular Assist Devices as treatment for CHF, and a
discussion of the various roles and contributions that Clinical
Engineering plays in the support of clinical staff, administration,
and successful patient outcomes in the VAD program.

Biography

Mr. Zakutney is a Professional Engineer with a specialty in Systems
Design from the University of Waterloo and a Masters in Heath Science
in Clinical Engineering from the University of Toronto.  He is an
internationally Certified Clinical Engineer (CCE) and has advised
Health Canada and the US Food and Drug Administration on medical
device, health technology issues, and patient safety.   In 2008, he
was awarded the Canadian Medical and Biological Engineering Society’s
(CMBES) Outstanding Canadian Biomedical Engineer of the Year Award and
in 2009, he traveled to Bangladesh at the request of the Canadian
Government (Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA)) to
provide assistance and guidance for the rational use and management of
medical technology in Bangladesh.

Mr. Zakutney holds the position of Director of Biomedical Engineering
at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute.  He has served as
Director and Manager of Biomedical Engineering teams at two major
Canadian academic hospitals and, has developed and implemented
software systems for several University and Health Care research
programs.  He currently teaches Clinical Engineering and holds the
position of Adjunct Research Professor in the Department of Systems
and Computer Engineering at Carleton University.  He is a board member
of the Canadian Board of Examiners for Certification in Clinical
Engineering (CCE) and is Chairman, Awards Committee for the Canadian
Medical and Biological Engineering (CMBES).