AXREM Launch Collaboration Document with Special Event
11 September 2023
Following the publication of the Pre-owned Equipment Checklist for Ultrasound
Equipment that was published on Friday 8th September, a launch event took place at the British Medical Ultrasound’s offices the same day.
AXREM have worked in collaboration with the British Medical Ultrasound Society (BMUS), the Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine (IPEM), and the Society of Radiographers (SoR) to produce this best practice ultrasound checklist.
AXREM brought together members, the working group who produced the checklist and other key stakeholders and contributing organisations to officially launch the document and celebrate the work that the Ultrasound special focus group does, along with the wider work of the association.
Formal speeches were made with Jeevan Gunaratnam, AXREM Chair and Philips speaking first about the association and the importance of relationships like the one that has been built with BMUS. Roy Tappin, AXREM Ultrasound Convenor and GE Healthcare spoke about the importance of good industry standards and quality equipment. Professor Adrian Lim, President of BMUS spoke about the project and the input AXREM has had with the BMUS Annual Congress and Fiammetta Fedele, Consultant Medical Physicist, representing IPEM spoke about the document and the importance of it. The day was rounded off with a presentation of flowers to Victoria O’Connor, GE Healthcare for her help with the artwork of the document and some formal photographs then took place.
The document consists of three checklists. The first checklist refers to ultrasound probes. The probes have been separated from the checklist from the rest of the imaging system because they are the most common point of failure and are replaceable without any changes required to the ultrasound system. The second and third checklists refer to the rest of the ultrasound system and post-sales support. The vendor of the refurbished or pre-owned ultrasound equipment should complete the checklists to provide confidence to purchasers that reasonable governance procedures have been followed.
This checklist has been a project where industry and other contributing sector organisations want to set best practice to ensure the very best quality equipment is provided, ensuring clinicians can get the best images, and patient get the best diagnosis and treatment.
Roy Tappin, Ultrasound SFG Convenor & GE Healthcare said “What a lovely event we had at the BMUS office in Milton Keynes on Friday. It was a chance to celebrate the launch of the used equipment check list document that we have worked hard on for many months. It was produced in collaboration with the AXREM Ultrasound special focus group, BMUS, SoR and IPEM and it was great to see that most were represented at the event. People taking time out of their very busy schedules emphasises the commitment that all parties have to collaborating for the good of our exciting ultrasound modality, and what can be achieved when we pull together and drive change. Long may this continue”.
Sally Edgington, Chief Executive Office of AXREM said “I am pleased we were able to host this event and I must thank BMUS for all their help and support to organise the event. Industry have a key role to play ensuring that patients get the very best care, so this checklist is an important step in the right direction, I hope this checklist can be used widely by procurement professionals going forwards”.
Ends
Note:
AXREM’s member companies supply most of the diagnostic medical imaging and radiotherapy equipment installed in UK hospitals. They work with Consultant Radiologists, Radiographers and Practitioners, Oncologists, and a wide range of healthcare professionals in delivering healthcare to patients using our technologies.
Our members have unique knowledge, experience and insight into the workflow and challenges faced by healthcare professionals on a day-to-day basis, which enables us to develop and offer innovative solutions to improve the speed and quality of diagnostic procedures and treatments with our ultimate aim of improving patient care.
Although our members operate in a highly competitive commercial environment and in strict conformity with UK laws and regulations, certain issues such as this require focus and resolution on an industry-wide basis.
For further information about this press release please contact AXREM Chief Executive Officer – Sally Edgington
AXREM, Rotherwick House, 3 Thomas More Street, London, E1W 1YZ
E sally.edgington@axrem.org.uk
T 07717 058649
www.axrem.org.uk