Transforming Biomedical Research for a Patient Centric Future

F. Mike Busdicker is a seasoned professional with unwavering experience in financial management and human resources. With expertise in full P&L responsibilities, he excels in budget preparation, variance reporting, and capital planning. His skills extend to inventory management, contract negotiations, and cost reductions. In HR, he excels in employee appraisals, job descriptions, and union negotiations. Busdicker fosters team building, implements performance improvement plans, and encourages employee development. He is currently the system director of clinical engineering at Intermountain Healthcare. In an exclusive interview with MedTech Outlook, Busdicker shared his invaluable insights on the challenges, trends, and technological developments in the biomedical space.

What are the most prominent challenges you currently observe in biomedical research?

A significant challenge confronting us currently is the state of our workforce. We must address the issue of ensuring an adequate influx of individuals into the pipeline to replace a workforce approaching retirement. This undertaking will guarantee a smooth transition and uphold the continual advancement of the healthcare industry in the forthcoming years. Another significant concern lies in cybersecurity, particularly regarding protecting data and information associated with medical devices. With the continuous advancement of technology, the interconnection and networking of devices are on the rise. To effectively navigate this landscape, we must remain at the forefront of security practices. This necessitates collaboration with manufacturers, service providers, and internal programs to implement robust security measures.

Additionally, a noteworthy trend in healthcare is that individuals are receiving medical treatment within the comfort of their homes, utilizing medical equipment and devices. It is crucial to equip our staff and caregivers with the necessary knowledge and skills to accommodate this transition. They should be adequately trained to provide service, perform device calibrations, and conduct preventative maintenance inspections within a patient’s home environment.

When discussing with individuals in this particular domain, do you encounter any specific misconceptions or confusions related to biomedical?

There is a growing emphasis on individuals outside manufacturers’ ability to service equipment. However, amidst this discussion, we must not forget the most important stakeholders are our patients and consumers. We should focus on providing them safe equipment, quality service, and affordable costs. Driving up expenses only burdens the consumers and hinders healthcare reform efforts to reduce costs. By prioritizing patient well-being and delivering cost-effective solutions, we can improve healthcare while keeping patients’ needs at the forefront.

Could you perhaps elaborate on an interesting project or initiative that you are currently overseeing?

We are currently involved in an ongoing endeavor that entails the integration of two renowned healthcare systems. This undertaking involves integrating and harmonizing the operations of these systems, including the crucial task of facilitating seamless data sharing between them. However, we face a significant challenge in this process due to the disparate systems each organization employs for data storage, such as electronic medical record systems. Bridging the gap and establishing effective communication between these systems is a priority.

We focus on capturing the best practices from both organizations and implementing them across the merged enterprise. By standardizing the processes and streamlining data management, we aim to optimize the delivery of patient care. Our ultimate objective is to provide the highest quality of care to the communities we serve, leveraging both healthcare systems’ collective strengths and expertise.