They must know
what, why, how, where, and when devices are used in order to manage effectively. What
was only a short time ago a biomedical engineering specialty concerned only with electronic
monitors and defibrillators has returned to the original concept espoused by those
early pioneers who saw clinical engineering as a profession that applied engineering
skills to analyze and solve problems in the clinical environment, whether that entails purchasing
the most cost-effective examination gloves or designing a new ambulatory care
pavilion. Whether complex or simple, all medical devices fall within the purview of the
clinical engineer, and they must be managed to ensure that the technology is performing
satisfactorily at all times and without compromising patient or personnel safety.