CHAPTER 1 - CLINICAL ENGINEERING: EVOLUTION OF A DISCIPLINE

Abstract

This chapter discusses the evolution of a clinical engineering as a new discipline. Biomedical engineering is an interdisciplinary branch of engineering with a foundation based in both engineering and the life sciences. It ranges from theoretical, nonexperimental undertakings to state-of-the-art applications. It can encompass research, development, implementation, and operation. Biomedical engineers apply electrical, chemical, mechanical, and other engineering principles to understand, modify, or control biological systems. When biomedical engineers work within a hospital or clinic, they are more properly called clinical engineers. However, this theoretical distinction is not always observed in practice as many professionals working in the U.S. hospitals today continue to be called biomedical engineers. In many hospitals, administrators have established clinical engineering departments to manage effectively all the technological resources, especially those relating to medical equipment, that are necessary for providing patient care. The primary objective of these departments is to provide a broad-based engineering program that addresses all aspects of medical instrumentation and systems support.