Do You Need Help Fixing Medical Devices or Hospital Equipment?

Do You Need Help Fixing Medical Devices or Hospital Equipment? 

"People Helping People" Can Now Help Repair Medical Devices Remotely.

Did you know that much of the donated medical equipment to developing countries is unusable after a time? According to Scientific American, "Medical Equipment Donated to Developing Nations Usually Ends Up on the Junk Heap". 

The devices might very well arrive in good working condition, but after a while, the device breaks and no one is available to fix it. Many health clinics are lucky to have a healthcare professional, much less a biomedical equipment technician. So what happens? The devices form a scrapheap of dead hospital equipment. This is very frustrating to health care workers trying their best to heal the sick. 

This article is meant to inform you of the resources available right now to help you or others repair defective medical devices and keep these devices in good working order. 

1. First, check back with the agency that donated the equipment. They might have someone available to help you over the telephone or internet. Be sure to inform them of the exact problem with the device manufacturer and model number. Some agencies that donate equipment and might offer repair training are Engineering World Health, International Medical Equipment Collaborative, and Medical equipment partnerships programme. 

2. If the step above does not help, try other agencies that donate medical equipment, like those above. Even if they did not donate the device that is broken, they might be able to help you in some way 

3. Next, contact medical device repair organizations, such as MedWrench.com, the BMET Wiki, and the Biomedical Engineering Society.

4. Service, Maintenance, and User's manuals might help repair or at least better understand the equipment and/or problem. Some manuals are available at Frank's Hospital Workshop and the Biomedical Engineering Website by Reza Najafi. Some general medical device repair books are "Maintenance and repair of laboratory, diagnostic imaging, and hospital equipment", World Health Organization, 1994 and "Medical Instrumentation in the Developing World", by Robert Malkin, Engineering World Health, 2006.

5. Of course, it is best to have a trained, maybe certified, Biomedical Engineer/Technician to make the repairs, maintenance, and/or training. Many times, this is not possible, due to trained personnel limitations. In that event, perhaps someone on-site with some electronic or repair experience could assist, particularly with the remote assistance of someone more experienced. Maybe even the "village repair person" could help.

6. Mobile phones and other connectivity tools could enable a "Virtual Service Call". Even someone with limited repair knowledge could be guided via voice/text to perform maintenance and repair. Video Conferencing and/or Audio Teleconferencing with multiple resources, worldwide, could allow collaboration to achieve equipment repair, maintenance, and/or training.

7. In addition, the devices could be remotely and simultaneously on-site, be accessed, diagnosed, and possibly serviced, via USB or other connection means, as described in the report Medical Equipment Tele- and Condition-Based Maintenance with Enhanced Remote Diagnostic Access (RDA) and Computer Vision.

8. Lastly, Social Media could be used to announce of a need to help fix a specific device. Then, people with knowledge and/or experience could respond and help fix it remotely. You might even mention of an ongoing need for help to keep the equipment in good working order, even with remote assistance.

Takeaways: 

1.  We now have the technology available to facilitate medical device repair, maintenance, and/or training via a remote location.
2.  Medical Devices no longer need to be discarded just because no one can fix them on-site.
3.  The very basics of biomedical equipment repair can be taught remotely. In addition, those with limited repair experience can be guided from a remote location. 

For more information: 

1.  Medical Equipment Donated to Developing Nations Usually Ends Up on the Junk Heap - "Medical equipment donations enable hospitals in developing countries to get their hands on expensive and much-needed technology. However, there is a growing concern that those donations do more harm than good. Hallways and closets often become cluttered with unused or broken-down equipment for which locals lack parts or training in how to make repairs."
2.  Engineering World Health - "Provides students from around the world with the life-changing educational experience of repairing vital medical equipment in the world's most resource-poor communities. In collaboration with local partners in Asia, Africa, and Central America, creates locally sustainable training programs for biomedical engineering technicians (BMETs)."
3.  Frank's Hospital Workshop - "I hope that this website can be a little support to all biomedical technicians in developing countries. Here you find all the documents about biomedical technology I have collected, all the user and service manuals I have, all training courses that I have developed and have held."
4.  Biomedical Engineering Website by Reza Najafi - "This website is designed to assist Clinical / Biomedical Engineers to find manuals and information about Medical Equipment."
5.  International Medical Equipment Collaborative - "The IMEC Global Green Program™ is a medical surplus solution for hospitals and healthcare providers. It is a resource that enables hospitals and providers to make responsible use of medical surplus. IMEC Global Green Program participants have access to a dedicated IMEC representative and an on-demand surplus equipment pick up system. The result is a more effectively managed excess equipment process that is not only cost-effective and good for the environment, but also serves the needs of impoverished hospitals around the world. IMEC completes a thorough assessment of the impoverished hospital to ensure the equipment we distribute is suitable for the facility and will help advance the standard of care."
6.  MedWrench.com - "MedWrench.com is a resource and sharing network for users of medical equipment. You can get answers, find information and read what others think about the equipment they use. It is free to join and easy to keep informed."
7.  Medical equipment partnerships programme - "As part of the Health Partnerships Scheme (HPS), THET is running a medical equipment partnerships programme which funds five partnership projects between UK and low-income country partner institutions to improve the maintenance and management of medical equipment within developing country institutions."
8.  BMET Wiki - "Basically the people who repair medical equipment. This wiki is where Biomed's can exchange knowledge and provide education about our profession, including information about workshops, symposiums, vendors/OEMs, regulatory agencies/standards, tools, courses, associations, and more wiki stuff."
9.  Medical Equipment Tele- and Condition-Based Maintenance with Enhanced Remote Diagnostic Access (RDA) and Computer Vision - "The current medical equipment maintenance model is "on site and physical", rather than "remote and virtual". There is no comprehensive or standardized remote diagnostic access (RDA) capability for biomedical technicians to troubleshoot and resolve problems remotely and securely. Additionally, the current operations model is "reactive", rather than "proactive", in terms of early problem detection and prevention. The lack of visibility to the health of medical equipment and the need to be on site for problem resolution, coupled with frequent rotations and scarcity of medical equipment technicians, continue to cause considerable downtime of critical medical equipment densities and is detrimental to the health care support to our war fighters."
10.  Maintenance and repair of laboratory, diagnostic imaging, and hospital equipment, World Health Organization, 1994 - "A practical guide to the maintenance and repair of essential laboratory and hospital equipment. Intended for use in institutions that do not have specially trained technicians or engineers, the book responds to the situation, frequently seen in developing countries, where much of the equipment is imported and adequate information on maintenance and repair is rarely provided by suppliers. With these special needs in mind, the manual aims to help staff using specific types of equipment to understand basic principles of construction and operation, adopt good working practices, avoid common errors, perform routine maintenance, and spot the early signs of defects or deterioration. Advice on equipment repair concentrates on common causes of problems that can be solved without expertise in engineering."
11.  "Medical Instrumentation in the Developing World" - "How do you test a defibrillator without a defibrillation tester? How can you use a piece of chicken to test an electrosurgery unit? These are the types of questions that an engineer working in a developing world hospital asks every day. The proper test equipment isn't available, and the hospital has a desperate need. To answer these questions, EWH has published "Medical Instrumentation in the Developing World", written by Professor Bob Malkin. This book provides the kind of practical testing and repairing suggestions that engineers can use when in a poorly equipped hospital, far from a clinical engineering department. It is the only practical manual for equipment repair in the developing world currently available."

Disclaimer - This article is for information only and is not medical or legal advice. 

Sickle Cell Disease - Information and Resources, especially for Developing Countries

This post provides a few resources on Sickle Cell Disease for those who have little or no money, particularly in Developing Countries, e.g. Ghana.  

General Information:

• Sickle-cell disease (SCD), or sickle-cell anaemia (SCA) or drepanocytosis
• "Where There is No Doctor" - pdf download or buy - Check index for Sickle Cell, page 321?
• Approaches to Treating Chronic Anemia in Developing Countries
• Sickle cell disease prevention and control 
•  Sickle Cell Disease: New Opportunities and Challenges in Africa

 Support, Networking, and Contacts:

• Global Sickle Cell Disease Network
• Sickle Cell Disease Association of America, Inc.

Perhaps this will give you a start.  Good luck in finding what you are looking for. If you want more information, here is a Good Internet Search String - ((sickle-cell disease) OR (sickle-cell anaemia) OR drepanocytosis) developing-countries

Disclaimer - Article is for information only and is not medical advice.

Do You Need Help Fixing Medical Devices or Hospital Equipment?

"People Helping People" Can Now Help Repair Medical Devices Remotely

"Did you know that much of the donated medical equipment to developing countries is unusable after a time? According to Scientific American, "Medical Equipment Donated to Developing Nations Usually Ends Up on the Junk Heap". The devices might very well arrive in good working condition, but after a while, the device breaks and no one is available to fix it. Many health clinics are lucky to have a healthcare professional, much less a biomedical equipment technician. So what happens? The devices form a scrapheap of dead hospital equipment. This is very frustrating to health care workers trying their best to heal the sick."......MORE at http://voices.yahoo.com/do-help-fixing-medical-devices-hospital-12525491.html

Do you need help fixing medical devices or hospital equipment?

Do you need help fixing medical devices or hospital equipment?

“People helping People” can help repair devices remotely.

Did you know that much of the donated medical equipment to developing countries is unusable?  The devices might very well arrive in good working condition, but after a while, the device breaks and no one is available to fix it.  Many health clinics are lucky to have a healthcare professional, much less a biomedical equipment technician.  So what happens?  The devices form a scrapheap of dead hospital equipment.  This is very frustrating to health care workers trying their best to heal the sick.

This article is meant to inform of the resources available now to help you or others repair defective medical devices.  Listed below are some resources, ranging from equipment manuals to possible contacts for more service or user information.

In addition, we have the technology now to facilitate “people helping people” fix medical devices or hospital equipment, remotely. 

·       Healthcare workers can now use Social Media to announce they need help fixing a specific device.  Then, people with knowledge and/or experience could respond and help them fix it remotely.  Some examples of Social Media are Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, etc.  “Groups” could be formed within Social Media sites to facilitate the sharing of information and resources on Using, Repairing, and/or Maintaining Biomedical Equipment.

• ·       Healthcare workers can now use Social Media to announce they need help fixing a specific device.  Then, people with knowledge and/or experience could respond and help them fix it remotely.  Some examples of Social Media are Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, etc.  “Groups” could be formed within Social Media sites to facilitate the sharing of information and resources on Using, Repairing, and/or Maintaining Biomedical Equipment.
• ·       Mobile phones and other connectivity tools could allow a “Virtual Service Call”.  Even someone with limited repair knowledge could be guided via voice/text to perform maintenance and repair.  Video Conferencing and/or Audio Teleconferencing with multiple resources, worldwide, could allow collaboration to achieve an equipment repair and/or training.
• ·       The devices could be remotely, and simultaneously on-site, be accessed, diagnosed, and possibly serviced, via USB or other connection means.
• ·       More Service, Maintenance, and User’s manuals could be available to the public online, as some are now. 
• ·       Basic diagnostic, service, and maintenance skills could be taught free of charge online to anyone interested.  Online training, recorded online videos, etc. could teach the basics of repair to most anyone.

Takeaways:

• ·       We now have the technology available to facilitate medical device repair and/or training via a remote location.
• ·       Medical Devices no longer need to be discarded just because no one can fix them on-site.
• ·       The very basics of biomedical equipment repair can be taught remotely.  In addition, those with limited repair experience can be guided from a remote location.

For more information:

·       Medical Equipment Donated to Developing Nations Usually Ends Up on the Junk Heap – “Medical equipment donations enable hospitals in developing countries to get their hands on expensive and much-needed technology. However, there is a growing concern that those donations do more harm than good. Hallways and closets often become cluttered with unused or broken-down equipment for which locals lack parts or training in how to make repairs.”

·       Engineering World Health – “Provides students from around the world with the life-changing educational experience of repairing vital medical equipment in the world's most resource-poor communities.  In collaboration with local partners in Asia, Africa, and Central America, creates locally sustainable training programs for biomedical engineering technicians (BMETs).”

·       Frank’s Hospital Workshop – “I hope that this website can be a little support to all biomedical technicians in developing countries.  Here you find all the documents about biomedical technology I have collected, all the user and service manuals I have, all training courses that I have developed and have held.”

·       Biomedical Engineering Website by Reza Najafi – “This website is designed to assist Clinical / Biomedical Engineers to find manuals and information about Medical Equipment.”

·       International Medical Equipment Collaborative – “Used equipment is repaired as needed by skilled technical volunteers, many of whom are retired electrical engineers and medical technicians.”

·       MedWrench.com – “MedWrench.com is a resource and sharing network for users of medical equipment. You can get answers, find information and read what others think about the equipment they use. It is free to join and easy to keep informed.”

·       Medical equipment partnerships programme – “As part of the Health Partnerships Scheme (HPS), THET is running a medical equipment partnerships programme which funds five partnership projects between UK and low-income country partner institutions to improve the maintenance and management of medical equipment within developing country institutions.”

·       BMETForum.com – “This is the place to connect with biomedical equipment technicians, clinical engineers, and other healthcare technology management professionals.”

·       Medical Equipment Tele- and Condition-Based Maintenance with Enhanced Remote Diagnostic Access (RDA) and Computer Vision – “The current medical equipment maintenance model is “on site and physical”, rather than “remote and virtual”.  There is no comprehensive or standardized remote diagnostic access (RDA) capability for biomedical technicians to troubleshoot and resolve problems remotely and securely.  Additionally, the current operations model is “reactive”, rather than “proactive”, in terms of early problem detection and prevention.  The lack of visibility to the health of medical equipment and the need to be on site for problem resolution, coupled with frequent rotations and scarcity of medical equipment technicians, continue to cause considerable downtime of critical medical equipment densities and is detrimental to the health care support to our war fighters.”

·       Maintenance and repair of laboratory, diagnostic imaging, and hospital equipment, World Health Organization, 1994 – “A practical guide to the maintenance and repair of essential laboratory and hospital equipment. Intended for use in institutions that do not have specially trained technicians or engineers, the book responds to the situation, frequently seen in developing countries, where much of the equipment is imported and adequate information on maintenance and repair is rarely provided by suppliers. With these special needs in mind, the manual aims to help staff using specific types of equipment to understand basic principles of construction and operation, adopt good working practices, avoid common errors, perform routine maintenance, and spot the early signs of defects or deterioration. Advice on equipment repair concentrates on common causes of problems that can be solved without expertise in engineering.”

Disclaimer – This article is for information only and is not medical or legal advice.

"Dial a Doc" example - Telehealth - mHealth

"Dial a Doc" example - Telehealth - mHealth

"In past MedicalAutomation.org conferences, we have heard from telemedicine practitioners at the high end (Guardian 24/7 in Leesburg, VA) and low end (Doc Talker, Vienna, VA) of care services.  The greatest growth appears to be at the low end where, for a modest fee, patients with common ailments can call in and get a diagnosis and prescription.  This piece describes another low end example, “ISelectMD,” on Hilton Head Island, SC. For $25, a person can speak with a doctor (among a cadre of 200 physicians rotating on 24/7 service via a call center) often resulting in a quick and convenient resolution for a not-too-serious medical problem. Payment is out-of-pocket, but Medicaid supports telemed consultations....."

Link to article

6 Best Ways to End Homelessness by Using the New Healthcare Options

Stop Talking About Homelessness and Start Helping the Homeless Help Themselves - 

Many, if not all of us, are "one serious accident", "one serious illness", "one economic downturn" away from being homeless. 

Imagine yourself having Alzheimer's and homeless. You might or might not know you need medical help. Even if someone told you that healthcare was now available, you might not even understand him or her or have the physical ability to enroll in this new health option.

This is the plight of many homeless. They might know about the new health options, but do not know how to enroll. Some homeless are "so out of it", for whatever reason, they cannot understand or comprehend they have new healthcare options.

Thus, creates a service opportunity for average people to help the homeless help themselves. Most homeless do not choose their lifestyle. Many are afflicted with physical or mental conditions that restrict their choices in life. Maybe they want to do better in life, if only they had the health they so long wanted, but was out of reach to them.

Below are six suggestions for people, just like you and me, to help implement Affordable Health Care for homeless people. Your efforts might very well end or prevent homelessness for one or more persons. Even your tiniest effort will probably help......http://voices.yahoo.com/6-best-ways-end-homelessness-using-healthcare-12433071.html

Hesperian Health Wiki - Good Free Health Care Information

"What is the Hesperian HealthWiki?

Quite simply, it is a way to access Hesperian books in a simple and accessible online format that is well suited to slow networks and easy to adapt for local use.  The HealthWiki presents health information in 26 languages, thanks to ourtranslation partners and our pioneering open copyright policy.

Today we are proud to announce that A Community Guide to Environmental Health is now available in the HealthWiki in Spanish! Check it out and share this valuable resource far and wide.

“This text takes the next essential step in providing information and resources to underserved and marginalized populations in the areas of community organizing, environmental health, and establishment of health services. Building on Hesperian's ground-breaking health education publications like Where There Is No Doctor, this text goes beyond general health information to provide information and strategies that empower marginalized communities and encourage community members to actively promote, organize and advocate for improved environmental health and services in their community.

As a health education and promotion agency for over 25 years, Migrant Health Promotion relies extensively on Hesperian's health education materials and resources… A Community Guide to Environmental Healthaddresses the many environmental health concerns that face the migrant farmworker population. The Spanish language version of A Community Guide to Environmental Health is an invaluable resource for our organization and the populations we serve."

                -Tori Booker, MPH/MSW, Migrant Health Promotion

Materials in the HealthWiki are free as we believe strongly that everyone has the right to accurate health information.  We hope that those who can afford to buy books choose to do so that we can continue to produce, update, and translate health guides....." - https://app.e2ma.net/app/view:CampaignPublic/id:35444.12920385041/rid:d2be0791e36f99ad2a7e6188d39aad99

Where There is No Dentist....Hesperian

Hesperian has a new announcement....

"At Hesperian Health Guides, we work hard to keep our books up-to-date with reliable medical information and resource listings.  Today we are happy to announce that an updated version of our one-of-a-kind book, Where There Is No Dentist, is available -- and it still costs less than $15.00! As always, the book provides straightforward, step-by-step dental instruction as well as creative ways to promote oral hygiene to young children, students, and adults.

What do trainers of community health workers have to say about Where There Is No Dentist?

Our organization has three international health project sites -- in Nicaragua, Bolivia and Mozambique. I purchased copies for each location. Our community health workers teach basic health services and prevention messages to rural communities. More than 100,000 people in these countries participate in our public health campaigns, including caring for your teeth to prevent future extractions. There is no affordable dental care for 95% of the population in any of these countries. This makes prevention all the more important. And when a dentist isn't available, a community health worker can use this resource to guide a villager toward a basic solution. --Program Director, Esperança, Inc.

 

Highlights of the updated 2012 edition include: 

• A new section on Atraumatic Restorative Treatment (ART), a permanent method to fill cavities without the use of an expensive dental drill
• Updated information on where to get other training materials, resources, and dental supplies

Hesperian is a small nonprofit and depends on your support to keep our books updated. Consider purchasing a book or making a donation today.

Thanks for supporting Hesperian Health Guides!" - from https://app.e2ma.net/app/view:CampaignPublic/id:35444.11083127257/rid:85e27b53380d26e9f8c0b415f789e435

Comments?

Health Issues faced by Native American Women - Hesperian

"Hesperian is proud to partner with Native JourneyWoman to offerJourneyWoman: A Native Woman’s Guides to Wellness (volumes 1 and 2) for sale on our Health and Empowerment bookshelf. Loosely based on Where Women Have No Doctor, these two guides offer a unique perspective on a range of physical, mental, and community health issues faced by Native women across North America.

The JourneyWoman books began when the Women's Wellness Program of the Native American Rehabilitation Association of the Northwest conducted in-depth interviews with women served by the program as well as from neighboring Tribes. The interviews revealed barriers to health ranging from historical trauma leading to mistrust in the health care system to the lack of a "native look" to health awareness materials. The participants recommended the creation of women's health materials that were designed for Native women, and Where Women Have No Doctor was chosen as a strong model for its accessible content and design. The project was so successful that the founding group of women working on the book formed Native JourneyWoman, a non-profit organization dedicated to creating empowering health materials.

Beautifully illustrated and printed in full color, these two volumes are an excellent example of how Hesperian materials can be adapted to meet the needs of a community and become a valued and trusted resource. One reader wrote: “I wish someone had given me this book at about age 12 – I may have made some better health decisions as a young woman. I would love to teach seminars using this as a text... both young and old women could learn so much from your guide to wellness.” We at Hesperian have learned a lot from JourneyWoman as well....." -  https://app.e2ma.net/app/view:CampaignPublic/id:35444.11067151395/rid:9a40924d2a484cc0c3da08120d52d64c

Helping Health Care Workers Learn - from Hesperian

"Helping Health Workers Learn, first published in 1982, has become a trusted manual for those working on the frontlines of health worker training and participatory education. Hesperian has just completed the 13thprinting of Helping Health Workers Learn, updated with new resources, technologies and references. You can buy a copy here. We have also made it available on our website as a PDF, for free download. And just in time, since it looks like Community Health Workers are coming back into style...." - https://app.e2ma.net/app/view:CampaignPublic/id:35444.11041218655/rid:c689f01a6357ab8c3c67a4d845018f2f

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Good for the U.S. and other countries struggling with high health care costs?  Why can't we have Community Health Care Workers, like developing countries?

Comments?

First Arabic Symptom Checker

"Arabic Medical Portal AlTibbi Launches Breakthrough Symptom Checker and Social Network
by Nina Curley, May 15, 2012 - Arabic medical portal Altibbi.com has just launched two major improvements to its comprehensive diagnosis platform: the first Arab physician's network and a completely Arabic symptom checker. ...." -  http://www.wamda.com/2012/05/arabic-medical-portal-altibbi-launches-symptom-checker

Commments?

Why can't the U.S. have a Health Care System like Africa's Millennium Villages?

"Breakthroughs in Health in the Millennium Villages - Co-authored with Sonia Sachs and Prabhjot Singh -

In Africa's Millennium Villages (MVs), local communities are taking many actions in health care, agriculture, education, and other challenges to achieve the Millennium Development Goals. Their hard work is paying off. In just three years, the mortality rate among children under five dropped by 22 percent. This pace is three times faster than national trends in the rural areas, and is fast enough to achieve the Millennium Development Goal for child mortality (MDG 4). These results, detailed in a Lancet study published today, reinforce the global effort to build effective, low-cost, community-led health care systems that can end millions of deaths of young children and pregnant women each year.

The Millennium Villages are representative of the most impoverished settings across sub-Saharan Africa, where the rate of child mortality is fifteen times higher than in developed economies. High child mortality is caused mainly by diarrhea, pneumonia, malaria and HIV infection, all made more severe by under-nutrition, and from unsafe childbirths taking place at home without skilled personnel. These conditions go unsolved because of weak and under-financed health systems. The Millennium Villages strategy is to build a highly effective, low-cost health system to address the range of infectious diseases, nutritional deficiencies, and risks related to childbirth.

The new Millennium Village health system is starting to show notable results. Together with advances in food production and other related areas in the villages, the MV health system shares credit for the rapid gains reported today in the Lancet. Across the 9 countries included in the Millennium Villages Lancet study (Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mali, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Nigeria, Tanzania, and Uganda), five elements of the new health systems are re-defining what is possible in rural poor settings in sub-Saharan Africa:...." - http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jeffrey-sachs/breakthroughs-in-health-i_b_1498330.html

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Article above talks of Community Health Workers, Procedures and Decision Support, Mobile phones for health management, Low-cost devices for disease detection and management, Verbal Autopsies and Management Responses. 

 Why can't the U.S. have a healthcare system like this?

Comments?

"Safe Pregnancy and Birth mobile app now available for Android phones"

"Safe Pregnancy and Birth mobile app now available for Android phones

In honor of Mother’s Day, we’re proud to announce that our Safe Pregnancy and Birth mobile app is now available for freeas a beta release for Android phones. Click here to download it now from the Google Play app store. In January, we released our app for iPhones; click here to download it from the Apple store. If you don’t have an Android or iPhone, you can preview the app here
.

Our app is the only comprehensive app on pregnancy and birth developed specifically for low-resource settings. Life-saving information is presented in clear, accessible language rich with illustrations, and an intuitive and friendly navigation—perfect for working with community health workers or midwives with varied literacy levels. As always, we welcome your feedback.

Hesperian’s other women’s health resources are available in English and Spanish in our bookstore and in our new HealthWiki digital format." - https://app.e2ma.net/app/view:CampaignPublic/id:35444.11032140323/rid:320d13d954cd5fa34b5e6d733be84917

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The above is from the Hesperian Health Guides - see link above

Resources for Low-Cost, Affordable, Practical Healthcare

Below is information from the Hesperian book "Where There is No Doctor" - "Addresses for Teaching Materials" - http://hesperian.org/wp-content/uploads/pdf/en_wtnd_2011/en_wtnd_2011_resc.pdf


From that link above, here are the links.  You might be particularly interested in these if you are striving for low-cost affordable healthcare, no matter where you live.  Some of these have newsletters you can subscribe to.  The link above explains each of the below in more detail.

• Hesperian Health Guides -  http://hesperian.org/
• African Medical and Research Foundation -  http://www.amref.org/
• Arab Resource Collective -  http://www.mawared.org/ (In Arabic, but Google can translate)
• Child-to-Child Trust -  http://www.child-to-child.org/
• Christian Medical Association of India -  http://www.cmai.org/
• DEMOTECH – Designs for Self-Reliance -  http://www.demotech.org/
• International Development Research Centre (IDRC) -  http://www.idrc.ca/EN/Pages/default.aspx
• International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) -  http://www.ippf.org/en/
• Media/Materials Clearinghouse -  http://www.m-mc.org/
• Voluntary Health Association of India (VHAI) -  http://www.vhai.org/
• World Neighbors International Headquarters -  http://www.wn.org/site/c.buITJ7NRKsLaG/b.6248395/k.BEF1/Home.htm
• Alcoholics Anonymous -  http://www.aa.org/
• ENDA – Environmental Development Action in the Third World -  http://www.endatiersmonde.org/ (In French, but Google can translate)
• Health Action Information Network (HAIN) -  http://www.hain.org/
• Helen Keller International -  http://www.hki.org/
• Nutrition Center of the Philippines -  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Nutrition_Council_(Philippines) also  http://www.nnc.gov.ph/
• Practical Action -  http://practicalaction.org/
• Teaching Aids at Low Cost (TALC) -  http://www.talcuk.org/

If you have more listings, please contact Hesperian from where all this information came from.  They might consider adding your information or link at some time.  Contact Hesperian at  http://hesperian.org/

Thought for the Day - What can the U.S. and other Developed Countries learn from Developing Countries who are achieving Affordable Health Care?

A Community Guide to Environmental Health - Earth Day

"April 22 is Earth Day! Hesperian is celebrating by releasing A Community Guide to Environmental Health in our newHealthWiki! This digital format makes it easy to access, edit and adapt the material for local needs." - https://app.e2ma.net/app/view:CampaignPublic/id:35444.11016821437/rid:ca3292edb5a068c5dec95e0b11326b07

Affordable Health Care - Medical Innovation Happening Around the World!

"Read about the creative and inspiring ways that people around the world are using Hesperian materials to take Action for Health." - https://app.e2ma.net/app/view:CampaignPublic/id:35444.11005722696/rid:7821c9b7e21dfaa809aa79b2c42bfd01

See! - Medical Innovation doesn't just happen in the rich countries, like the U.S.  "Necessity is the mother of invention".  Others aren't just talking - they're doing!

"IDEAL LIFE and Sprint Introduce New Home Health Wellness Communication Gateway"

"IDEAL LIFE and Sprint Introduce New Home Health Wellness Communication Gateway" - http://www.fiercehealthit.com/press-releases/ideal-life-and-sprint-introduce-new-home-health-wellness-communication-gate

Several other companies are also coming out with Health Kiosks too, but these are too costly for the Other 90% of the World.

Let's design an Ultra-Low-Cost Health Kiosk for worldwide use, not just for the rich countries. This could be a challenge for world health organizations, universities, retired engineers/scientists/health care professionals, Doctors Without Borders, Engineers Without Borders, and anyone else interested. Just give this gift to the world and enjoy it.

• This Kiosk could be developed through Open Innovation, Crowdsourcing, Open Source Software, etc. 
• A wiki could provide collaboration of countries, institutions, people, etc.
• Attorneys could help design around active patents, otherwise use expired patents which are in the public domain. Companies could donate or license unused patents to this cause, no strings attached.
• Publish it all over too, to prevent future patenting of technology that would benefit the world so much. 
• Government officials worldwide could "grease the skids" of development. 
• Rich folks could provide the money with no strings attached; attorneys could make sure of that with a donation agreement.

Let's get to work! What do you think?
If you need some start material see my blogs. I've laid down some groundwork for years now, but I'm sure you all can do much better.

Pediatric Tricorder Ready to be Invented?

From HealthyChildren.org - "Is your child sick? Whether you're on the go or at home, this app will help you know what to do next.

What should you do if your child develops a fever, cough, vomiting, rash, sore throat or head injury? When can your child return to school or child care after an illness? These are medical advice questions that all parents have. Health problems can arise anytime – evenings, weekends, when you’re at work or traveling or your doctor’s office is closed.

KidsDoc is designed especially for these times. The care guides help you make smart decisions on what level of care (if any) is needed and how to provide speedy symptom relief for minor illnesses or injuries you can manage on your own.

KidsDoc is derived from the clinical protocols used by pediatricians and nurses in 10,000 practices and 400 nurse advice call centers in the US and Canada. They have been tested for 15 years on more than 150 million symptom calls." - See Full Description at http://www.healthychildren.org/English/tips-tools/Symptom-Checker/Pages/KidsDoc-Symptom-Checker-App.aspx

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Could this be the beginnings of a Tricorder for children? Let's see.....

What else could be added to this symptom checker app to make into a Tricorder?

Maybe this Build-A-Tricorder "Idea Trampoline" might be helpful in your inventing - http://tgideas.blogspot.com/2012/03/could-open-innovation-hasten-creation.html

Good Luck!  Honk as you go by! :-)

Low Cost Medical Innovation Seeping into the U.S. - Like it or not!

Low cost medical innovation is happening outside of developed countries, including the U.S.  This innovation will seep into the U.S. whether big business likes it or not.  Consumers are asking tough questions these days, and not just depend on what they're told.  You can be part of the solution to fix a broken health care system.

This is what caught my eye.... Low Cost Medical Innovation in China and India - http://health-club.org/medical-innovation-china-india

To find more of the same, here are the Google Search Strings I used...

• (low-cost OR affordable OR cheap) (medical-innovation)
• (low-cost OR affordable OR cheap) (medical-innovation) (asia OR india OR china OR brazil OR bricit)

From above, here are some that attracted me...

http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/157/bone-drills-lunar-design-stanford - Stanford Bone Drill India 

http://www.economist.com/node/17961922 - Asian Medical Innovation - also http://davidvansickle.com/2011/01/economist-on-low-cost-medical-innovation/ also http://www.economist.com/node/17961922/comments 

http://health.newamerica.net/blogposts/2011/cost_medical_innovation_and_the_affordable_care_act-43533 - related to Affordable Health Care Act 

http://www.msfaccess.org/structural-tags/driving-medical-innovation - List of articles on low-cost medical innovation worldwide 

Medical innovation in the changing healthcare marketplace: conference summary - National Academies Press, May 30, 2002 - Book

And, of course, there is Tom's Personal Clinic - Maybe my work will inspire others.

http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2012-01-18/news/30639136_1_innovation-medical-device-india-and-china - India frugal medical innovation

http://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/arabic/article.cfm?articleid=2786 - low cost considered "disruptive innovation" by some

http://www.healthleadersmedia.com/page-1/TEC-261590/Medical-Technology-Innovation-Gaining-Ground-in-China-India - India and China

http://newsbusters.org/blogs/mark-finkelstein/2011/09/22/kattys-complaint-why-doesnt-usa-have-40-year-plan-chinas - Why doesn't U.S. have medical innovation plan like China?

http://www.ted.com/talks/r_a_mashelkar_breakthrough_designs_for_ultra_low_cost_products.html - examples in video

http://www.freepressrelease.eu/?p=47664 - example of medical tourism in India

Some Action Steps...if you want to help yourself and others with affordable healthcare

1. Send this to your congress-person, president, or other government leaders. Ask them why we can't be as progressive as India and China are.
2. Send this to your healthcare professional, insurance providers, and the like. Ask them to promote low cost medical innovation.
3. Consider doing what I have done in Tom's Health Care Reform Plan. Take charge of your own life.
4. What else can you or others do? Please comment for all to see.

Disclaimer - For information only, and not medical advice.

Hesperian Health Guides Contest Ends Soon

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As long as you're on the link, check out the wonderful resources.  Don't whine about not having affordable health care.  Get to work and help yourself and others - even here in the U.S.! (Please)