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Medical Engineering Department
 

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Skip Navigation LinksAUBMC > Patient Care > Administrative Services > Medical Engineering

Mission
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The mission of the Department of Medical Engineering at the American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC) is to provide technology transfer and technology management services to the Faculty of Medicine at AUB, AUBMC, other AUB faculties, and other institutions in Lebanon and the region in a cost-effective manner and in accordance with international standards in education, research, and patient care.​

For more information about our servoces, please visit this link.​​


Director's Message


Welcome to the Department of Medical Engineering at AUBMC, where our primary goal is to improve human health through proper, modern healthcare, excellence in research, and superior education by integrating the sciences of engineering and medicine.

Medical engineering (has several other names among which are biomedical engineering and clinical engineering) is a relative newcomer to the field of medicine. However, as man recognized disease, he also recognized the need for tools (technologies) and tricks of the trade to deal with the secrets of the human body.

Over time, healthcare technology has become one of the most important forms of technology in any society. Everyone has some experience with it through birth, illness, and aging. In fact, without the technology that we have today, the healthcare system has almost nothing to offer the sick and distressed, except supportive care.

The word technology is derived from the Greek word “techne” or tool. However, the officially recognized definition of healthcare technology is: drugs, devices, and medical and surgical procedures used in healthcare and organizational and supportive systems within which such care is provided. This definition also includes both the hardware and the software. As such, a hospital can be considered as a technology, as well as a healthcare system.

We, at the Department of Medical Engineering, have defined our mission statement along the above broad definition of healthcare technology, while taking into account the fact that it must also attend to the research and teaching needs of an academic institution. In doing so, we also took into account the important factors needed to do appropriate, proper, safe, and cost-effective technology transfer.

We are proud of our reputation which has been built over time and hope that in the coming years, we will continue to break new ground in this fascinating field and look forward to serving our communities with cost-effective and timely solutions for today’s rapidly changing, healthcare environment, while staying at the cutting edge of education and research.

Bassam Tabshouri, Director
Department of Medical Engineering
American University of Beirut Medical Center​​

Meet Us


Name​​ Title Extension Pager E-mail
Bassam TabshouriDirector66640750 tbassam@aub.edu.lb
Sanna MehaidliSecretary6660/1- sp03@aub.edu.lb
Bassam GhibreelTotal Quality and Training Manager6663- bmg@aub.edu.lb
Tania El HajjTraining and Quality Specialist6673- th37@aub.edu.lb
Zouheir KhaliliClinical Engineering Manager66760751 zk01@aub.edu.lb
Mohammad ShehabShop Administrator6657- ms174@aub.edu.lb
Salah SinnoBiomedical Electronics Technician II6667/5- ss128@aub.edu.lb
Ali HamdanBiomedical Electronics Technician II6667/5- ah142@aub.edu.lb
Ahmad IssaBiomedical Electronics Technician I6667/5- ai35@aub.edu.lb
Samer ZabadElectronics Engineer66750752 sz00@aub.edu.lb
Hussein El RihaniBiomedical Electronics Technician II6667/51556 he39@aub.edu.lb
Walid KhatibChief Instrument Mechanic66740899 wa13@aub.edu.lb
Rima ZibClinical Engineer66720754 rz34@aub.edu.lb
Joseph MurrClinical Engineer66580753 jm76@aub.edu.lb
Gaby AndraosChief Engineer - Medical IT Unit66770756 ga06@aub.edu.lb
Mohammad ZaghloulProgramming Analysis II - Medical IT Unit66531472 mz34@aub.edu.lb
Zeinab DerghamDatabase System Integrator - Medical IT Unit66521545 zd10@aub.edu.lb
Danielle SkaffComputer Engineer - Medical IT Unit6836- ds51@aub.edu.lb
Raja ChaabanElectronics Engineer Specialist66431610 rc11@aub.edu.lb
Joan YounesElectronics Engineer Specialist42901609 jy03@aub.edu.lb
Chady AssafElectronics Engineer4299- ca52@aub.edu.lb
Samer KhalilElectronics Technician4299- sk116@aub.edu.lb
Khalil KhaterSenior Optical Mechanic6662- kk18@aub.edu.lb
Emile SabbaghOptical Mechanic66590996 es18@aub.edu.lb

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​Our Experience

The field of clinical engineering started in 1967 under a variety of labels, such as biomedical or medical engineering. The American University of Beirut Medical Center (​AUBMC) Scientific Equipment Center (SEC), founded in 1968 to support scientific research at the Medical School, was later renamed in 1979 as the “Medical Engineering Department” and entrusted with the additional support of clinical equipment at AUBMC.

By virtue of the unique nature and location of AUBMC as an American institution located in Lebanon and serving the Middle East region, the department was able to acquire, over the years, valuable experience being required to adopt US and international standards in a region with limited technical and financial resources.

Due to these unique and varied capabilities, we have been called upon to consult and execute projects outside the institution, both locally and regionally.



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"Experience and experts are related words derived from the Latin verb: to put to test."​
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​​The Challenge

Today, the healthcare industry is undergoing significant changes in terms of knowledge and new technologies which are highly specialized. These changes are raising complex moral and ethical issues, in addition to the issue of dealing with the healthcare expenditures which are increasing.

Healthcare centers are challenged to provide affordable and efficient access to quality healthcare while taking advantage of technology breakthroughs for improved health and quality of life.

In addition to the fore-mentioned points, the Department of Medical Engineering at the American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC) has dealt with:

the high international standards that AUBMC and the Faculty of Medicine at AUB aim to maintain in a developing country in terms of patient care, education, and research

full responsibility of servicing all the medical equipment at AUBMC during war times without relying on any local support
However, our biggest challenge has been making the above ends meet and building our expertise using our resources in a cost-effective manner.


The Solution

​Technology has become part and parcel of any accredited healthcare system. However, with only a handful of more than 10,000 new medical technologies appearing on the market each year, hospitals may, without expert help and advice, end up spending large sums of money on ineffective technologies and equipment.


This is why it is crucial to properly attend to and develop programs whereby biomedical engineers are involved in:

  • Technology Transfer - With Management Processes and Systems
    • Assessment of new or existing technologies
    • Planning of facilities (including budgeting)
    • Development of policies, procedures, and administrative systems
    • Development of bid specifications and evaluation of bids
    • Purchasing negotiations
    • ​Equipment-specific site planning and equipment installations
    • Advising on software systems for laboratory, radiology, medical records, scheduling, etc...
  • Technology Management Services
    • Development and implementation of systems to meet international and/or local standards
    • Implementation of equipment management and maintenance programs/softwares
    • Balancing in-house vs. outside maintenance and service agreements
    • Negotiation of service agreements
    • Development of safety programs
    • Development of calibration protocols
  • Educational Programs
    • Training of nursing staff and support teams on the proper use and care of equipment
    • Training of biomedical engineers and technicians
    • Technology management and transfer practices for administrators and clinical and nursing senior management
    • Training on electrical safety
    • Specific technology presentations to medical and nursing staff
  • ​Medical and Basic Science Research
    • Participating in medical or basic science procedures/experiments
    • Modifying existing equipment for special research purposes
    • Designing new equipment for special research purposes
​

Innovations

The below new devices were created by medical engineers and physicians at AUBMC:

  1. Special, Two-Way, Foot-Activated Pump and Stimulator for Anesthesia
    By: Zouheir Khalili, clinical biomedical engineer - Chakib Ayoub, MD

    Publications
    C. Ayoub, A. Lteif, M. Rizk, Z. Khalili, S. Aoude (2002) A peripheral nerve stimulator for nerve location controlled by the scrubbed anaesthetist
    Anaesthesia 57 (10), 995–998.
    doi:10.1046/j.1365-2044.2002.02748.x​

    ​
  2. Head Device
    By: Joe-Max Wakim, biomedical engineer - Fadi Saikali, biomedical engineer - Youssef Comair, MD - Ali Al Araj, MD

    Publications
    A. Alaraj, J-M. Wakim, F. Saykali, E. Louak, M-T. Zakaria, Y. Comair. A New Device for Neuronavigation Wit​hout Skull Fixation in Awake Craniotomies for Tumor Resection in Elequent Brain Under Local Anesthesia. Oral and Poster Presentation at the XXXVII Middle East Medical Assembly. May 2-5, 2002. Beirut, Lebanon.

    Problem
    Tumors of the central region are best operated on under local anesthesia. The head cannot be fixed under local anesthesia using the below Mayfield retractor because it is uncomfortable for the patient.
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Resources: Links

  • American College of Clinical Engineering (ACCE): http://www.accenet.org

  • American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE): http://www.aimbe.org

  • American University of Beirut (AUB): http://www.aub.edu.lb

  • American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC): http://www.aubmc.org.lb

  • Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI): http://www.aami.org

  • AuntMinnie.com: http://www.auntminnie.com

  • Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES): http://www.bmes.org

  • Emergency Care Research Institute (ECRI): http://www.ecri.org

  • Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc (IEEE): http://www.ieee.com

  • International Federation for Medical and Biological Engineering (IFMBE): http://www.ifmbe.org


  • U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA): http://www.fda.gov



Resources: FAQ

  1. ​The working hours are normally 8 am - 5 pm, so is AUBMC supported 24 hours by the Department of Medical Engineering staff?
    Yes. Most of our staff have pagers listed on this website (view) and in the AUB directory, as well.

  2. ​In case we need support from suppliers, do we get in touch with them directly?
    No. Call the Department of Medical Engineering, and we will handle the contact and assess
    the work needed to be done on the equipment.

  3. In case of a problem, what type of basic troubleshooting can an equipment user do?        First, check if the equipment is connected to the electrical supply and that it has power. Try    to change the power cable and/or plug it in another place. If it is powered on, check  the operator manual.

  4. ​​Is the latest technology the best for my use?
    Not necessarily. New technology needs time to be proven in terms of reliability, efficiency, efficacy, and cost effectiveness.

  5. In case we want to purchase new equipment or budget for new ones, how can the Department of Medical Engineering help us?
    We can help you by developing the specifications of the equipment you need and, then, by technically evaluating the offers. As for budgeting, we can help you in setting the proper budget for the equipment, making sure the budget includes the price of all
    the functionality you need.

  6. ​As we understood from the Department of Medical Engineering website, you have a long experience in healthcare technology management and transfer. Are you ready to help other institutions?
    Requests can be entertained on a project-by-project basis.



Contact Us

​
For further information, you can contact us on one of the following:

  • Mailing Address
    American University of Beirut Medical Center
    Department of Medical Engineering
    PO Box: 113/6044
    Beirut, Lebanon

  • Location
    AUBMC, Phase II, fourth floor

  • E-mail
    medeng@aub.edu.lb

  • Telephone
    To schedule an appointment, kindly call:
    • Telephone: 00961-1-374374 or 00961-1-350000 ext: 6660/1
    • Direct line: 00961-1-345473

  • Fax
    00961-1-345473

  • Working Hours
    Monday to Friday from 8 am to 5 pm (Beirut local time)​


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