Introduction: A New Approach to Managing Medical Devices

GE HealthCare has introduced ReadyFix, a remote fleet management solution designed to help hospitals improve operational efficiency and maintain reliable patient care. The system debuted in the United States and will initially work with the company’s MAC VU360 resting electrocardiogram (ECG) workstations, which help healthcare providers maintain continuous cardiac care through reduced device interruptions.

Real-Time Monitoring and Remote Diagnostics

The healthcare system uses ReadyFix to monitor its entire hospital through real-time device data and remote diagnostic tools. Biomedical engineers use remote tools to diagnose equipment issues and conduct troubleshooting while they schedule software updates, which helps maintain equipment reliability and reduces downtime.

The solution enables remote deployment of standardized clinical configurations which maintain consistent protocols and user experiences across all departments. The system enables clinicians to dedicate more time to patient care because it helps them manage equipment disruptions more effectively.

Addressing Growing Device Management Challenges

Hospitals operate their facilities with numerous connected devices which create operational difficulties for their biomedical engineering teams because each hospital bed requires 10 to 15 devices. Surveys show that 56% of biomedical engineers describe their workload as heavy or excessive, which shows the need for improved management solutions.

 The workforce shortages create additional difficulties to handle. The U.S. The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects more than 7300 job openings for biomedical equipment technicians in the coming decade while only about 400 graduates enter the field each year which creates a widening talent gap.

Supporting Consistent Cardiac Care

The system functions with MAC VU360 ECG equipment because ReadyFix enables continuous operation which provides doctors with dependable ECG readings to make efficient cardiac treatment decisions. The system enables maintenance work through remote software installation while handling system setup and providing access to equipment diagnostic information.

Healthcare organizations can also standardize device configurations after installation and maintain secure transmission of ECG data, helping improve consistency in patient care workflows.

Expanding the DeviceReady Portfolio

ReadyFix functions as a component of GE HealthCare's DeviceReady remote fleet management system which enables medical facilities to operate and maintain their networked medical devices with greater efficiency. The company intends to expand device compatibility beyond its current focus on MAC VU360 ECG workstations toward additional medical equipment and treatment facilities.

According to GE HealthCare hospitals will increasingly depend on ReadyFix as their medical facilities adopt advanced connected technologies which need support to ensure operational equipment reliability and continuous patient treatment.