The META Scholar Volume 2 | Page 33

Med Equipment & Diagnosis Page 33 TMS Gastro Reflux Cont. Fig 2. Illustration by Hyacinth H. Martin Nursing. Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease and some various inflammation, irritation, or swelling of the esophagus. Esophagitis, Erosive Esophagitis [tissue damage in the esophagus over time ], Diaphragm, and Lower esophageal sphincter fails to close sufficiently all a cause from acid reflux disease. [speech impairment], and/or eructation [belching] (fig. 2). A qualified physician may perform tests and procedures used to diagnose GERD, including: 1) barium swallow or upper GI series, 2) an endoscopy procedure using an endoscopic device to visually examine the inside of your esophagus, 3) Ambulatory acid (pH) probe tests, and/or 4) a Esophageal motility test. A Biomed must know what they are servicing and understand “the why” portion of it—device theory. This is how you will become a go-to person and an effective technician/engineer to the healthcare organization. It takes you to truly understand -the physiology, -the physics, -the medical device, and –the how to from clinical manifestations to device errors that indicate to technicians/engineers how effective we can be at troubleshooting these medical devices. BMETs and Clinical Engineers often service these endoscopes to ensure there are no air leaks or water intrusions within the channels and fiber optics before patient procedures. Knowing you have a GERD problem is sometimes not enough. Understanding and performing a true root cause analysis is what wins the fight as well as having a working endoscope included in that mathematical equation. References: 1. Scubert ML, Kaunitz JD. Gastric secretion. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease . 9th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2010: chap 49. 2. Black, Joyce M., Hawnks, Jane H., Medical-Surgical Nursing: Clinical Management & Outcomes. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 8th ed. 2009: chap 33. (Continued) A flexible endoscope