Key Takeaways:

• Zopec Medical’s lightweight, long-lasting batteries support vital equipment like ventilators, offering extended backup power during outages or mobile use.
• Through US Med-Equip’s rental or purchase options, healthcare providers gain flexibility, ensuring they can tailor power solutions to their specific clinical demands.

US Med-Equip (USME) has teamed up with Zopec Medical to help hospitals power crucial medical equipment.

Flexible Access Options

Through this partnership, healthcare providers can access Zopec Medical’s batteries through US Med-Equip’s rental options or purchase them outright, giving hospitals the choice to tailor solutions to their unique needs.

“This partnership aligns with our mission to empower clinicians with the best tools to provide exceptional patient care, particularly in times of crisis,” said Greg Salario, CEO of US Med-Equip.

RELATED: US Med-Equip and Sentec Partner on Critical Respiratory Care

Portable, High-Performance Batteries

Zopec Medical’s batteries feature portability, high performance and compatibility with multiple medical devices. Their solutions are designed to be lightweight, long-lasting and easy to use, making them suitable for both stationary and mobile applications in hospital settings.

Zopec batteries are designed to provide the long-lasting backup power for medical devices during power outages or when mobility is required. These batteries support a wide range of equipment, including ventilators, infant incubators, and hypo-hyperthermia units—devices critical for saving lives.

“Partnering with US Med-Equip allows us to extend the reach of our life-saving technology to more health care providers across the country,” said Strong Huang, Zopec Medical CEO. “We’re proud to work alongside US Med-Equip in supporting hospitals with reliable solutions that make a tangible difference in patient outcomes.”

Key Takeaways:

• Reliable and Efficient Design: The system features lithium-ion batteries with longer life, higher energy density, and a compact footprint, ensuring dependable performance for critical applications.
• Simplified Deployment: Ships as a complete solution with no need for external AC power and includes Eaton’s expert support services for maximum reliability.

Eaton announced the launch of its Eaton Samsung Gen 3 lithium-ion battery system, a complete solution for data center, medical, and industrial customers seeking reliable and hassle-free battery backup.

The solution provides power for energy storage and emergency backup power for uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) to enhance the usability and reliability of critical IT infrastructure.

Addressing Emerging Power Challenges

According to Eaton, the rise of AI and cloud computing creates opportunities for IT and data center operators to rethink their power infrastructure to enhance the resiliency of critical assets. Eaton’s use of lithium-ion batteries in UPSs, featuring longer battery life and higher energy density in a smaller footprint, supports thousands of customers across diverse applications. With removable battery modules and a DC-rated circuit breaker, the Samsung Gen 3 lithium-ion battery system delivers 24/7 uptime in critical data center applications while lowering total-cost-of-ownership (TCO).

RELATED: Eaton Launches Modular PDI PowerPak 2 EX PDU

Key Features of the Samsung Gen 3 System

• Complete Shipping Solution: Ships with batteries installed, streamlining deployment.
• No External AC Power Required: Equipped with an internal battery management system to enable a DC-powered bus for easier deployment.
• Performance Guarantee: Guaranteed performance for up to 12 years with a built-in data logger for monitoring alarms and status.
• Experienced Services Team: Access to Eaton’s comprehensive portfolio of services for enhanced reliability and performance in data center environments.

Availability

The Eaton Samsung Gen 3 lithium-ion battery system is now available.

Key Takeaways:

• The PP2 EX PDU combines modular design, energy-efficient transformers, and intelligent WaveStar monitoring for enhanced flexibility and operational oversight.
• Its short lead times and 24/7 support cater to the demands of always-on data centers while reducing management overhead.

Eaton has launched the Eaton PDI PowerPak 2 EX (PP2 EX) power distribution unit (PDU), reimagined to address the need for modular, flexible power distribution. The PP2 EX PDU offers a robust solution for mid-range applications in medium, enterprise, and colocation data centers, with power ratings from 300 to 625 kVA.

Modular and Flexible Design

Built on a modular design platform, the PP2 EX PDU delivers the capabilities expected from an Eaton floor-standing PDU in a flexible solution, offering power insulation, voltage transformation, harmonic reduction, and voltage regulation. Additionally, with intelligent monitoring built in, operators can control critical loads down to the individual breaker level.

RELATED: Eaton Launches Tripp Lite Series Cloud-Connected UPS

Key Features

• Modular, flexible design:
  The PP2 EX PDU features a small footprint for mid-range applications, helping operators save valuable floor space. Its compartmentalized electrical components and True Front Access (TFA) provide safe and easy access while reducing space requirements. With configurable breaker options, solid busbar connections for enhanced reliability, and universal top/bottom entry/exit, the solution meets diverse needs while ensuring optimal performance for critical loads.
• Robust and efficient performance:
  The PP2 EX PDU incorporates an efficient, data center-grade transformer for energy savings compliance with DOE 2016 standards and is equipped with UL-recognized 240°C class insulation for improved service life. With both standard and optional circuit breaker configurations, the PDU provides enhanced protection and flexibility for a range of applications.
• Smart monitoring:
  Built-in intelligent WaveStar monitoring allows for real-time control of loads at the individual breaker level. The color touchscreen monitor provides intuitive local monitoring and integrates with Modbus SNMP or TCP/IP remote monitoring. The PP2 EX PDU is compatible with Eaton’s Power Xpert Meter 3000 series and PXR 25 smart circuit breakers, increasing configuration options.
• Enhanced product delivery and customer-centric support:
  A short lead time enables timely product delivery. With 24/7 service and support, the PP2 EX PDU meets the demands of always-on data centers. Access to sales and service support from system design throughout the data center life reduces management overhead.

The Eaton PDI PowerPak 2 EX PDU is now available.

Quite often, I hear from CE/HTM colleagues that they are having serious challenges in justifying their budgets and/or staffing levels to their hospital or client C-suite leaders. Such situations were already quite common before the COVID-19 pandemic but have become even more daunting afterward.

Benchmarking Fails to Justify Budgets

The first efforts to address those challenges focused on using benchmarking among CE/HTM teams. Unfortunately, few CE/HTM teams were willing to participate in benchmarking. Furthermore, the data submitted by those who participated were not carefully screened for accuracy and completeness, leading many C-suite leaders to distrust the comparisons. To fulfill their fiduciary duties of keeping their healthcare delivery organizations (HDOs) in good financial condition, the C-suite leaders have little choice but to squeeze the CE/HTM expenses as much as possible, since there was no other way to financially determine the value of CE/HTM.

Another attempt to help justify CE/HTM expenses was to compare CE/HTM costs (hereafter abbreviated as CEx) to HDOs’ operational expenses (OpEx). Analyzing data collected from hundreds of acute-care hospitals, researchers found that CEx typically accounts for 0.5%–2% of the respective HDO’s total OpEx, with the median being approximately 1.1%[i]

Studies have shown that HDO operating margins ranged from -10% to +5% prior to the pandemic and have been recovering slowly since then [ii]. In other words, HDO net revenue is typically in the range of 0.9 to 1.05 OpEx. So, in the example above, the 400-staffed-bed HDO’s revenue would be in the range of $504–$588 million. This means CE/HTM helps generate 81–95 times the money it spends (CEx), or the HDO earns nearly $100 for every dollar invested in CE/HTM.

Unfortunately, C-suite leaders often overlook CE/HTM’s contribution to revenue because it is indirect and dependent on many other factors. Without healthcare professionals, pharmaceuticals, disposable products, and infrastructure, reliable medical equipment alone cannot generate revenue.

Quantitative CapEx Impact Evidence

Senior HDO leaders cannot deny the critical role of CE/HTM—just look at the pandemic, when the CDC classified CE/HTM professionals as “essential workers,” making them among the first to receive the COVID vaccine. Even some previously uncooperative OEMs released service materials to onsite CE/HTM staff after realizing their field service personnel could not reach HDOs due to travel and visit restrictions. However, these facts still do not provide clear financial justification for CE/HTM.

A different approach may be needed to strengthen CE/HTM’s case for proper funding.  While the CE/HTM community often claims to extend the lifespan of medical equipment, we have rarely quantified this benefit in terms of its impact on the HDO’s capital expenditure (CapEx), likely due to the lack of quantitative evidence so far.

An analysis of extensive data—over 340,000 pieces of equipment maintained for more than 30 years[iii]—was recently completed. The study found that medical equipment can remain safe and reliable for more than twice the estimated useful life (EUL) suggested by the American Hospital Association (AHA)[iv]

Using the 400-staffed-bed HDO as an example, the total value of its medical equipment inventory is estimated to be around $110 million (2008 values adjusted for inflation), based on prior studiesⁱ.^. Assuming half of its inventory consists of diagnostic imaging and laboratory equipment, with an average of AHA EUL of roughly six years, and the other half consists of biomedical and surgical equipment, with an average of AHA EUL of approximately nine years, the annual CapEx for replacing equipment would be $15.3 million. However, if CE/HTM extends the EULs to 12 and 18 years, respectively, the CapEx would drop to $7.6 million—resulting in annual savings of $7.7 million. 

Although CEx is technically an expense, not an investment, the concept of “return on investment” (ROI) can still be used to assess the value of CE/HTM work with the following equation: ROI = (Annual CapEx Savings – CEx)/CEx

For the 400-staffed-bed HDO, the ROI would be approximately 24%, a fantastic ROI by investment standards [[v]. This ROI applies to most HDOs, regardless of size or location, unless significant variations exist in patient discharges, case mix index, or length of stay compared to typical acute-care hospitals.

In essence, we should use ROI on CapEx as the primary financial justification to counter cuts proposed by consultants and considered by C-suite leaders. We not only contribute—albeit indirectly—to patient care revenue but also save a significant portion of CapEx, which is extremely tight for most HDOs—except for a few prestigious ones with access to large donations and endowments.

Binseng Wang, ScD, CCE, fAIMBE, fACCE, is vice president of program management at Sodexo HTM. Questions and comments can be directed to 24×7 Magazine chief editor Keri Forsythe-Stephens at editor@24x7mag.com.

References:

• ⁱ Wang B, Eliason RW, Richards S, Hertzler LW, & Koenigshof S.  Clinical Engineering Benchmarking: An Analysis of American Acute Care Hospitals, J. Clin. Eng., 33:24-37, 2008.
• ⁱⁱ Definitive Healthcare. A look at hospital operating margins in the United States. Available at: https://www.definitivehc.com/resources/healthcare-insights/hospital-operating-margins-united-states.  Accessed September 25, 2024
• ⁱⁱⁱ Wang B, Rui T, Skinner S, Ayers-Comegys M, Gibson J, Williams S. Medical equipment aging: part II—impact on Lifespan. J Clin Eng. 2024;49(3):87-96.
• ^iv American Hospital Association. Estimated Useful Lives of Depreciable Hospital Assets. Chicago, IL: American Hospital Association, 2023
• ^v SmartAsset.  What’s a Good Return on Investment (ROI)? Available at: https://smartasset.com/investing/whats-a-good-return-on-investment-roi

Key Takeaways:

• The Eaton Tripp Lite UPS provides real-time monitoring and management through a cloud-based dashboard, reducing the need for frequent on-site visits.
• The UPS features easy installation, reliable battery backup, and multiple mounting options, making it a versatile and efficient solution for various applications.

Power management company Eaton announces the North American launch of its Eaton Tripp Lite series cloud-connected uninterruptible power supply (UPS), offering battery backup and surge protection. This low-maintenance UPS features cloud-enabled remote monitoring to streamline power management.

Cloud-Based Monitoring

The Eaton cloud-connected UPS includes integrated cloud-based monitoring, free for up to 10 years, allowing customers to manage and monitor a single UPS or a fleet. Using Eaton’s Brightlayer remote monitoring dashboard, users can check UPS status and battery levels in real-time via mobile app or web browser, reducing the need for frequent onsite visits.

Key Features of Eaton Tripp Lite Series Cloud-Connected UPS

• Point-and-click commissioning: The UPS features a QR code for easy installation of the mobile monitoring app on mobile devices or desktops. It includes a near field communication area for transferring network settings from an app-enabled mobile device and a USB-C port for connecting to a computer running an SSH server for command line interface (CLI) commands.
• Status monitoring: Monitor the UPS status locally with alarms and LED indicators, or remotely through a dashboard accessible on mobile devices or desktops, enabling issue resolution before downtime occurs.
• Versatile mounting options: The UPS has all inputs, outputs, communication ports, power button, and LEDs on one side for easy access. It can be placed on a desktop or floor and secured to a shelf or beam using cable ties. Keyhole slots in a 100 x 100 mm VESA pattern allow for wall mounting or attachment to the back of a monitor.
• Battery backup: Featuring a user-replaceable VRLA battery, the UPS is designed to extend service life. After an outage, the UPS will automatically restart regardless of the battery charge level, reducing the need for site visits. The low battery or fault condition audible alarm remains silent in backup mode, sounding only when imperative.

Key Takeaways:

• Flexible Financing: Capital MBS provides new flexible financing options for medical and dental equipment.
• Partnerships: Collaborations with trusted banks facilitate access to advanced technology.

Equipment finance company Capital MBS announced that it is offering new flexible financing options for the medical and dental fields. 

Importance of Advanced Medical Technology

By partnering with trusted banks, the company aims to help healthcare providers get the advanced equipment they need without big upfront costs or long waits.

As healthcare continues to evolve, having access to the latest medical technology is crucial. Capital MBS offers financing solutions that make it easier for doctors and dentists to get the tools they need to provide care.

Capital MBS Financing Offerings

• Advanced Diagnostic Tools: MRI machines, CT scanners, X-ray systems
• Surgical Instruments: State-of-the-art surgical and robotic systems
• Dental Technologies: Digital imaging systems, CAD/CAM machines, dental lasers
• Patient Care Equipment: Hospital beds, monitors, and patient management systems
• Laboratory Equipment: Analytical instruments, centrifuges, lab automation systems

To access financing options, the company offers an online application. Through the application process healthcare professionals can secure needed funding.

Key Takeaways:

• Market Growth: The medical battery market is projected to grow from $1.84 billion in 2023 to $2.97 billion by 2032.
• Demand Drivers: Aging populations and the prevalence of chronic diseases increase the need for reliable medical device batteries.
• Challenges: Labor and material shortages and ensuring battery safety pose significant challenges.

The global medical battery market reached a valuation of $1.84 billion in 2023, according to Astute Analytica, driven by increasing demand for advanced medical devices.

Market Growth Projections

Astute Analytica expects the market to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.78% from 2024 to 2032, eventually reaching a market valuation of $2.97 billion by 2032.

Drivers of Demand

The world’s aging population and the rising prevalence of chronic diseases are driving the demand for medical devices which require reliable batteries, according to Astute. In 2023, pacemaker sales reached 3.4 million units worldwide, reflecting this trend.

Chronic diseases, including heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes, respiratory conditions, and arthritis, are responsible for more than 70% of global deaths and over 87% of deaths in the United States. These conditions are the leading causes of death and disability in high-income countries and account for a significant portion of America’s $4.1 trillion health care expenses.

Importance of Portable Medical Devices

Portable ECG monitors, pulse oximeters, and blood glucose meters are crucial for tracking vital signs and health status, requiring long-lasting and compact batteries. Other portable medical devices like infusion pumps and drug delivery systems, such as insulin pumps and pain management pumps require high-energy density batteries.

The increasing demand for these portable medical devices has a positive impact on the medical battery market, according to Astute, driving the need for advanced battery technologies that prioritize safety, reliability, and longevity.

Challenges in the Market

The demand for non-implantable medical device batteries is also surging, driven by the aging population and the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases. Likewise, the shift towards home healthcare and remote monitoring is further fueling the demand for battery-powered medical devices that can be used outside of traditional healthcare settings.

With all this expected growth, the medical battery market also faces certain challenges. Shortages of labor and materials for battery production are likely to remain an issue and delays in the construction of factories to produce batteries at scale could also impact growth. There also remains the challenge of ensuring battery safety and reliability for medical applications.

By James Martin

While digital transformation has greatly enhanced the way healthcare organizations operate and care for patients, it has also put more pressure on healthcare IT managers to protect connected IT equipment against cyber threats. In 2023, U.S. hospitals experienced a record number of cyberattacks, compromising the data of over 61 million people. These attacks disrupted services and equipment, forcing some hospitals to turn away patients.

The increasingly interconnected nature of healthcare IT environments has been a catalyst for new innovations as well as the expansion of network access points. To protect these points from potential cyber threats, healthcare organizations should implement an end-to-end cybersecurity strategy that brings under-served elements like power management into the fold.

The Urgency of Power Uptime 

In hospital and healthcare environments, power management plays a critical role in supporting vital IT systems and protecting patient data from loss. Because of this, many hospitals and healthcare organizations leverage power management devices such as uninterruptible power supplies (UPSs), which provide backup power for servers and other IT equipment in the event of an outage. And many hospitals are procuring UPSs with network connectivity as they seek to manage and monitor a multitude of devices over an increasingly distributed network.

As health IT admins integrate network-connected power management equipment, however, they must take steps to protect these systems against cyber threats just like every other network endpoint. Failing to do so can leave equipment vulnerable to devastating cyberattacks, compromising everything from patient data to prescriptions and hindering a hospital’s ability to provide patient care. It can also cause millions of dollars in revenue losses, including potentially jeopardizing federal or insurance funding.

Recently, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, alongside the Department of Energy, released a public advisory on cybersecurity for connected Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPSs). This advisory emphasizes the need for organizations to implement protective measures for UPSs and all other emergency power systems against potential threats.

Certified for Cyber Protection

As the cybersecurity landscape has evolved, global standards bodies have responded in expanding their efforts to define processes and methods to certify products as secure. Global safety standards organizations, including Underwriters Laboratories (UL) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), provide important guidelines for the implementation of appropriate cybersecurity safeguards in network-connected devices. 

Deploying UPSs and rackmount power distribution units with network management cards that carry UL 2900-1 and ISA/IEC 62443-4-2 certifications in distributed environments, such as network closets, can give hospital IT teams peace of mind that their devices have built-in cybersecurity features and capabilities to better protect infrastructure against breaches.

The latest network management cards provide IT teams with a combination of capabilities for enhanced management and cybersecurity. By merging zero-trust architecture with powerful automation and remote and onsite management tools, these solutions can help boost the performance and uptime of critical business systems. Incorporating zero-touch provisioning will also help to ensure that timely network updates are configured automatically—a huge timesaver with large-scale deployments.

As hospital IT administrators manage more connected UPSs over their network, many will seek to execute remote firmware updates to keep their devices up to date with the latest features. Users should look for power devices that require cryptographic signature checks to update firmware to avoid cybersecurity risks. Operators should work with vendors that offer 24/7 monitoring across converged IT/operational technology environments as this can help add an extra layer of protection and visibility for critical infrastructure.

Stay Ahead of the Curve 

Healthcare IT admins should also use cybersecurity best practices with connected power management devices just as they would other components within their IT infrastructure. This includes using firewall and industrial security solutions as well as encrypting information; conducting routine security assessments; regularly updating antivirus software and antispyware; using advanced email filtering; establishing powerful password policies and end-point protection; and offering employees cybersecurity awareness training.

Physical security shouldn’t be overlooked as IT managers seek to round out their overarching strategy for protection. Using smart security locks on IT racks can help ensure that only authorized personnel have access to IT equipment. Additionally, as the proliferation of smart, connected devices link together more elements of IT operations in distributed networks, it will be helpful to partner with technology and solutions providers that demonstrate an ongoing cybersecurity commitment.

Advance with Confidence 

As digital transformation continues, cybersecurity risks will only grow with threat actors taking aim at once inconspicuous devices like those in the power management space. However, by taking an end-to-end approach to cybersecurity, IT managers can ensure that they will remain in the best position for protection. With a commitment to safeguard each network endpoint, healthcare organizations will be ready to stand strong against new threats that emerge in the changing cybersecurity landscape. 

James Martin is a global product manager at Eaton. Questions and comments can be directed to editor@24x7mag.com.

Eaton’s SmartRack modular data centers can be deployed in a matter of days in facilities such as enterprise or colocation data centers, manufacturing facilities and warehouses.

Eaton’s SmartRack modular data centers combine IT rack, cooling and service enclosures to create an optimized data center solution designed for critical IT equipment with up to 150 kW of equipment load. Featuring transportable and durable modular enclosures, Eaton’s SmartRack modular data centers can be sized, configured, commissioned and deployed rapidly to meet a diverse set of requirements.

“The race is on as the rapid growth of AI and edge computing increases the demand for small data centers with shorter development cycles, lower costs and optimized capacity,” said Jose Medina, product manager, Eaton. “While deploying new data centers has traditionally been a costly and time-intensive effort, we’ve simplified the process with an innovative solution operators can have up and running in days, not weeks or months.”

The solution is compatible with:

• Eaton’s SmartRack in-row precision cooling system
• PDUs
• Single-phase and three-phase UPSs
• Cables, KVMs and cable management accessories
• Eaton’s Brightlayer Data Centers suite for remote management and monitoring of cooling, UPSs, PDUs and other critical components

Eaton’s SmartRack modular data centers are available in 13 standard configurations that ship pre-built with in-row cooling units pre-installed. If a custom configuration is required, Eaton’s pre-sales engineering team will provide support for those configurations.

Built to operate in areas with uncontrolled temperature or humidity, the Eaton Tripp Lite series standby UPS offers durable construction, automatic restart after an outage, and a variety of mounting options.

Key features of the standby UPS include:

• Simple operation: Plug into a properly grounded outlet, press the power button and connect equipment. Input cord, outlets, power button and LEDs are all on the same side.
• Reliable, low-maintenance battery backup: The UPS switches to battery power during blackouts and brownouts to keep connected equipment running and allow time for saving critical data. The UPS automatically restarts when AC power is restored after an outage, reducing the need for onsite visits.
• Low-profile, compact design with versatile deployment options: Suitable for desktop and floor placement. Keyhole slots on the bottom of the UPS are spaced in a 100 x 100 mm VESA pattern for mounting on a wall, under a desk or to the back of a monitor. Attachment points for user-supplied cable ties support securing the UPS to a shelf or beam.
• Effective surge protection and line noise filtering: Protects connected devices from the harmful effects of power surges while also filtering electromagnetic and radio frequency interferences, safeguarding devices from hardware damage and data loss.
• Durable construction: Hardened housing with an operating temperature range of 32° to 122° F offers longer UPS life in locations with uncontrolled temperature and humidity.
• User-replaceable battery for extended UPS service life: Smaller VRLA battery helps keep the UPS small and cost-effective in applications where long runtimes are not needed.

Available in three models, the standby UPS is a versatile battery backup for SMBs and retail enterprises. The Eaton Tripp Lite series standby UPS is now available.