ABSTRACT
Americanmedicinehasdefinedthecuttingedgeinmostfieldsofclinicalresearch,training,andpractice,andengineershavemademanyimportantcontributionstoimprovementsinmedicaldevices,new sensors,newdiagnosticdevices,andnewmaterials.Ongoingchangesinbioengineeringandgenomics andthepromiseofquantumadvancesindiagnostictoolsandtherapiestestifytothecontinuedvitality ofthepartnershipbetweenmedicineandengineering.Nevertheless,instarkcontrasttothesesuccesses, therehasbeenrelativelylittletechnicaltalentormaterialresourcesdevotedtoimprovingoroptimizing operationsormeasuringthequalityandproductivityoftheoverallhealthcaresystem.Infact,engineers have contributed only marginally to improvements in the operations of healthcare delivery.
