An understanding of Risk Management and Analysis for Medical Device Manufacturers

Risk management and analysis for medical device manufacturers is an essential set of approaches to quality in the field of medical devices. Implementing these is of absolute importance and criticality to the field, as the products in this industry are high-specialty ones that deal with human lives. A small error at any stage can send the product, and with it, the reputation of the manufacturer and even the healthcare provider, into a tailspin.
From its beginnings a few decades ago as a “nice to have” feature or discipline that used to come into the picture only when there were issues; quality has grown into an indispensable element of a medical device product. A medical device product into which quality does not get intertwined at every stage, right from procurement of the raw material to the use it is put to by the consumer and beyond, is unthinkable today.
The primary driver of this metamorphosis is risk management. Risk management and analysis for medical device manufacturers has been the lynchpin among the agents of change brought about into this field. Quality has evolved as a result of the change in the import regime in the US in the seventies, when products from around the world used to deluge the US market.
the consequences of this trade policy have led to the emergence of the creation of quality approaches such as Six Sigma and kaizen among many others, and global standards, of which ISO 14971 specifically relates to Quality Management Systems and methods for medical devices. Root Cause Analysis is at the root of each of these methodologies and standards.
So, what is risk management and analysis for medical device manufacturers?
In the context of medical devices, risk management and analysis for medical device manufacturers means applying a set of processes, policies, methods and practices into their manufacturing systems in alignment with respective and relevant standards as set out by global standards such as the ISO. The aim of these standards and practices is to analyze, assess, control and monitor risk. The ISO 14971 has been revised many times and each time this is done, the latest one becomes the extant version. This and other standards and practices prescribe steps and processes that need to be implemented at all stages of the product lifecycle.

The need for risk management and analysis for medical device manufacturersThe need for risk management and analysis for medical device manufacturers is simple: To ensure that the medical device meets quality requirements and is manufactured according to standards and specifications and methods prescribed in these standards. Standards such as ISO 13485, various Quality Systems Regulations (QSRs) such as 21 CFR 820 and a few European standards work in tandem with ISO 14971. The core purpose of requiring medical devices manufacturers to meet these requirements is to ensure that safety and quality are built into a medical device from start to finish. The time at which to carry out risk management and analysis for medical device manufacturers
Risk management and analysis for medical device manufacturers is to be carried throughout the lifecycle of the medical device. A set purpose is set out at each stage of the manufacturing process. For example, medical device manufacturers are required to identify and eliminate potential hazards at the initial stage using the concepts of product optimization, and use the principles of risk elimination at all the next stages, and to use the methods prescribed during a product recall.
The ways of carrying out risk management and analysis for medical device manufacturersThe ways by which risk management and analysis for medical device manufacturers are to be exercised form an important part of quality. The ISO 14971 standard is pretty flexible in this regard, allowing the manufacturer to adapt any existing standard or approach that he thinks is best suited for his organization.

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Design of Experiments (DoE) for Process Development and Validation

Design of Experiments (DoE) is a very important process development and validation component in several kinds of industries. DoE for process development and validation involves carrying out a number of tests recurrently and steadily over a period of time. Its responses are then observed.

DoE is important for process development and validation as it offers an understanding of the predictability and reproducibility of an experiment. Fundamentally, Design of Experiments for process development and validation seeks to rule out fluke or chance in the methods needed for bringing about control for a product.

DoE in medical devices

In the area of medical devices, guidelines for Design of Experiments for process development and validation are set out in the Global Harmonization Task Force (GHTF) Process Validation Guidance for Medical Device Manufacturers. This document offers guidance in the area of Design of Experiments for process development and validation by suggesting the exact areas in which design of experiments should be applied during Process Validation.

The GHTF guidance also suggests the use of both screening and response surface designs during Operational Qualification. It further requires Design of Experiments for process development and validation to be used during various phases of design controls. These include:

o  Design and development planning

o  Design verification

o  Design validation

o  Design transfer

o  Design changes.

Get a full understanding of Design of Experiments for process development and validation

The ways of approaching Design of Experiments for process development and validation will be topic of a two-day seminar that is being organized by GlobalCompliancePanel, a highly respected provider of professional trainings for the areas of regulatory compliance.

Jim Wisnowski, who is the cofounder of Adsurgo LLC and co-author of the book Design and Analysis of Experiments by Douglas Montgomery: A Supplement for using JMP, will be the Director at this seminar. In order to gain a full understanding of the principles and application of Design of Experiments for process development and validation; please register for this seminar by visiting Design of Experiments (DoE) for Process Development and Validation

This seminar has been pre-approved by RAPS as eligible for up to 12 credits towards a participant's RAC recertification upon full completion.

All about Design of Experiments for process development and validation

This seminar will offer total and all-round understanding of all the aspects of Design of Experiments for process development and validation.

Process development studies need to be completed before a process control plan is developed as part of an overall risk management strategy. These process development studies help gain knowledge and understanding about the impact of variation in process parameters on the variation in the product quality characteristics of the product.

An explanation of the methods used

The methodology of Design of Experiments for process development and validation offers a means for identifying process parameters, which impact product quality (critical process parameters) and determine the functional relationship that links the process parameters to those critical quality attributes.

Design of Experiments for process development and validation uses screening designs such as 2k factorial and D-optimal designs to determine critical process parameters. Design of Experiments for process development and validation use response surface designs, such as Central Composite Designs (CCDs) and I-optimal designs for fashioning the functional relationship between those critical process parameters and the critical quality attributes.

A primer on statistical analysis

This seminar on Design of Experiments for process development and validation will present a primer on statistical analysis, during which it will focus on the methods required for analysis of designed experiments. Jim will then move on to the steps to a proper DoE, during the process of which he will demonstrate the nature and uses of important risk management tools such as Ishikawa and FMEA, which can be used pre and post DOE studies.

The Director will also teach how to generate and analyze multiple screening and response surface designs, and why and how each are used. After teaching participants how to present the results, Jim will explain how to update the risk management tools using the results of the studies.

This session on Design of Experiments for process development and validation will cover the following areas:

o  Identify critical quality attributes (CQAs) that will be used as responses in your designs

o  Utilize risk management tools to identify and prioritize potential critical process parameters

o  Identify critical process parameters and develop a functional relationship between those process parameters and your critical-to-quality attributes (CQAs) using both screening and response surface designs

o  Be able to design and analyze screening designs including a factorial, fractional factorial, and D-optimal design

o  Understand the need for adding center points to a design

o  Be able to design and analyze response surface designs including central composite designs (CCDs), Box-Behnken designs, and I-optimal designs

o  Present results of DOE studies

o  Use systematic understanding from DOE studies to update the control plan that is part of the overall risk management plan.

An understanding of HIPAA upcoming changes for 2016

Professionals at various levels of the healthcare industry need to have a grasp of the HIPAA Security/Privacy Rule and the way it relates to their practice or business. A two-day, in person, live seminar being organized by GlobalCompliancePanel, a leading provider of professional trainings for the regulatory compliance areas, will offer this very important understanding.

Brian Tuttle, a Certified Professional in Health IT (CPHIT), Certified HIPAA Professional (CHP), and Certified Business Resilience Auditor (CBRA) , who brings over 15 years’ experience in Health IT and Compliance Consulting, will be the speaker at this seminar. Please log on to http://www.globalcompliancepanel.com/control/globalseminars/~product_id=900727SEMINAR to enroll for this highly educative session.

A host of areas relating to HIPAA and changes for 2016

Among the areas that Brian will take up are the changes under the Omnibus Rule and any other applicable updates for HIPAA for 2016. There are an enormous amount of issues and risks that Covered Entities and Business Associates these days. He will also dwell upon other aspects of HIPAA, such as:

o   The history of HIPAA

o   Privacy vs. security,

o   Business Associates,

o   Changes for 2016

o   Audit process

o   Paper-based PHI

o   HIPAA and suing

o   Texting

o   Email

o   Encryption

o   Medical messaging

o   Voice data, and lots more.

Myths vs. realities of HIPAA

Essentially, Brian will explain myths versus reality as it relates to this very enigmatic law, and this clarification will be based on over 1000 risk assessments he has performed during the many years of experience he gained in dealing directly with the Office of Civil Rights HIPAA auditors during his career.

Understanding the risk factors for being sued for wrongful disclosures

He will also speak of real life audits conducted by the Federal government and help participants understand what their highest risks are for being fined. He will discuss the highest risk factors for being sued for wrongful disclosures of PHI and the manner in which patients are now using State laws to sue for wrongful disclosures.

He will offer an explanation of the multiple litigated cases that he has been a part of involving HIPAA situations. He will also thoroughly explain how patients are now able to get cash remedies for wrongful disclosures of private health information and demonstrate how to limit those risks by simply taking proactive steps and utilizing best practices.

Brian will cover the following areas at this seminar:

o   History of HIPAA

o   HITECH

o   HIPAA Omnibus Rule

o   How to perform a HIPAA Security Risk Assessment

o   What is involved in a Federal audit and how is it conducted

o   Risk factors for a federal audit

o   EHR and HIPAA

o   Business Continuity/Disaster Recovery Planning

o   Business Associates and HIPAA

o   In depth discussions on IT down to the nuts and bolts

o   BYOD

o   Risk factors that can cause an audit (low hanging fruit)

o   New rules which grant states ability to sue citing HIPAA on behalf of a patient

o   New funding measures.

Ways of conducting a hassle-free internal and supplier audit for medical devices

Carrying out efficient and effective internal and supplier audits that meet all the requirements of external auditors is a must for medical device manufacturers. These audits should not only serve this purpose; they should also add value to the medical device organization.

Part of both ISO 13485 and QMS

Internal audits are required as part of ISO 13485 and the FDA’s Quality System Regulation (QMS). However, these procedures are quite complicated for many professionals in the medical device industry.  They are often confusing and cumbersome, mainly because of the jargon and regulatory language they contain. Many organizations find it difficult to get the import of these words while wading through them all the way to a successful internal audit.

A tad complicated

Another couple of complicating factors come into play: Since the FDA does not look at the content of internal audits; many medical device organizations do not get feedback on the true effectiveness of their internal audit system from the FDA during the time of FDA inspections.

Secondly, while on the other hand ISO 13485 auditors do look at internal audits; they are most concerned with the process. For them, a proper definition of a process that meets the requirements of the standard and the assurance that the company is following these are more important than anything else. 

Auditor training is necessary

Both these regulations require that the medical device manufacturer define Auditor training. But there is a catch, because auditor training sometimes just requires reading the company's procedure, while most external auditors will look for more than this.

How does a medical device company extricate itself out of this quagmire? The solution to all these vexing questions will be offered at a two-day seminar from GlobalCompliancePanel, a globally known provider of regulatory compliance trainings.

At this seminar to enroll for which you need to just log on to http://www.globalcompliancepanel.com/control/globalseminars/~product_id=900601SEMINAR; the Director, Betty Lane, who is Founder and President, Be Quality Associates, LLC, will explain all the issues relating to these aspects of external and internal supplier audits, in a way that is comprehensible and easy to implement.

In the process of explaining what makes for efficient and effective internal and supplier quality systems auditing for medical devices; she will also offer an explanation of best practices for creating and managing a value-added auditing process that will meet both company business needs and regulatory requirements.

At this seminar, which has been pre-approved by RAPS as eligible for up to 12 credits towards a participant's RAC recertification upon full completion; Betty will get participants to review all the quality management system requirements of FDA and ISO 13485 and then allow them to learn how to set up and manage an audit system that complies with these requirements, yet is risk-based so that their organization makes the most efficient use of auditing resources for both internal and supplier audits.

She will also include interactive exercises at this two-day session, which will help to strengthen the fundamentals of conducting and documenting quality system audits. The auditing principles taught in this seminar will be based on ISO 19011:2011 Guidelines for auditing management systems. 

Assessment-based prediction is an effective tool for hiring the right candidate

Undoubtedly, hiring should rate as being among the most important activities for an organization. This is so because it is through this process that the organization takes in its most important resource people. At the time of hiring, as well as while considering promoting, HR and the other important decision makers need to make up their mind by asking critical questions with which to make predictions about a potential hire. These questions could relate to how well the resource can perform in the assigned role, for how long the resource could stay in the organization, and making an assessment about the person’s ability to handle more responsibilities.

Not all HR and other hiring managers could be right all the time in predicting the outcomes of their actions about a candidate; yet, a good understanding of principles of assessing the candidate, combined with proper preparation and inculcation of a little disciple will go a long way in helping them become more accurate in their predictions. When the hiring managers are not too way off their mark in predicting the attributes of a useful hire, they are more likely to get a better candidate and avoid much of the unpleasantness that a bad hire can cause.

Learn the art of predicting the usefulness and relevance of a candidate

It is to equip participants with the tools needed to design a process for selecting and promoting for any position across any industry that a two-day, in person seminar is being organized by GlobalCompliancePanel, a leading provider of professional trainings for the areas of regulatory compliance. Harry Brull, who is President, Laurdan Associates, Inc. and Co-Founder of BCG Consulting Group, will be this seminar’s Director.

To get an understanding of how to get the right insight into a selection process that is relatively error-free and effective, just log on to http://www.globalcompliancepanel.com/control/globalseminars/~product_id=900717SEMINAR to register.  

Insights into getting the hiring and promoting process right

At this seminar, Harry will explore the use of standardized instruments in designing and using simulations for maximizing return on references. This is in addition to the most often-used selection tool, the pre-employment interview.

He will also discuss other important areas of the hiring process, like defensibility and avoiding complaints from unsuccessful applicants, ways of judging a candidate’s interpersonal skills, other capabilities and motivators, and other factors which determine whether there is a good fit between the individual, the position, and the organization.

In addition, Harry will also look at adding other selection tools such as testing and simulations (job samples) to the selection tool mix, which can greatly improve prediction accuracy and provide an alternative view of candidate skills, and techniques which improve the usefulness of reference information, including eliciting vital information from sometimes reluctant sources.

Harry will cover the following areas at this seminar:

o   The big-picture look at selection/promotion

o   How to analyze position and organizational requirements

o   Effective recruiting

o   Designing and using screening tools

o   How to design and conduct high-yield interviews

o   Adding testing and simulations to the selection toolbox

o   Avoiding legal problems

o   Maximizing return on reference inquiries

o   Putting it all together - designing a selection process. 

New Way of Exploring Economic Environment

Lineament analysis in geological exploration

The existence of efficient and cost-effective methods that help to identify prospective targets that are related to or are influenced by tectonic structures is not common knowledge among professionals in the field of geological exploration.

The right sampling and Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) procedures are essential in all aspects of the mineral deposit evaluation process to achieve the best possible confidence in resultant mineral resource and reserve estimates.

Getting Quality Assurance and Quality Control procedures and protocols right is crucial

Accurate and proper QA and QC procedures and protocols are essential to ensure that data collected and created by the mining organization is of a high level of quality and is in compliance with CIM Standards and Guidelines. Geological quality control procedures are meant to monitor precision and accuracy of the assay data, as well as possible sample contamination during sample preparation and assaying. The quality of the data used determines the quality of an estimate.

To offer a complete understanding of this concept, GlobalCompliancePanel, a reputable provider of professional trainings for all areas of regulatory compliance, will be organizing a two-day, live seminar. Please visit http://www.globalcompliancepanel.com/control/globalseminars/~product_id=900719SEMINAR?new-economic-environment-Boston-MA.

The Director of this seminar, Ricardo Valls, will introduce to the participants a methodology that will help them to concentrate their exploration efforts even over new areas with limited or nonexistent geological information, while keeping their budget in check.

The centrality of QA&QC procedures

Ricardo will explain how lineament and satellite interpretation are a way to define where to concentrate exploration efforts, as well as how to implement QA&QC procedures to guarantee the quality of the collected data. This is necessary, considering that compliance with the industry-established QA/QC is no longer an option, but a necessity for all the companies to implement, especially those that trade in the markets. Quality assurance is essentially the management system that operates to ensure credible results. The prime objective of the field QA program is to maximize accuracy by reducing introduced variability.

The learning will be gleaned from a quality assurance program that the Director has implemented for the field sampling procedures. This includes collection, labeling, and shipping components. The quality control component of this system is a set of activities intended to control the quality of the data from collection through to analysis. It consists of day-to-day activities such as:

o   The adherence to written protocols; up-to-date and suitable training of personnel

o   The use of reliable laboratories with excellent QA&QC systems in place

o   The regular use of quality control (QC) samples (blanks, standard samples, and field duplicates)

o   Diligent record keeping.

Ricardo will cover the following areas at this seminar:

o   History of the problem, why we need to change the current approach

o   Lineament analysis

o   Lineament analysis and satellite interpretation of data

o   Physical modeling (3D strain analysis and 3D stress analysis)

o   Statistical procedures (Compositional data analysis, correlation analysis, principal component and other methods)

o   Defining a QA/QC program, Blanks, duplicates, standards, external controls

o   Procedures and audits

o   Rock naming in the field

o   Conclusions and recommendations.