Author Guidelines
BIOMEDICAL INSTRUMENTATION & TECHNOLOGY (BI&T) is the journal of the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation. This bimonthly, peer-reviewed publication is dedicated to the developers, managers, and users of medical instrumentation and technology. Its objective is to provide information on the research, development, evaluation, acquisition, management, maintenance, and use of medical instrumentation and technology and to advance the safety, efficacy, quality, and cost-effectiveness of medical instrumentation and technology.
The editors recognize the diverse interests of the developers, managers, and users of instrumentation and technology and encourage them to use the journal as a forum to share their opinions, concerns, findings, and ideas with others in the field. In addition to submitting manuscripts, readers are encouraged to contribute to the columns of the journal and send letters of comment, and suggest ideas for future issues. Please note that BI&T reserves the right to edit, augment, modify, or otherwise revise the article after it has been accepted.
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Original research. Innovations in medical instrumentation technology relating to patient care and new approaches to and perspectives on enhancing the safety, efficacy, quality, and reliability of medical equipment, or the application of engineering approaches to biological, physiological, or medical problems. (See Guidelines for Peer-Review Articles.)
Management. Departmental and staff management issues, such as productivity and cost-effectiveness; quality assurance; staff supervision; interpersonal and administrative communications; and equipment evaluation, procurement, and inventory control practices. (See Guidelines for Peer-Review Articles.)
Technology. Practical information relating to equipment design, maintenance, and repair, including updates on new technology; approaches to on-the-job problems and procedures; new roles and opportunities; environmental and device safety concerns; legal liability issues; and standards, codes, and regulations. (See Guidelines for Peer-Review Articles.)>
Professional issues. Research, information, resources, and opportunities of interest to the biomedical and clinical engineering professional, encompassing trends within the profession, continuing education, certification, expanding roles, and career advancement. (See Guidelines for BI&T Columns.)
GUIDELINES FOR PEER-REVIEW ARTICLES
The manuscript and articles (including footnotes, references, figure legends, and tables) should be typed double-spaced.
Manuscripts should include in sequence the following sections:
- Title page, including author identification information; a list of the authors; their principal degrees, affiliations, addresses, and phone numbers; and name of one author who will respond to reprint requests
- Abstract containing 150 to 200 words
- Text
- References (see References guide below)
- Tables*
- Figures and figure legends*
*Editor reserves the right to limit number of tables and figures due to space constraints.
Manuscripts and articles should also include a brief paragraph of autobiographical information describing degrees and certification, education, employment, professional interests, achievements, and affiliations.
BI&T columns range from 800 to 2,400 words. Contact the editor, Susan Gillespie , for deadlines, topics, and other questions you may have about contributing to the journal. BI&T's columns include:
BMET Resource File is designed to arm biomedical equipment technicians with up-to-date and practical information. The articles are intended to provide technicians with a step-by-step guide to help them better perform their jobs, and introduce them to new trends and technologies directly related to the field.
Career Center provides guidance to medical technology professionals on ways to enhance and manage their careers.
Clinical Engineering Management presents views of clinical engineers and biomedical equipment technicians on a variety of issues of interest to the field. It can also be a forum for those who have opinions and ideas on a clinical engineering issue.
Final Word allows readers to share their opinions
on trends, ongoing challenges, and accomplishments of the
field.
Inside Certification is designed to help medical technology
professionals better prepare for certification exams.
IT World offers IT tutorials specifically designed to meet the needs of biomedical professionals.
Joint Commission News & Views is aimed at helping medical
technology professionals understand Environment of Care and
other standards, achieve National Patient Safety Goals, and
establish their roles in organization-wide compliance and
ongoing readiness. This column highlights new requirements,
with explanations from Joint Commission staff, as well as advice from
experts on how to meet requirements comprehensively and efficiently.
Patient Safety Focus examines patient-safety related
issues in the medical technology field. The articles are geared
toward analyzing safety performance by highlighting the importance
of identifying factors that enhance patient safety.
Quality Matters focuses on regulatory affairs and quality assurance issues facing the medical device industry.
Reader Forum is BI&T's "Letter to the Editor," allowing readers to share their views and/or questions regarding peer-review articles and BI&T columns.
Standards & Regulatory Watch highlights proposed changes and new standards and regulatory issues affecting the medical device industry.
Sterilization Notebook offers guidance and resources for both sterilization professionals and others in the medical technology field.
The Fundamentals of … explores a specific classification of medical device in each issue. The article should cover the device's clinical purpose, function, potential problems, and troubleshooting and training guidance.
The Reading Room provides a review of a book or publication that biomedical professionals use to update and guide them on the latest technology, trends, standards updates, etc.
Troubleshoot It provides guidelines on maintaining and repairing a variety of medical devices.
View from the Top profiles healthcare executives.
The following guidelines apply to both peer-review submissions and BI&T columns.
Only commonly used terms and units of measurement should be abbreviated. If possible, they should be spelled out at first mention, followed by the abbreviation in parentheses, and abbreviated thereafter.
Manuscripts should focus on technology, and not refer to specific products or companies. If mention of a specific product is important in the context of the article, it should be accompanied by the generic term and identification of the manufacturer.
Tables and figures. Each table should be submitted on a separate sheet and titled at the top. If a table does not consist entirely of original material, its source should be listed in a note. A table that duplicates copyrighted material must be accompanied by a written statement from the source giving permission for reproduction.
Line drawings, photographs, and other forms of illustration are considered to be figures. High-resolution 300 dpi photos are preferred. If a photograph depicts an identifiable individual, written permission for use must be obtained. A figure that duplicates copyrighted material must be accompanied by a written statement from the source granting permission for use. Explanatory legends describing the content of figures should be submitted on a separate sheet, and should elaborate on rather than duplicate the text.
Both tables and figures should be numbered consecutively and cited in sequence in the text.
Line drawings must be at least 1200 dpi. Photographs and other types of graphics must be at least 300 dpi, and submitted in either a .tif or.eps format. Color graphics are encouraged. We also accept camera-ready prints of photographs and other types of graphics.
If graphics along with the text exceed 6MB, the file must be compressed in a zip file.
Formulas and equations. Each equation should be placed on a separate line, and numbered only when referred to elsewhere in the text. Fractions should be shown with a solidus (/) whenever possible. Decimal fractions should include an appropriate zero (0.75, not .75).
Headings and subheadings. Headings, and, if necessary, subheadings, should be used throughout the text to delineate key topics and enhance article readability.
References. The order of cited references should be the order of citation, numbered consecutively.
Bibliographic reference lists should be arranged alphabetically by author. The following formats should be used:
- Journal articles.
You CH, Lee KY, Chey WY, Menguy R. Electrogastrographic study of patients. Gastroenterology. 1980;79:311-4. - Books.
Eisen HN. Immunology: an introduction to molecular and cellular principles of the immune response. 5th ed. New York: Harper and Row, 1994;406.
Weinstein I, Swartz MN. Pathogenic properties of invading microorganisms. In: Sodeman WA Jr, Sodeman WA, eds. Pathologic physiology: mechanisms of disease. Philadelphia: W. B. Saunders, 1994;457-72. - Article in book.
Matthay RA. Chronic airway disease. In: Wyngaarden JB, Smith LH, eds. Cecil Textbook of Medicine. 18th ed. Philadelphia, PA: WB Saunders; 1988:410-419. - Dissertation.
Youssef NM. School Adjustment of Children with Congenital Heart Disease [dissertation]. - Government publications.
US Bureau of the Census. Statistical Abstract of the United States: 1993.113th ed. Washington, DC:US Bureau of the Census; 1993. - URLs.
Health Care Financing Administration. 1996 statistics at a glance. Available at: http://www.hcfa.gov/stats. Accessed December 2, 1996. - Conference proceedings.
Vivian VL, ed. Child abuse and neglect: A medical community response. Proceedings of the First AMA National Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect. March 30-31, 1984; Chicago, IL. Chicago, IL: American Medical Association; 1985. - Paper presentation.
Eisenberg J. Market forces and physical workforce reform: why they may not work. Paper presented at: Annual Meeting of the Association of American Medical Colleges; October 28, 1995; Washington, DC.
BI&T accepts manuscripts that are original and have not been published previously. Manuscripts submitted to BI&T for review must not be under consideration for publication in other magazines and journals.
ASSIGNMENT OF COPYRIGHT
All articles published in BI&T are copyrighted by the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) and may not be published elsewhere without written permission from AAMI or the publisher, Allen Press, Inc. Each author must sign a copyright transfer form upon acceptance of a manuscript for publication. Authors retain the right to reuse all or portions of the published article in other works.
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL INTEREST
Each author must identify any
financial affiliation with any company, product, or service
discussed in the manuscript.
REVIEW, EDITING, AND PRODUCTION
Manuscripts are acknowledged
upon receipt They are reviewed by peers, and authors usually
are notified of their status within six to ten weeks. Articles
are edited and assigned to issues based on timeliness and
order of submission, unless prior arrangement has been made
for contribution to a specific issue. Authors must respond
to editorial queries and review comments within a specific
time period. PDF proofs are provided for final review.
Each author receives one complimentary
copy of the publication. Article reprints may be ordered from
the publisher, Allen Press,
Inc.
Send via e-mail or regular mail one copy of your typed, double-spaced manuscript (including figures and photocopies of figures).
Susan Gillespie, Managing Editor
Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation
1110 North Glebe Road, Suite 220
Arlington, VA 22201-4795
sgillespie@aami.org
