Nonprofit health care organization ECRI Institute has announced its recent purchase of the popular Biomedtalk Listserv and the discontinuation of the membership fee.

ECRI began operating the listserv in March. Since the changeover, membership has swelled by more than 100 to 1,700 members plus from more than 13 countries.

Founded in 1997 by Mike Kauffman, assistant director of facilities for the Reading Hospital and Medical Center in Reading, Pa, Biomedtalk has become an active forum for discussion among biomeds and clinical engineers.

In addition to biomeds, the listserv also has representation from independent service organizations and manufacturers, the FDA, the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI), and The Joint Commission. 

Read a recent conversation with founder Mike Kauffman on 24×7‘s Best Practices blog.