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Cell Phones May Interfere With Medical Devices

Wed, 04/04/2001 - 11:00pm — Karen Stevenson
Description: 

A study by Mayo Clinic researchers studied whether cellular telephones interfered with the operation of external devices that monitor the heart and lungs. Researchers found that when the cell phone was 5 feet or more away from medical devices, it did not appear to have any impact, but closer proximity created problems with some devices. Cell phone-related interference was seen in the electrocardiographic (ECG) tracings displayed on the physiologic monitor when a cell phone was 6 to 33 inches from the monitor, and when the phones were held two inches away from a communication port on the back of the ventilator, the ventilator shut down and restarted. They suggest that hospitals might be wise to restrict cell phone use in places like the ICU, but that such restrictions may not be necessary in all areas of the hospital. They don't address the use of medical devices in homes and other settings, but the same issues would certainly apply.

A study by Mayo Clinic researchers studied whether cellular telephones interfered with the operation of external devices that monitor the heart and lungs. Researchers found that when the cell phone was 5 feet or more away from medical devices, it did not appear to have any impact, but closer proximity created problems with some devices. Cell phone-related interference was seen in the electrocardiographic (ECG) tracings displayed on the physiologic monitor when a cell phone was 6 to 33 inches from the monitor, and when the phones were held two inches away from a communication port on the back of the ventilator, the ventilator shut down and restarted. They suggest that hospitals might be wise to restrict cell phone use in places like the ICU, but that such restrictions may not be necessary in all areas of the hospital. They don't address the use of medical devices in homes and other settings, but the same issues would certainly apply.