From Medscape Pediatrics
Highlights of PAS 2008: Pediatric Academic Societies and Asian Society for Pediatric Research Joint Meeting
Amy L Baxter, MD
Posted: 06/26/2008
Finally, concurrent with the move away from paper and toward recording medical data with electrons and pixels, one study evaluated the impact of electromagnetic interference (EMI) and fields on medical equipment.
If you've ever been frustrated because your cell phone doesn't work in a hospital, the study authors explained that towers are intentionally pointed away to avoid EMI interference.
This causes cell phones to power up to locate the nearest transponders, running down batteries and resulting in more EMI effects on the local machines.
The objective of this study was to determine whether EMI from known electromagnetic generating sources, such as cell phones, affected ED equipment.
Investigators took 7 wireless communication systems (1 analog cellular, 4 digital cellular, 1 BlackBerry, and 1 Bluetooth) and exposed 49 medical devices to their fields.
WLAN and Bluetooth systems did not cause any EMI, and the 27 medical devices compliant with IEC 606010102:2004 Edition 2.1 were not affected by any phone.
Of noncompliant machinery, cell phones and BlackBerry affected 5 medical devices at close distances (2-45 cm). An analog phone increased the temperature of 1 incubator, reduced the rate of 1 ventilator, and distorted the waveform of 1 electrocardiographic (ECG) monitor. Digital phones affected the same incubator and ventilator, 2 other ECG monitors, and a BlackBerry increased the temperature reading of the same incubator.
The 2-way radio system (GMRS/FRS systems, often carried by emergency medical services providers) caused 9 medical devices to malfunction at distances from 5 to 80 cm, including ceasing operation of one older ventilator and reducing the pressure of a newer oscillator. The study authors recommended adherence to 1 m for cell phones and BlackBerries and 3 m for 2-way radios.
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