Effects of mobile phone use on specific intensive care unit devices

Abstract

Background and Aims:To observe the effects of mobile phone use in the vicinity of medical devices used in a critical care setting.Subjects and Methods:Electromagnetic interference (EMI) was tested by using two types of mobile phones – GSM and CDMA. Mobile phones were placed at a distance of one foot from three medical devices – syringe pump, mechanical ventilator, and the bedside monitor – in switch off, standby, and talking modes of the phone. Medical devices were observed for any interference caused by the electromagnetic radiations (EMR) from the mobile phones.Results:Out of the three medical devices that were tested, EMI occurred while using the mobile phone in the vicinity of the syringe pump, in the ‘talk mode.’ The mean variation observed in the calculated and delivered volume of the syringe pump was 2.66 ml. Mechanical ventilator did not show any specific adverse effects with mobile phone use in the one-foot vicinity. No other adverse effects or unexplained malfunctions or shutdown of the syringe pump, mechanical ventilator, or the bedside monitor was noted during the study period of 36 hours.Conclusion:EMI from mobile phones have an adverse effect on the medical devices used in critical care setup. They should be used at least one foot away from the diameter of the syringe pump.

Reducing Exposure to Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields from Wireless Networking with Portable Computers

“…EMI and EMC (electromagnetic compatibility) are especially important in hospitals and other areas with critical electronic systems. The use of mobile phones in the vicinity of medical devices may result in interference issues in latter ones thus compromising operational ability of the devices [2,11,3].…”

Medical Technology Management and Patient Safety

“…The impacts of mobile phones with different frequency and UHF radio frequency receiver / transmitter on ventilators were examined in many statistical studies and a highly interaction was observed (Gilligan et al, 2000;PMDA, 2006;Lawrentschuk et al, 2004, Tan et al, 2001Bassen, 1998;FDA, 1997;Carranza et al, 2011;Pressly, 2000;Hans et al, 2008).…”