In the ICU that I work in, we have a "No Cell Phone Use in ICU" policy. The stated reason is that supposedly, the cell phone signal can interfere with our monitors, our pacemakers, our balloon pumps, etc . . . , any of our electrical patient care equipment. So, I am always having to ask patient's family not to use their cell phones in the unit, to please go out of the unit to make/take calls. Once in a while, a feisty family member will point to this nurse or that doctor who is texting away on their smart phone . . . and I give them some "mumbo-jumbo" about texting being different (although, I don't think so!!).
We all know that there are electromagnetic signals from radio, TV, satellites, the sun, and handheld phones going every which way, everywhere. I wonder if the cell phone ban is based on real evidence or "mumbo-jumbo science"? (I'm going to Google, now!)
We are assigned a Blackberry when we clock in,..I think about 15 of us carry them. We use them to communicate throughout the ER. Sooo,..I guess it's not really an issue anymore,..I was told the old analog phones might interfere with with any "cordless" electronic devices.
years ago they found that cell phone signals interfered with our iv pumps. one patient got 25,000 units of heparin in just an hour and an investigation revealed that a cell phone signal caused the pump to malfunction. that may or may not -- probably not -- be an issue these days.
were the iv pumps run on a radio frequency? i thought they were just self contained, electronic devices. i can't see how a cellphone could ever interfere with the function of an iv pump, especially an older one.
my biggest peave about cell phones is when the pts are using them! it's real fun interrupting their constant conversations every time i walk into a room to assess, pass meds, or perform care for them .
Specializes in acute care med/surg, LTC, orthopedics.
My biggest peave about cell phones is when the pts are using them! It's real fun interrupting their constant conversations every time I walk into a room to assess, pass meds, or perform care for them .
A big peeve... patients asking me to wait, while they chat away on the phone. Umm, er, no.... call 'em back later, I got places to go and people to see!
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BrnEyedGirl, BSN, MSN, RN, APRN
1,236 Posts
We are assigned a Blackberry when we clock in,..I think about 15 of us carry them. We use them to communicate throughout the ER. Sooo,..I guess it's not really an issue anymore,..I was told the old analog phones might interfere with with any "cordless" electronic devices.