Cell phones??

Pediatric Critical Care Columnist · Aug 19, 2005

Our biomed department conducted their own tests using both analog and digital cell phones and found that the occurrence of RF interference with our monitoring and delivery systems presented an unacceptable risk to patients. It seems proximity plays a role in this interference and so in our facility, cell phone use (as well as two way radios) is permitted except within the confines of critical care areas, including the OR. One caveat I must include is that many of our electronic devices are quite elderly and thus they may be the bigger problem and not the cell phone.

fotografe · Aug 20, 2005

The only interference I have had first hand experience with is with hard wired intercom systems. I was told by the engineer that cell phones periodically send out a homing signal to let the service provider know where a particular phone is. It shows up on the intercom as what we refer to as the call from the mother ship -- a series of beeps that lasts 10 seconds or so. It also appears when there is an incoming call. No paticular difference happens whether anyone is actually using the phone or not. It can also knock out wireless radio mics, but the phone has to be right next to the mic, like in a lapel pocket.

I will agree mostly with Suzanne on this. The no cell phone rule is in effect in most places for privacy issues. To the poster above, I would love to see the article where a pump was triggered to release epi at a higher rate than programmed. That just doesn't make sense. Why would an IV pump be affected by signaling unless it had remote capabilities? Furthermore, what evidence would show that a LifeFlite crew was interfered by cell phone if all of the passengers died, and nobody could declare that a phone rang at the time of navigational compromise? Sure, there are cell phone records and such, but if a helicopter is traveling fast enough to need navigational equipment (Since most fly low to the groud and in VERY familiar territory) chances are an analog signal was moving far too slow to keep pace with the movement of the huey moving at such a fast speed. I just don't buy it.
This is a long & tired debate, and believe it or not, (to my knowledge) the only documented cases of interference with aircraft equipment, medical equipment, or otherwise was in laboratories where the amplitude of the signlas of these devices was severely increased, and improbable wave combinations were used. Most of these studies were carried out by MIT students & faculty.
My father has worked in radio technology for over 25 years. (He has engineered stright-line, micro, strato, digital, etc.) To this day he says most of these claims of intereference, if not all, are farce.

Zoomer · Aug 21, 2005

We have signs everywhere asking visitors not to use cell phones while in the monitored areas of the hospital. I have yet to hear a plausible reason. I have been told that the signals interfere with the equipment, and yet the physicians are allowed to use their phones while in these areas. I have never seen any interence from the cell phones. What's the deal??

I saw on episode of ER where the cell phone set off a patients AICD. You know if it was on ER it must be true... :)

Katnip, RN · Aug 21, 2005

Actually, we did have a monitor show a patient in v-tach who wasn't, and it was caused by a cell phone. Not sure if there was something faulty in the phone or the monitor, but it did happen.

Our monitors operated with antennaes hanging from the ceilings, so I suppose if you have some kind of signal that can interfere with the monitor signals it makes sense to try to limit it as much as possible.

maolin · Aug 21, 2005

When I was in the hospital last year for a DVT, I was on the Tele floor. All the nurses carried cell phones that were tied into the hospital phone system. Patients were instructed that instead of pressing the call light, we could dial a 4 digit extension and it would ring the RN directly. We could also use the call light, if we wanted to, but dialing the RN was much better.

As a student at the time, I discussed this with my nurses and they said they really liked the new system. You would think pts calling the nurses on a cell phone would be disruptive to the nurse, but they all said it actually saved them time and extra running around - they could answer questions over the phone instead of running down to the room and could get needed items on the way to the room. As a patient - I felt the care was superior - I had more interaction and attention from my nurse than if I had to wait for someone to come to the room (sometimes a lengthy wait) after using the call light.

I wish all hospitals had this system!

Editorial Team / Admin · Aug 21, 2005

There has been a great deal of misinformation regarding cell phone use in hospitals.

Simply put:

Radio frequency waves that are used to to sustain the cell phone, are carried through space. The energy is comprised of EM (electromagnetic energy). EM is all around us For years, the FDA and FCC have known that EM from various sources could interfere with medical instruments. These federal branches have required that manufacturers of medical equipment develop shielding devices for these instruments/equipment.

Now, that being said, the cell phone that comes within close proximity of a medical device, can, interfere, (especially if the medical device/equipment is not properly shielded). As with all EM radiation , the strength of the field decreases with the square of the distance from its source.

The FDA has never banned any communications equipment. They have and do require pre-marketing shielding on medical equipment.

Many hospitals have lifted the ban on the cell phone.

mattsmom81 · Aug 21, 2005

Our biomed guys decided cell phones DID interfere with one of our vents..I believe it was the older PB's..so when this one was in use, we were told to monitor cell use. Seemed kinda strange to me, and a bit of a risk (but apparently not one the hospital prioritized as I know new vents are big bucks)

Personally I wish they would ban them in the ICU itself...they want to talk away from patients,(not in the room where I'd prefer they stay) so visitors congregate around the desk, in the ICU corrider...obstructing and talking noisilky. I find it distracting and irritating personally. Of course this is in an open visiting free for all environment. I feel like I'm in a mall not an ICU.

Editorial Team / Admin · Aug 21, 2005

Our biomed guys decided cell phones DID interfere with one of our vents..I believe it was the older PB's..so when this one was in use, we were told to monitor cell use. Seemed kinda strange to me, and a bit of a risk (but apparently not one the hospital prioritized as I know new vents are big bucks)

This particular ventilator probably did not have the proper shielding.

Pediatric Critical Care Columnist · Aug 21, 2005

When I was in the hospital last year for a DVT, I was on the Tele floor. All the nurses carried cell phones that were tied into the hospital phone system. Patients were instructed that instead of pressing the call light, we could dial a 4 digit extension and it would ring the RN directly. We could also use the call light, if we wanted to, but dialing the RN was much better.
I wish all hospitals had this system!

It could be that this hospital uses the Companion phone system, which is a little different from a cell phone. It uses a closed-circuit wireless network that uses radio frequencies. The hospital I worked at in Winnipeg used this technology after much testing, and found that it was pretty useful. Our PICU had two phones that could be used when on a transport to another area of the hospital, which covers some 35 acres (through some pretty scary tunnels! :eek: ) or to allow a staff member or visitor to take calls at the bedside.

Gracie_OU · Aug 23, 2005

You can alway's check the manufactures manual for any medical device to know specifics. You should alway's follow their recommendations, even if your bio-med test the equipment.

The "cell" phones used in hospitals today are not the same as what we drive around with and talk on...

LuvDaTrauma, BSN, RN · Aug 30, 2005

I was visiting a patient at Children's Mercy in Kansas City and they had posters EVERYWHERE saying not to use cell phones because it can mess with the equipment and then had the example of an insulin drip on an IV being messed up because of a cell phone.

At my hospital - everyone has a microcellular phone that they carry around. I dont like having to wait for my patients to get off of their cell phones so I can do my job! I work in the ER and it is a big problem here.

safewaygreenbox · Aug 30, 2005

Our fire officer gave us all scare stories of mobiles going off in petrol stations and causing fireballs. Like- kids in the car, phone on the dash, small window open just above petrol inlet thing, fumes going into window reaching mobile, mobile rings and boom!!! :stone .

It is my understanding that you have to be very close to any equipment for signals to disrupt its workings. Like a cop leaning against stand with equipment chatting up a nurse and their radios can interfere.

Well thats my two pence worth of wisdom :chuckle :chuckle

Kay x