Electromagnetic interference with infusion pumps from GSM mobile phones.
Calcagnini G, Floris M, Censi F, Cianfanelli P, Scavino G, Bartolini P. · 2006
View Original AbstractMobile phones can disrupt critical medical infusion pumps at distances up to 30 centimeters, potentially affecting life-saving medication delivery.
Plain English Summary
Italian researchers tested whether GSM mobile phones could interfere with medical infusion pumps that deliver medications to patients. They found that 6 out of 8 volumetric pumps and 1 out of 4 syringe pumps malfunctioned when exposed to phones at maximum power within 30 centimeters. This matters because pump malfunctions in hospitals could deliver incorrect medication doses to critically ill patients.
Why This Matters
This study reveals a critical safety issue that extends beyond personal health concerns to life-threatening medical equipment failures. The researchers found that mobile phones operating at maximum power could disrupt infusion pumps at distances up to 30 centimeters - roughly the length of a ruler. What makes this particularly concerning is that these pumps deliver precise medication doses to patients who often cannot afford any interruption in treatment. The power levels that caused malfunctions (50 mW at 900 MHz and 2.5 mW at 1800 MHz) are well within the range of normal phone operation, especially when phones boost power due to poor signal strength. While the study suggests that good base station coverage reduces this risk by allowing phones to operate at lower power, the reality is that hospitals often have poor cellular coverage due to their construction materials and electronic equipment.
Exposure Information
Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study. The study examined exposure from: 900 MHz and 1,800 MHz
Study Details
The aim of this study was to assess the risk of GSM phone-induced electromagnetic interference with volumetric and syringe pumps, at various distances and emitted powers.
Malfunctions were observed in 6 out of 8 volumetric pumps and in 1 out of 4 syringe pumps exposed to...
In state-of-the-art pumps, the presence of moderate-good base station coverage would significantly reduce the risk of electromagnetic interference.
Show BibTeX
@article{g_2006_electromagnetic_interference_with_infusion_1942,
author = {Calcagnini G and Floris M and Censi F and Cianfanelli P and Scavino G and Bartolini P.},
title = {Electromagnetic interference with infusion pumps from GSM mobile phones.},
year = {2006},
url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16538140/},
}