Characterization of electromagnetic interference of medical devices in the hospital due to cell phones.
Morrissey JJ, Swicord M, Balzano Q · 2002
View Original AbstractCell phones caused critical interference in only 4 of 33 medical devices tested, but all phone signals produced some electromagnetic disruption.
Plain English Summary
Researchers tested 33 medical devices from four hospitals to see if cell phones could interfere with their operation. They found that only 4 devices experienced critical disruption when cell phones were used 25 cm (about 10 inches) away or farther, though more interference occurred when phones were very close to devices. This study helped establish safety protocols for cell phone use in hospitals.
Why This Matters
This research addresses a critical safety concern that emerged as cell phones became ubiquitous in healthcare settings. While the study found relatively few cases of critical interference at normal distances, the fact that all cell phone signals produced some form of electromagnetic interference demonstrates the real-world impact of RF emissions on sensitive electronic equipment. What makes this particularly relevant today is that modern hospitals are filled with far more wireless devices than in 2002, and medical equipment has become increasingly sophisticated and potentially vulnerable. The study's finding that interference effects weren't predictable across similar devices highlights the complexity of electromagnetic compatibility in healthcare environments and underscores why many hospitals still maintain cell phone restrictions in certain areas.
Exposure Information
Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study.
Study Details
To study the characterization of electromagnetic interference of medical devices in the hospital due to cell phones.
In an effort to characterize electromagnetic interference concerns, representative medical devices f...
Of 33 medical devices tested, only 4 showed disruption of critical function due to cell phone emissi...
Because a comprehensive analysis of all medical devices in all possible electromagnetic environments was not performed, the data presented here are only intended to provide a general idea of the magnitude of electromagnetic interference effects that might be encountered in a hospital environment, as well as a standard protocol for clinical engineering groups to perform ad hoc electromagnetic interference surveys and methods to manage and/or eliminate electromagnetic interference with appropriate system engineering design including supplementary communication infrastructure, medical device shielding and positioning, and appropriate cell phone user guidelines.
Show BibTeX
@article{jj_2002_characterization_of_electromagnetic_interference_2440,
author = {Morrissey JJ and Swicord M and Balzano Q},
title = {Characterization of electromagnetic interference of medical devices in the hospital due to cell phones.},
year = {2002},
url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11768798/},
}