The effect of electromagnetic interference from mobile communication on the performance of intensive care ventilators.
Jones RP, Conway DH. · 2005
View Original AbstractMobile phones and radios can disrupt or completely disable life-support ventilators, showing EMF interference poses real risks in medical settings.
Plain English Summary
British researchers tested how wireless devices affect life-support ventilators by placing mobile phones, radios, and Bluetooth devices near five different ventilator models. They found that high-powered two-way radios could completely shut down one ventilator, while mobile phones triggered false alarms on most models, though Bluetooth devices caused no interference. This matters because ventilators are critical for patient survival, and wireless interference could potentially compromise life-saving equipment in hospitals.
Why This Matters
This study reveals a concerning reality about electromagnetic interference in critical care settings. The fact that a two-way radio completely disabled the Puritan Bennett 840 ventilator demonstrates that EMF interference isn't just theoretical - it can have immediate, life-threatening consequences. What makes this particularly relevant today is that hospitals increasingly rely on wireless technology for communication and monitoring, while EMF levels continue rising from multiple sources. The researchers found that 80% of ventilators tested showed display errors when exposed to mobile phone signals, and while these were brief, any disruption to life-support equipment raises serious questions about our growing wireless infrastructure in medical environments. Put simply, this research shows that the EMF we often dismiss as harmless can interfere with devices that keep people alive.
Exposure Information
Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study.
Study Details
The aim of this study was to investigate these effects on displayed and actual ventilator performance.
Five ventilators were tested: Drager Oxylog 2000, BREAS LTV-1000, Respironics BiPAP VISION, Puritan ...
All ventilators tested, except for the Respironics VISION, showed a display error when subjected to ...
In a clinical setting, high-power-output devices such as a two-way radio may cause significant interference in ventilator function. Medium-power-output devices such as mobile phones may cause minor alarm triggers. Low-power-output devices such as Bluetooth appear to cause no interference with ventilator function.
Show BibTeX
@article{rp_2005_the_effect_of_electromagnetic_2244,
author = {Jones RP and Conway DH.},
title = {The effect of electromagnetic interference from mobile communication on the performance of intensive care ventilators.},
year = {2005},
url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16119593/},
}