But let's not forget that the vast majority of medical equipment (suction pumps, for example) couldn't care less about all the radiated noise that is zooming around "the ether" at any one time. Either that, or it produces hefty doses of its own (electrosurgical units, x-ray systems)!
Oh yes, you are right about suction pumps. With ambient electromagnetic wave in the air, the more the EMC issues need to be managed.
And well-designed modern equipment should be pretty much RF-proof too. After all, "screening" (or "shielding") has been about for donkey's years, and is hardly rocket science. We should always remember that hospitals are dirty places in all senses of the word - that is, in terms of electro-magnetic noise, too.
Frankly, if modern kit wasn't so (often unnecessarily) complicated, the possibility of interference would be diminished anyway. Much of the time, the "latest technology" is used for what amounts to little more than proprietary reasons (or even, gouging), or just because it's the "latest stuff". In many cases little, or no, real utility is added. Just a bunch of gee-whiz "features" that no-one actually uses - but still have to pay for (very much like modern software, in fact). What's next, Bluetooth connectivity for the Roberts Pump?
It is beyond our controls but all of us will agree that technology needs to advance for its intended purpose.
Perhaps the real problem with the "infusion pump that resets itself" etc. is bad design of the pump! Perhaps we could start by returning to the idea of using metal cases (that can be readily screened) rather than plastic! And don't devices coming to market get checked out for this sort of thing (eg, mobile phone "compliance") during the FDA approval process, and whatever we do (if anything) in the UK, and in other parts of the world? Could this be the rub:- "prevention is better than cure"?
Most frequently, it is the infusion pump, with commonly over-infused (free-flow)problem. FDA asked for certification (those of similar kit in the market) for RF immunity and emission and that is all they need to put the product in the market.
Perhaps we need to devise a "mobile phone test" of our own, to be carried out during acceptance testing. Maybe Rigel
et al already have such a tester on the drawing board as we speak!
I believe the mobile phone debate is more of a "social" (meaning
un-social, "I don't care") issue. Ignorant people are in the ascendancy ... hadn't you noticed?
I doubt there is a willingness for the manufacturer to produce one.
