EBME Forums Forums Management Medical Equipment Management Mobile phone policy

As I said earlier I agree with Dave H's common sense approach where he has designated areas where phones can be used. Blanket bans are always met with hostility hence why they are unworkable. If you give people specific areas for the use of such phones they are more likely to comply with this policy, the odd one or two won't but the majority will. Have you actually spoken to Dr Smith at MDA, he will tell you that blanket bans are unnecessary.

I find that company reps are one of the most common culprits of mobile phone abuse. I was once on a ward when a reps phone went off which he promptly answered and had a conversation. I have also seen in ITU an engineer using his electronic organiser with built-in mobile, he thought that by transmit and receiving data for his next job was not the same as using it for a voice call.

Seeing how owning/using mobile phones isn't against the law I fail to see how blanket bans can be enforced.

It's also hypocritical, as Bioman points out, hospital employees and company reps/engineers are the worst culprits.

I loathe mobiles in hospital but it is unrealistic to expect patients/visitors to not use them at all.

We also have policies covering reps/engineers not being on-site without authorisation and without them being issued with temporary I.D. but they don't follow these processes either.

I'm sure us "bitter and twisted" NHS Biomeds can think of lots of examples were rules and policies are not followed besides having a go at the little old woman who uses her phone in a "safe area" to make sure her kittie has had it's tin of Whiskers

I think BLANKET BANS are not unreasonable as Smoking Bans have now been in place for several years despite some opposition. The problem with 'Safe Areas' such as corridors is that patients are often walking through them with IV pumps connected, so there is still some level of risk.

Where are the demarkation lines for area's where phones are allowed?

If I'm standing outside a Renal unit, 50cm from an external wall in the car park maybe, am I safe using my phone?

Only a blanket ban is enforcable, abit like "Zero tolerance" for drinking and driving...oops another can of worms there.

If Southhport and Ormskirk operate a restricted areas only policy, where are the signs telling you were the safe areas are??

I was at A+E today and only saw "do not use signs"...So as not to annoy Dave too much I was Joe Public ..with my daughter..

Yep I would agree that Reps/Engineers are the worst culprits, and I'm sure Dave himself is no angel. Switching off the "tones" is not off you all realise I assume??

Blanket bans.. have no excuses so no argument !!

Mark

Hope you found our Mobile Communications policy of some use in explaining our position.

Demarkation is a strong word, I would like to think our policy was "common sense" If Huw would like I can e-mail it to him for addition to the downloads. I know I sent it to Paul Balaam a while ago and he found it useful.

It is staff's responsibility to inform Joe Public of the re-mit to the policy. The "No" signs are so as to not to add to confusion, if we had too many signs it might get a bit "overcrowded".

If Joe-P were to ask then staff should be aware of Trust policy and inform them as to the "safe areas"

I suggest you follow up your enquiry with the MDA as to whether using a mobile outide a Renal unit 50cm away from equipment would have any consequences.

I guess by your "rule of thumb" I must be an Angel as I don't use/take a mobile into areas they shouldn't be.

That would be excellent Dave.
Thank you.

A very interesting read Dave,
Para 10 is a little strange though, as I have not witnessed any " Safe to use in this area signs." But otherwise excellent.

The last para, on the boys in blue ?? common sense really but I can't see them switching owt off can you??

Like most H+S issues, ignorance of policy is not an excuse.

Ten out of ten keep up the good work.

Any Suggestions on how to stop this as the country live on Mobile Phones here....
We have tried to limit the use but have hit many obsticles( problems ) God my spelling...
Any suggestions i will be anywhere in the hospital call me on the moile.
ahahahahahahha

No but really this is becoming a problem that must be controlled.
Me The Phone box man.
Bring them back the RED PHONE BOXES and put them in theatre..
:p

I've not read of any reference being made to the 'Stewart Report'. If you go to www.doh.gov.uk/mobile.htm and look at paragraph 4.6 you will see there is an endorsement of the blanket ban.