EBME Forums Forums Management Medical Equipment Management Mobile Phones

I have twice seen medical equipment efected by mobile phones. Ones one of my colleges at Great Ormond St was testing a syringe driver her phone rang and it reset itself. Can't rmember if we were able to recreate this. The second was more scientific, an experament done by a medical physisist at the Royal Free in London were I currently work. A syringe pump was put next to a phone and the phone constantly phoned and answered. When the phone was on top of the pump it went wrong more that 50 percent of the time if there was any kind of distance, not sure what. The pump did not go wrong.

I am however alarmed to see how many electronic engineers seem to be such Ludites. You seem to have no problem using the internet forums, shouldn't you be writing to each other using quill and parchment.

That wouldn't be any good ... there's no spelling checker next to the ink well. Know what I'm saying?

Not sure what you're saying here, though. Are you worried about the medical devices ... or the phones?

Webbie

Don't get too alarmed at us Ludites.We are moving with the times and the discovery of this forum is spot on; though I'm one of the very rare breed of "Mechanical " Biomeds who follow the Fred Dybnah approach to engineering , if it's big and moves, it's beautiful ( just like Sophia Loren in her prime!).
Strangely too , one of my favourite pastimes used to be Calligraphy.

Kind regards
Terry H

Oh yes, Famous Myths, No. 437:-

The Pen is Mightier than the ...

"They said Ned Ludd was an idiot boy
That all he could do was wreck and destroy.
He turned to his workmates and said 'Death to machines,
They tread on our future and they stamp on our dreams'".

... and what became of Ned?, I hear you ask. Some say that he never existed (and they may have a point, as no record survives of anyone by that name having been hung around that time, unlike many of his followers). But there again, some people reckon that the story of Robin Hood is just a myth, too. Perhaps I'd better mention Wat Tyler here as well. True English heroes, all! Will we ever see their like again?

Meanwhile, perhaps this guy has the right idea!

I did some of the work for the original MHRA report.
I managed to get an external pacemaker to "sense" a heart beat at 7meters! - but that was with a walkie talkie.
I shutdown a vent ( with a phone) which rebooted in a fault condition and would not work without a mjor service.
I shut down the display of an aneasthetic machine.
I altered the results given by a blood analyser.
I go a syringe pump to change rate.

They do affect medical equipment - Fact.

Admittedly usually at very close range.
And remember a mobile phone emits an "I am in this cell call me here" signal even if it is not in use so they need to be turned off or in flight mode to be safe.

How many people have had faulty equipment reported to them and found no fault and thought "silly nurse"?

I know this is an old, much debated topic but we are dealing with peoples health and well being here.

Robert

I think it's worth taking into account that some of the original work that was done on mobile phones affecting other equipment was using phones that are now positively archaic in comparison to today's phones, particularly with regard to their "radiation footprint".
I think it is fair to say that modern phones do not affect equipment unless placed next to it and this is why the latest edict specifies the use of phones in hospitals except in Critical Care areas.

In my opinion, the edict would be phrased better as "only in public areas"!

Define "public area", I hear you say. To which I respond, define "critical care area".

Does this include public areas where patients are having a quick fag whilst connected to an infusion pump/syringe driver and talking on their own mobiles.

Lee

Yes, that's the "real world" definition, I would say.

Their precious yuman rights need to be safeguarded, you know!

And ... don't forget the nurses.

I was in A & E with my Mrs on Christmas Night (she'd accidently slashed the tendons in her thumb requiring "Emergency" surgery two days later).
The place was full of the usual drunks, chavs and lost souls of this world and even though large signs were scattered around the area saying "Please Switch Off Mobile Phones" -- very few people were taking notice -- Some may say that A & E is more public than other hospital areas but sitting next to us was a patient connected to an infusion pump. My wife, being a cardiac theatre sister, was incensed at the total lack of consideration!