Regarding cellphones in hospitals

[BullsOnParade]

http://www.ccmjournal.com/pt/re/ccm/abs...GUahu1nu3Yy1TwKDLrAzb27O702lsMgQQ9mZWN!486756370!-949856031!9001!-1

 

[BlueWeasel]

[Edit]
The link works for me now....

 

[Drakkon]

Conclusions: In a controlled laboratory setting, cellular phones placed in close proximity to some commercially available intensive care ventilators can cause malfunctions, including irrecoverable cessation of ventilation. This is most likely to occur if the cellular phone is <30 cm from the device and ringing. Based on our data and the available literature, we believe it is reasonably safe to permit the use of cellular phones in the intensive care unit, as long as they are kept >=3 feet from all medical devices. The current electromagnetic compatibility standards for mechanical ventilators are inadequate to prevent malfunction. Manufacturers should ensure that their products are not affected by wireless technology even when placed immediately next to the device.

interesting...same should hold true for airplanes i would imagine...I know when i was in the hosp recently they didn't care about me using my cell in most areas...but they had it blocked in the actual rooms

 

[vi edit]

I've always been of the thought that it was more of a courtesy thing than an actual mechanical/electrical threat.

Allowing cell phone use in lobbies and waiting areas is fine. Just keep them out of the rooms.

Same thing with cell phones on air planes. Do you really want 200 people on a plane trying to talk over the top of each other in a confined space?

 

[dud]

Conclusions: In a controlled laboratory setting, cellular phones placed in close proximity to some commercially available intensive care ventilators can cause malfunctions, including irrecoverable cessation of ventilation.

1 - My mother died of brain cancer AND she used a cell phone.

2 - Have you ever tried to use a phone at a hospital? I did (with a hands-free) and could never get it to work (at 5 different hospitals).


The writing on the wall is pretty clear to me: don't use a cell phone held next to your head. It is an RF radiator that could kill you AND don't even try to use it in a hospital (it prob will not work anyway).

 

[StageLeft]

I'm kind of surprised that it makes a diff, but I guess it does, so I won't mind next time iI'm in a hospital!

 

[CraigRT]

I agree with the last line of the article

 

[BullsOnParade]

I dunno being an EE and having taken bioinstrumentation and biosystems I can defnitely attest to how sensitive
the measurements are as well how badly they are plagued with noise. I'm sure commercial implementations
are well shielded etc... nevertheless accuracy and results of these devices is highly dependant on the operating environment.
Also you'd be amazed at the field created when a cellphone recieves a call.

 

[sswingle]

I was told at our local hospital that if my phone could only get an analog signal I would have to turn it off, but if it was on Digital then it was ok to have on.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: vi_edit
I've always been of the thought that it was more of a courtesy thing than an actual mechanical/electrical threat.

Allowing cell phone use in lobbies and waiting areas is fine. Just keep them out of the rooms.

Why? When my Mom was in the hospital it was the easiest way for me to keep in touch with her. I think the rooms would be the best place to allow cell phones use.

 

[Pepsi90919]

why did you include that jsessionid bs

 

[vi edit]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: vi_edit
I've always been of the thought that it was more of a courtesy thing than an actual mechanical/electrical threat.

Allowing cell phone use in lobbies and waiting areas is fine. Just keep them out of the rooms.

Why? When my Mom was in the hospital it was the easiest way for me to keep in touch with her. I think the rooms would be the best place to allow cell phones use.

Was she in an ICU? Or just a general recovery room? This was for ICU's.

 

[astrosfan90]

Originally posted by: vi_edit
Same thing with cell phones on air planes. Do you really want 200 people on a plane trying to talk over the top of each other in a confined space?

Sounds like my evening commute home on the train.

I actually saw a story on CNN a while back about how the airlines are discussing the possibility of eventually allowing cell phone use on airplanes. I don't even want to think of the implications of that. As it is I find it infuriating when, upon landing, half the plane feels the need to discuss the turbulence of the flight with their wife at the top of their lungs. Always is amazing to me how people subconsciously raise their voice 150% the moment a phone is plastered to their ear.

Interesting article, btw.