An update on mobile phones interference with medical devices

Radiat Prot Dosimetry. 2013 Oct;156(4):401-6. doi: 10.1093/rpd/nct091. Epub 2013 Apr 4.

Abstract

Mobile phones' electromagnetic interference with medical devices is an important issue for the medical safety of patients who are using life-supporting medical devices. This review mainly focuses on mobile phones' interference with implanted medical devices and with medical equipment located in critical areas of hospitals. A close look at the findings reveals that mobile phones may adversely affect the functioning of medical devices, and the specific effect and the degree of interference depend on the applied technology and the separation distance. According to the studies' findings and the authors' recommendations, besides mitigating interference, using mobile phones at a reasonable distance from medical devices and developing technology standards can lead to their effective use in hospital communication systems.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Artifacts
  • Cell Phone*
  • Communication
  • Electromagnetic Fields
  • Electromagnetic Radiation
  • Equipment Failure Analysis
  • Equipment and Supplies*
  • Hospitals
  • Humans
  • Life Support Systems / instrumentation
  • Patient Safety
  • Prostheses and Implants
  • Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon / methods