It may be safe to use cell phones in hospital

Reported by Susan Aldridge, PhD, medical journalist

Cell phones do not have an adverse impact upon hospital medical devices, according to a new study.
Hospitals generally ban the use of cell phones on their premises, for fear that the signals will interfere with medical equipment. However, a study from the Mayo Clinic now suggests that the ban may be ill-considered. The researchers carried out 300 tests involving two different types of cell phone and 192 different medical devices. No interference problems were noted.

The study adds to previous work which involved equipment not actually connected to patients. These also found that there was no problem with using cell phones. The researchers say that hospitals should revise their advice on cell phone use - which the Mayo Clinic will, itself, be doing. It can be important to patients and their families to have the convenience of a cell phone in hospital. If it turns out there is no good safety reason for banning them, then maybe they should be permitted.

Source
Mayo Clinic Proceedings March 2007

Please take a moment to give us your comments. For questions about Health matters you may check our "Questions & Answers" Portal and Service.