RF Safe

Effects of mobile phone use on specific intensive care unit devices.

Indian journal of critical care medicine : peer-reviewed, official publication of Indian Society of Critical Care Medicine · 2008 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 2768

EMI was observed for the syringe pump when a mobile phone was in talk mode at a distance of one foot; the mean variation in calculated vs delivered volume was 2.66 ml. No specific adverse effects were observed for the mechanical ventilator at one foot, and no…

Study snapshot

PublicationIndian journal of critical care medicine : peer-reviewed, official publication of Indian Society of Critical Care Medicine · 2008
Study typeexposure_assessment
Reported directionMixed
Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: To observe the effects of mobile phone use in the vicinity of medical devices used in a critical care setting. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Electromagnetic interference (EMI) was tested by using two types of mobile phones - GSM and CDMA. Mobile phones were placed at a distance of one foot from three medical devices - syringe pump, mechanical ventilator, and the bedside monitor - in switch off, standby, and talking modes of the phone. Medical devices were observed for any interference caused by the electromagnetic radiations (EMR) from the mobile phones. RESULTS: Out of the three medical devices that were tested, EMI occurred while using the mobile phone in the vicinity of the syringe pump, in the 'talk mode.' The mean variation observed in the calculated and delivered volume of the syringe pump was 2.66 ml. Mechanical ventilator did not show any specific adverse effects with mobile phone use in the one-foot vicinity. No other adverse effects or unexplained malfunctions or shutdown of the syringe pump, mechanical ventilator, or the bedside monitor was noted during the study period of 36 hours. CONCLUSION: EMI from mobile phones have an adverse effect on the medical devices used in critical care setup. They should be used at least one foot away from the diameter of the syringe pump.

Machine Enhanced Logic

AI evidence extraction

Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.

Study typeexposure_assessment
Effect directionmixed
PopulationNot supplied
Sample sizeNot supplied
ExposureRF · 36 hours (study period)
Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

EMI was observed for the syringe pump when a mobile phone was in talk mode at a distance of one foot; the mean variation in calculated vs delivered volume was 2.66 ml. No specific adverse effects were observed for the mechanical ventilator at one foot, and no other adverse effects, unexplained malfunctions, or shutdowns were noted for the syringe pump, ventilator, or bedside monitor during the 36-hour study period.

Outcomes measured

  • Electromagnetic interference (EMI) on ICU devices
  • Variation in calculated vs delivered volume (syringe pump)
  • Device malfunctions/shutdown (syringe pump, mechanical ventilator, bedside monitor)

Limitations

  • No sample size reported
  • Frequencies/SAR and phone models not reported
  • Only one distance tested (one foot) and limited device types (syringe pump, ventilator, bedside monitor)
  • Observational description of interference without detailed measurement protocol reported in abstract
View raw extracted JSON
{
  "study_type": "exposure_assessment",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "mobile phone",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "36 hours (study period)"
  },
  "population": null,
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Electromagnetic interference (EMI) on ICU devices",
    "Variation in calculated vs delivered volume (syringe pump)",
    "Device malfunctions/shutdown (syringe pump, mechanical ventilator, bedside monitor)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "EMI was observed for the syringe pump when a mobile phone was in talk mode at a distance of one foot; the mean variation in calculated vs delivered volume was 2.66 ml. No specific adverse effects were observed for the mechanical ventilator at one foot, and no other adverse effects, unexplained malfunctions, or shutdowns were noted for the syringe pump, ventilator, or bedside monitor during the 36-hour study period.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "No sample size reported",
    "Frequencies/SAR and phone models not reported",
    "Only one distance tested (one foot) and limited device types (syringe pump, ventilator, bedside monitor)",
    "Observational description of interference without detailed measurement protocol reported in abstract"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "electromagnetic interference",
    "EMI",
    "mobile phone",
    "GSM",
    "CDMA",
    "critical care",
    "ICU devices",
    "syringe pump",
    "mechanical ventilator",
    "bedside monitor"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "medical-device-interference",
      "weight": 0.9,
      "reason": "Study tests electromagnetic interference from mobile phones on ICU medical devices."
    }
  ]
}
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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract and metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This material is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Identifiers and source

DOI: 10.4103/0972-5229.45077
PubMed: 19742260

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