Wireless technology in the ICU: boon or ban?

doi:10.1186/cc6112

Critical Care
Volume 11
Issue 5

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Commentary

Wireless technology in the ICU: boon or ban?

Aviv S Gladman¹ and Stephen E Lapinsky¹^,2

¹Interdepartmental Division of Critical Care Medicine, University of Toronto, Canada

²Intensive Care Unit, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Canada

author email corresponding author email

Critical Care 2007, 11:165doi:10.1186/cc6112


Published:	11 September 2007

See related research by Van Lieshout et al., http://ccforum.com/content/11/5/R98

Abstract

Wireless communication and data transmission are playing an increasing role in the critical care environment. Early anecdotal reports of electromagnetic interference (EMI) with intensive care unit (ICU) equipment resulted in many institutions banning these devices. An increasing literature database has more clearly defined the risks of EMI. Restrictions to the use of mobile devices are being lifted, and it has been suggested that the benefits of improved communication may outweigh the small risks. However, increased use of cellular phones and ever changing communication technologies require ongoing vigilance by healthcare device manufacturers, hospitals and device users, to prevent potentially hazardous events due to EMI.