----- Original Message -----
From: "Gemma Kelleher"
> One last point, about terminology:
> Cellular phone = GSM etc standalone phone
> Mobile phone = "DECT" type phone that has a base station.
I'm not sure of your terminology Gemma, as in this country (UK) people use
the term "mobile phone" to refer to cellular phones only. For the DECT type
of device, we use the term "cordless phone" (it stands for Digital Enhanced
Cordless Telephony).
Anyway, we now use cordless phones in our department. The nurse in charge
uses one, which is incredibly useful, as they have one extension, and a DDI
for "Direct Dialling In", which makes it so much easier for everyone to
contact them, not to mention the facility they have to roam around the
department while still communicating on their phone. Two of our consultants
also use these devices, although I lag behind!!
So I agree with John, we are suboptimally using this technology. But I also
agree with Ray's caution; rather like the "quiet carriages" that are now
popular in many train services, I believe patients should be instructed to
switch off their mobiles before their consultation, purely on the basis of
courtesy, akin to a concert or a cinema or a law court, rather than because
of some supposed interference with equipment. As the BMJ editorial implies,
this might reduce aggression and resentment. One thing's for sure, prolonged
waits for treatment are much easier to bear if you have some contact with
the outside world.
Adrian Fogarty
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