 |
 |
There's lots of useful info on the MHRA web site... Digital GSM 'phones are much less likely to interfere with medical devices than other radio transmitters. They are very unlikely to interfere at distances greater than a few metres. We're currently investigating the risks of EMI from RFID devices in one of the blood transfusion projects. It turns out to be surprisingly hard to extrapolate from one study to another... too much difference between the transmitting devices, medical devices, frequency, radiated power, signal modulation... Jonathan PS: Did you know there never was an "NHS ban" on using mobile 'phones in hospitals... On 13 Oct 2009, at 13:35, Indovina, Joe [OCDUS] wrote: > Dr. Sharpe > > EMI is an issue for instrument developers. Years ago the Mayo Clinic > (Minnesota, USA) conducted a study in which they found interference > occurred when cell phones were with in 1 to 1/2 meters of an > instrument. > Cell Phones generally generate 0.5 W of power and emit in the 900 to > 900 > MHz range. Generally the interference decreases with the distance of > the > source. Other areas of problems are cellular devices and routers that > are hidden behind ceiling tiles in labs and hospital ceilings. > > Two way radios actually are also an issue. The generate roughly 0.5 > W of > power and emit in the 400 to 500 MHz range > Roche's reply suggests to me that the measuring device in the system > may > have a shielding problem. I am sure they have conducted EMI testing > yet > these tests can not mimic all conditions. > > I dug through my files and came across the Mayo study > > Best to you > > Joe I > > -----Original Message----- > From: Clinical biochemistry discussion list > [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Sharpe, Peter > Sent: Tuesday, October 13, 2009 4:36 AM > To: [log in to unmask] > Subject: EMI > > Dear Colleague, > > > > We had a recent incident in which we detected a raised troponin T > (0.156 > ug/l) in a 49 yr women with non-specific chest pain who had attended > her > GP. The result was telephoned to the GP and the lady urgently attended > A&E; ECG was normal and repeat Troponin T was < 0.01 ug/l. The > original > sample (0.156 ug/l) was re-run and found to be < 0.01 ug/l. > > > > We contacted Roche who fully investigated the incident and concluded > that the possible "root cause" was likely to be EMI (Electro-Magnetic > Interference) from use of mobile phones in close proximity to the > instrument. They also mentioned other potential causes such as > "gripper > dirt" and "foam on reagents". They have recommended that usage of > mobile > phones be restricted, particularly when troponin T is being measured. > > > > I am really shocked by the possibility of EMI and I really find it > hard > to believe! However, if it is possible then it would have major > implications for the use of mobile phones, wireless networks etc > within > all laboratories. It is interesting that the Roche engineers have no > difficulty in using their mobile phone in close proximity to > instruments > when they are servicing equipment. > > > > I would value your thoughts on this. > > > > Best wishes > Peter > > Dr Peter Sharpe > Consultant Chemical Pathologist > Director of Research and Development > Southern Health & Social Care Trust > Ext 2657 > Tel 028 38612657 > Fax 028 38334582 > > > > > > > > ------ACB discussion List Information-------- > This is an open discussion list for the academic and clinical > community working in clinical biochemistry. > Please note, archived messages are public and can be viewed > via the internet. Views expressed are those of the individual and > they are responsible for all message content. > ACB Web Site > http://www.acb.org.uk > List Archives > http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/ACB-CLIN-CHEM-GEN.html > List Instructions (How to leave etc.) > http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/ > > > ------ACB discussion List Information-------- > This is an open discussion list for the academic and clinical > community working in clinical biochemistry. > Please note, archived messages are public and can be viewed > via the internet. Views expressed are those of the individual and > they are responsible for all message content. > ACB Web Site > http://www.acb.org.uk > List Archives > http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/ACB-CLIN-CHEM-GEN.html > List Instructions (How to leave etc.) > http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/ > <MayoClinicReport.pdf> ------ACB discussion List Information-------- This is an open discussion list for the academic and clinical community working in clinical biochemistry. Please note, archived messages are public and can be viewed via the internet. Views expressed are those of the individual and they are responsible for all message content. ACB Web Site http://www.acb.org.uk List Archives http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/ACB-CLIN-CHEM-GEN.html List Instructions (How to leave etc.) http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/