yellowbird

It has been proved that having a cell phone on in a hospital where heart monitors are being used can interfere with the monitoring. The cell phone can show a 60 cycle interference in which it is hard or impossible to see the patients underlying rhythm. Therefore, in a lot of facilities they have signs posted stating to turn cell phones off. Some people think it is OK to have them on, just on talking on them. But really, it's best just to shut them off. On the other hand, some facilities have there staff that carry cell phones, however they only work inside the building. I'm not sure what makes these phones different. I imagine it works along the line of a paging or networking system.

Trinity

I remember when going to the hospital with my daughter when she was in labor----you had to shut your cell phone off----but in the maternity wing---you could have it and use it with no problem.

Trinity

Is that the same reasoning for no cell phones while in the air? If so---why did the cell phones not do anything to flight 93 on 9/11?

lsnoozy

The main reason not to use cell phones in a hospital is to prevent interference with monitors and such. Usually there are certian areas deemed safe to use. I know it depends on the type of machines in use. For example, a intensive care unit may have patients on anything from full life support, which involves several monitor, to a simplt telemetry, which monitors only heart rate. On a maternity unit, there is less monitors being used and the type they use, i.e. one monitoring contractions, and babies heart rate, are older and and use ultrasound. It is more of a precaution than a straight risk. Testing has show that cell phones can interupt some heart and respitory machines sending false information. They put the patients at risk also of electrical shock.
Generally the type of cell phones the nurses carry are more of a walkie talkie within the area. They are set up on an internal network and will not work outside of the designated area. They have been tested and show no interferrance or risks to the patient or monitors.

lsnoozy

Cell phones are banned on most aircraft because they may cause interference with the plane or even the tower. Kind of along the same lines as in hospitals. There is a chance they might interfer, even if very minute. It's better to error on the side of caution. Thats why the cell phone use on flight 93 was okay. The chance is pretty slim. With so many different kinds of cell phones it would be hard to know exactly which ones may or may not cause interference. Certian times when they are especially guarded is takeoff and landing because of the flight control tower. Especially with more and more digital use. It was a little different with analog systems.

tiggapooh

I find it just as easy to turn my phone off no matter where in the hospital I am. I just put myself in a patien'ts place. I would definitely want someone to respect those same rules when I'm in there.

yellowbird

I think the reason for no cell phones on a plane is because of the radar and communication equipment it has. Just like in hospitals, heart tracing are sent by using telemetry to bring the tracing to a monitor. The same concept is used with airplanes. Even if cell phones would have interfered on that plane, it wouldn't have stopped what was about to happen. The people on the plane had the right idea. It's a good thought though. It would be interesting to see what other types of things cell phones interfer with.

technochick

I had to have surgery last year and was able to freely use my phone. I think that they restrict them in the cardiac wards and intensive care units. Some doctor's offices have a notice up to turn them off, I guess since they never know if they are going to have to put a patient on a monitor or a machine. Other doctors don't have a sign up and I see people on the phone. Maternity wards don't seem to have that restriction either. I guess as time goes on, they recognize where mobile phones present a risk and what machines are and aren't affected by them.