Health Devices. 1993 Aug-Sep;22(8-9):416-8.
It has long been recognized that devices emitting radio frequencies can interfere with the operation of clinical and other electronic equipment. A number of Health Devices System members have called us in recent months to ask about the risks of using cellular telephones in hospitals, and several others have also raised similar questions in the Healthcare Technology conference area of ECRINet, our online communication service. While some of those making inquiries have been alarmed by the publicity surrounding the possible health hazards of using cellular telephones--a specter that is not supported by currently available evidence or theoretical considerations--the focus of concern is generally whether such telephones can affect the operation of patient care devices. Evidence indicates that operating cellular telephones and radio transmitters near certain clinical equipment presents the risk of interrupting patient care, although much work remains to be done to clearly define that risk. Nevertheless, we recognize the benefit of bringing to the attention of our readers some of the experiences that are being reported. We hope that the following questions and answers will increase awareness of the possible risks of using such equipment, as well as promote the exchange of information to permit a more rapid assessment of the degree of risk and the steps necessary to avert problems.
长期以来，人们一直认识到发射射频的设备会干扰临床及其他电子设备的运行。近几个月来，一些健康设备系统成员致电我们，询问在医院使用手机的风险，还有其他一些人也在我们的在线通讯服务ECRINet的医疗技术会议区提出了类似问题。虽然一些询问者因围绕使用手机可能存在的健康危害的宣传而感到担忧——目前可得的证据或理论考量并不支持这种担忧——但人们普遍关注的焦点是此类手机是否会影响患者护理设备的运行。有证据表明，在某些临床设备附近操作手机和无线电发射机会有中断患者护理的风险，不过要明确界定这种风险仍有许多工作要做。尽管如此，我们认识到让读者了解一些正在报道的经验是有益的。我们希望以下问答能提高人们对使用此类设备可能存在风险的认识，并促进信息交流，以便能更快地评估风险程度以及避免问题所需采取的措施。
