Hot Topics. General EMF Health Effects.
Pacemakers and Cell-Phone Interference

March 17, 2001 - Chad S. (Medic) Well I find the articles here ridiculous, first thing I have worked in the medical field for the past seven years, and have used cell phones to do a good share of my patient reports, and so on. I have used my cell phone when in the back of an ambulance in close proximity with ECG's, IV pumps, and other vital equipment with out any problem. I think it is ridiculous for you to state how the person holding the cell phone would be charged with involuntary manslaughter, PLEASE read up on your states statues before making comments, and please talk to some other health care providers, and know the facts before you talk in areas of which you do not know!

July 23, 2000 - John W. (Hospital Employee) First of all, the posts below are not very clear. Tom N. offers no evidence, and does not responsibly contribute to this forum. Similarly, Regina Hensley has documentation that cell phones emit 7 seconds prior to ringing, but does not share that documentation with us. She is clearly not a lawyer, and there is no court in the land that would convict under those circumstances. There is no way in a crowded train, waiting room, elevator, etc. that someone would know the person next to them had a pacemaker. She also errs in making the sweeping assumption that cell phones adversely affect telemetry and other delicate medical equipment. No studies are cited, and no evidence is offered. Pay phones are in hospitals to make money, not as an alternative to cell phone use. James makes light of a subject not laughable. Perhaps an arm's length, or two arm's length would be more understandable to him. Joe, similarly makes a point, and the hospital's only concern is not pacemaker disruption. The good point he makes is that we seem to lack knowledgable and scientific evidence based information on the risk to patients, and in hospitals, regarding EMF transmissions from cell phones. Ken uses the word "may" which reinforces that we don't know. Is the 6 - 12 inches authoritative? and...lastly, what does the scientific body of knowledge tell us on this subject? What does the literature tell us? What studies have been done to trigger malufunctions in telemetry, IV pumps, electric wheelchairs, etc? In my hospital, we have a prohibition on the use of cell phones in all special care units, as a precaution, and also to eliminate the disruption caused to patients, staff, and visitors by loud phone conversations. However, since I think (do not know) that phones emit when simply on, we have signage asking for them to be turned off when entering the hospital, but signs are no indication of compliance. However, when preparing for Y2K, we tried to disrupt medical devices (not in actual patient care), but could not replicate the stories that were cited by others. In other words, we could not get an IV pump to malfunction, shut down or false alarm by using a cell phone in close proximity (an arm's length). It was not a scientific study. Using a cell phone within 6 - 12 inches of an IV pump was rather impractical and unlikely, but even then, we could not duplicate the problems others 'suspected'. I am always interested in evidence, as opposed to generalities. We in hospitals want to do the right thing, and it seems that the jury is still out on exactly what precautions and policies are based on evidence.

February 04, 2000 - Tom N. Well, One thing I must say is EMF's are KILLING us. Not just those with Pacemakers. Babies NTD's and Birth Defects, Cancers from DNA damage.

January 05, 1999 - Regina Hensley, RN I find it ridiculous that some of these comments appearing below are coming from healthcare professionals. I myself had been a registered nurse for 9 years, retired for the last 3 years due to health problems. I myself have a pacemaker. Have any of you given any thought that patients who have pacemakers may be completely 100% pacemaker-dependent (asystole without the pacer). That is my condition. First, if anyone has any estimates that are documented on how many pacemaker recipients are 100% dependent on their device, then leave a message. Second, I have documentation that cellular phones emit signals 7 seconds before the phone rings. If I am in a completely crowded position (my pacer is on the right side) someone on my right with their phone over their left ear; I would immediately pass out from complete asystole. If no one around me knows me, and cannot tell the person using the phone to turn it off, the person with the cellular phone could be a good samaritan and call 911 for help. The entire time they are attempting to save my life, I am dying. According to the law, who would be responsible for my death? Believe it or not it would be the person that actually had the phone in their hand. They would be procecuted for involuntary manslaughter (and more than likely convicted). Is that how yow want to spend your time on the cell phone, in jail? Third and lastly, cell phones not only interfere with pacemakers in hospitals, but they also can interfere with telemetry monitoring, electric wheelchairs, and other very delicate medical equipment. So, you should think twice before mocking those greatly needed signs to turn off cell phones before entering a hospital. If only more people knew the dangers to a person like me, and it would be wonderful if more places had signs warning to turn off the cell phones. Why do you think they put pay phones in very convenient and multiple places? Use them!!

January 05, 1999 - James P. Jamieson RN/RCP I also find it laughable that hospitals are putting up signs warning of interference from cellular phones. Maybe manufacturers should build in tape measures so we can measure exactly how close we are from that ol' pacemaker next time we feel the need to place a cell call from some cardiac patient's chest! I would also like to draw attention to the following report: The Office of Science and Technology's Center for Devices and Radiological Health reported in their 1996 Fiscal Year Annual Report (October 1st, 1995 - September 30, 1996)

June 16, 1998 - Joe Tittigiger My wife and I both work in hospitals and have yet not found anyone intelligent or knowlegable enough to explain the whole cell phone issue. Are pacemakers the only equipment of concern? I find it laughable that there is concern only in the hospital that I will run up to some one and put my cell phone on their chest.

September 18, 1997 - Ken (Medical Device Company) The latest research has shown that pacemakers from any manufacturer may be susceptible to inhibition or interference with cellular telephones. There are recommendations to prevent this from happening. Hold the telephone 6-12 inches away from the pacemaker. Do not store the cellular phone in a jacket pocket that would allow it to be positioned directly over the pacemaker (even in Standby mode). Use the telephone on the side opposite the pacemaker.