Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) in the Hospital

1. Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) in the Hospital Lake Regional Health System

2. What is Electromagnetic Interference (EMI)? • Electromagnetic interference (or EMI, also called radio frequency interference or RFI) is a disturbance that affects an electrical circuit due to signals being emitted from an external source. • The disturbance may interrupt, obstruct, or otherwise degrade or limit the effective performance of the affected equipment. The source may be any object, artificial or natural, that carries rapidly changing electrical currents, such as an cellular telephones, handheld radios, etc. • Equipment that can be affected in a hospital setting inlcude, but are not limited to, telemetry units, apnea monitors, pacemakers, infusion pumps, ventilators, defibrillators and alarm systems.

3. What does this mean for LRHS? • Because of the potential for critical care equipment to be affected by EMI, the hospital has taken steps to promote medical device compatibility and minimize the risk of potential issues with EMI in the hospital. • At the same time, the hospital is working to achieve a balance between the need for effective communications between caregivers and the prevention of unnecessary EMI.

4. Applicability of the LRHS Policy on Electromagnetic Interference. • The hospital policy on EMI (Admin Policy 112-20-34) is applicable to all staff and personnel assigned or attached to the hospital. • Areas where there are concentrations of electrically powered medical devices (ICU, SDU, O.R., E.R. CCU, telemetry units, neonatal units and catherization labs) are the focus of this policy. • These restrictions are not usually necessary in nonclinical areas such as Administration, Housekeeping, Physical Plant/Utility Areas, Business Office, etc. UNLESS there is a demonstrated need to have it in these areas (e.g., located adjacent to a patient care area listed above).

5. Requirements for LRHS • The use of cellular phones, two-way radios and other radio frequency generating devices shall be restricted from the areas identified where serious injury or death could occur if EMI were to affect patient care equipment. • Signs banning cellular phone use will be posted in all areas identified as high-risk. • All radio frequency producing devices MUST be approved by the director of Clinical Engineering Services (CES) prior to purchase to ensure compatibility with hospital equipment. • Any rooftop transmitters that may cause medical devices to malfunction are prohibited.

6. Maintenance of Medical Equipment • All users and maintainers of medical equipment will follow the equipment manufacturer’s recommendations for avoiding EMI. • Maintainers will ensure that any shielding is not compromised or removed during maintenance. All equipment cover plates screws/bolts must be used.

7. Reporting EMI Issues • All users of equipment must report all potential EMI problems, incidents or abnormalities to the Clinical Engineering Services department. • CES will maintain any data trending of EMI problems and incidents in the analysis of any EMI-related medical equipment malfunctions.

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