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 manufacturers
  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.

8

• The End! Take the test and your done!
• Close this window and follow the instructions on
  the testing site.