The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) published a detailed study on the effects of mobile phones and other communication equipment on a range of medical devices in its device bulletin DB9702 “Electromagnetic Compatibility of Medical Devices with Mobile Communications”, in March 1997—the Medical Devices Agency at that time.
The advice in the publication DB 9702 has been reviewed on a regular basis by the MHRA since 1997.
A further bulletin, DB 1999(02) “Emergency Service Radios and Mobile Data Terminal: Compatibility Problems with Medical Devices” was published in May 1999, and addressed the impact of radio communications on the safe use of a range of medical devices.
An update document, SN 2001(06), was published in March 2001, which covered the potential interference with medical devices by TETRA radio systems employed by the emergency services and media broadcasts from hospital premises.
In July 2004 guidance on the MHRA website, which referenced DB 9702 and DB 1999(02), advised that health-care providers should actively manage the use of radio frequency spectrum on their own sites, and consider the potential effects of communication equipment on all medical devices.
The most recent MHRA website advice published is “Frequently asked questions on the use of mobile phones in hospitals”. This has links to the other MHRA publications on the effects of mobile phones on medical equipment.
MHRA's advice is that each hospital trust should conduct its own risk assessment and introduce the necessary controls to protect areas such as intensive treatment units where sensitive equipment is in use. Areas that are generally accessible to members of the public may be suitable for the unrestricted use of mobile phones, and signage should make this clear.