Interference w/ Wireless Med. Telemetry Systems (Jan 06)

FDA has issued a Public Health Notification warning that after December 31, 2005, any medical telemetry systems that are still operating in the 460-470 MHz frequency band are at increased risk for interference, which could compromise patient safety.

Beginning on January 1, 2006, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) started granting licenses for mobile radio transmitters operating in the 460-470 MHz band. It's estimated that there are several hundred thousand mobile radio users waiting for these new channels. Most of the radio users in this band will include hand-held and other mobile transmitters such as those operated by police; fire and rescue; taxis; and commercial trucks. These users could likely operate in and around a hospital.

FDA recommends that hospitals determine if the facility's current wireless medical telemetry systems are operating in the 460-470 MHz frequency band. Hospitals still operating in that band should move to less vulnerable frequencies. FCC has reserved a certain portion of the radio spectrum for wireless medical telemetry. This part of the spectrum is known as the Wireless Medical Telemetry Service (WMTS).

Interference from TV stations broadcasting in the vicinity of hospitals could also be a growing problem because of Digital TV. The FCC is asking TV broadcasters to operate their new Digital TV transmitters at maximum power, and that can increase the potential for interference with medical systems. So if a hospital's wireless telemetry equipment is still operating in the commercial TV frequencies, it's important to migrate out of those channels and into the bands reserved for medical uses.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Interference
• Risk
• With
• Wireless
• Medical
• Telemetry
• Systems
• FDA
• Patient
• Safety