Evidence-based policy? The use of mobile phones in hospital.
BACKGROUND
Evidence-based policies have become increasingly accepted in clinical practice. However, policies on many of the non-clinical activities that take place in health care facilities may be less frequently evidence based.


METHODS
We carried out a review of literature on safety of mobile phones in hospitals and survey of practice in selected European countries.


RESULTS
When first evidence on the dangers of electronic interference associated with mobile phones appeared in the 1990s, hospitals in many countries introduced complete bans on mobile phones. Yet a review of recent evidence suggests that there is no significant risk from using mobile phones in hospitals as long as they are more than a metre away from sensitive equipment, whereas the risk to the most modern equipment is even less. With the technological evolution of mobile phones, the residual risk of interference appears to be minimal and controllable. Although some countries are reluctant to relax regulation, others now limit bans to areas in which sensitive equipment is used and some discourage the use of mobile phones on the grounds of noise exposure.


CONCLUSIONS
With new technology on the doorstep, the potential benefits and risks associated with mobile phones should be examined explicitly in the light of the evidence.
Ettelt
Stefanie
S
European Centre on Health of Societies in Transition, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK.
Nolte
Ellen
E
McKee
Martin
M
Haugen
Odd Arild
OA
Karlberg
Ingvar
I
Klazinga
Niek
N
Ricciardi
Walter
W
Teperi
Juha
J
D040421:Cell Phone / Q000592:standards*; D003625:Data Collection; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005060:Europe; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006739:Hospital Administration; D006801:Humans; D009664:Norway; D016134:Organizational Policy; D012306:Risk; D012449:Safety