title: [Use of mobile phones in hospitals do not jeopardise the safety of the patients].
abstract: Cellular telephones are increasingly used in hospitals both among employees, patients and visiting relatives. The feared medical equipment malfunctions due to electromagnetic interference have resulted in restrictions in the use of mobile phones in hospitals. However, these restrictions are not consistent between different hospitals, and not based on solid evidence. This article presents the evidence in this field and concludes that by maintaining a distance of one metre to sensitive medical equipment, mobile phones can be used safely in all hospital areas.
authors.affiliation: Gastroenheden, Kirurgisk Sektion, Center For Perioperativ optimering, Herlev Hospital, Herlev Ringvej 75, 2730 Herlev, Denmark. hcpommergaard@gmail.com
authors.forename: Hans-Christian
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Pommergaard
authors.forename: Jakob
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Burcharth
authors.forename: Jacob
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rosenberg
mesh_terms: D040421:Cell Phone; D047548:Defibrillators; D004562:Electrocardiography / Q000295:instrumentation; D004569:Electroencephalography / Q000295:instrumentation; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields / Q000009:adverse effects*; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D004865:Equipment and Supplies, Hospital; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D061214:Patient Safety; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic