Electromagnetic Interference of Communication Devices on ECG Machines
- 12 October 2009
- journal article
- Published by Wiley in Clinical Cardiology
- Vol. 32 (10), 588-592
- https://doi.org/10.1002/clc.20459
Abstract
Background Use of communication devices in the hospital environment remains controversial. Electromagnetic interference (EMI) can affect different medical devices. Potential sources for EMI on ECG machines were systematically tested. Hypothesis Communication devices produce EMI on ECG machines. EMI impairs ECG interpretation. Methods The communication devices tested were: a global system for mobile communication (GSM) receiver, a code division multiple access (CDMA) receiver, an analog phone, a wireless local area network, and an alpha‐numeric pager. EMI was tested on 3 ECG machines: MAC 5000, MAC 1200, and ELI 100. The devices were tested at 2 and 1 meter, 50, 25, and 0 cm from the acquisition module. The ECGs were presented to a heterogeneous group of clinical providers, (medical students, residents, nurses, industry representatives from cardiac devices companies, and attending cardiologists) to evaluate the impact of EMI on ECG interpretation skills. Results EMI was detected on the MAC 5000 ECG machine when activated GSM, CDMA, and analog phones were placed on top of the acquisition module. No EMI was seen on the other ECG machines or when phones were at a longer distance or deactivated. EMI was incorrectly diagnosed in 18% of the cases. EMI was confused most frequently with atrial fibrillation or flutter (52%), ventricular arrhythmias (22%), and pacemaker dysfunction (26%). Medical students (p < 0.003) and non‐cardiology residents (p = 0.05) demonstrated significantly worse performance on EMI interpretation. Conclusions Digital and analog phones produce EMI on modern ECG machines when activated in direct contact to the acquisition module. EMI impairs ECG interpretation. CopyrightKeywords
This publication has 13 references indexed in Scilit:
- Causes of errors in the electrocardiographic diagnosis of atrial fibrillation by physiciansJournal of Electrocardiology, 2007
- Interference of electrocardiographic recordings by a mobile telephoneCardiology in the Young, 2007
- Cellular Telephone Interference With Medical EquipmentMayo Clinic Proceedings, 2005
- Mobile communication regulations updated: how safely are doctors' telephones used?Quality and Safety in Health Care, 2004
- Oral anticoagulation for ECG tremor artefact simulating atrial fibrillationActa Cardiologica, 2003
- Mobile phones in hospitalsBMJ, 2003
- Cellular Phone Interference With External Cardiopulmonary Monitoring DevicesMayo Clinic Proceedings, 2001
- Tremor-induced ECG artifact mimicking ventricular tachycardia.Circulation, 2000
- Clinical Consequences of Electrocardiographic Artifact Mimicking Ventricular TachycardiaNew England Journal of Medicine, 1999
- Influence of digital and analogue cellular telephones on implanted pacemakersEuropean Heart Journal, 1997