Filter
Top Products
140 141
SAFETY
11. What about wireless phone interference with medical
equipment?
Radiofrequency energy (RF) from wireless phones can interact with some
electronic devices. For this reason, FDA helped develop a detailed test method to
measure electromagnetic interference (EMI) of implanted cardiac pacemakers and
defibrillators from wireless telephones. This test method is now part of a standard
sponsored by the Association for the Advancement of Medical instrumentation
(AAMI). The final draft, a joint effort by FDA, medical device manufacturers,
and many other groups, was completed in late 2000. This standard will allow
manufacturers to ensure that cardiac pacemakers and defibrillators are safe from
wireless phone EMI.
FDA has tested hearing aids for interference from handheld wireless phones and
helped develop a voluntary standard sponsored by the Institute of Electrical and
Electronic Engineers (IEEE). This standard specifies test methods and performance
requirements for hearing aids and wireless phones so that that no interference
occurs when a person uses a “compatible” phone and a “compatible” hearing aid
at the same time. This standard was approved by the IEEE in 2000.
FDA continues to monitor the use of wireless phones for possible interactions with
other medical devices. Should harmful interference be found to occur, FDA will
conduct testing to assess the interference and work to resolve the problem.
Updated July 29, 2003
For more information, please visit the FDA website at http://www.fda.gov/
cellphones.
SAFETY
EMERGENCY CALLS
Never rely solely upon your wireless phone for essential communications (e.g.,
medical emergencies), if it can be avoided, since a wireless phone requires a
complex combination of radio signals, relay stations and landline networks for
its operation. Consequently, emergency calls may not always be possible under
all conditions on all wireless phone systems. Your wireless phone, however, may
sometimes be the only available means of communication at the scene of an
accident. When making an emergency call, always give the recipient all necessary
information as accurately as possible. Never terminate an emergency call until
you have received clearance to do so.
FCC ENHANCED 911 (E911) RULES
Background
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) requires wireless carriers
to transmit specific latitude and longitude location (Automatic Location
Identification = ALI) information as well as “911” calls to Public Safety Answering
Points (PSAPs) to identify the location of the caller in case of emergency.
Generally, the rules require that carriers identify an E911 caller’s location within
50 meters of the actual location for 67 percent of calls and within 150 meters of
the actual location for 95 percent of calls.
CDM1450’s ALI Capability
The CDM1450 is an ALI-capable phone equipped with a GPS (Global Positioning
System) receiver supporting a satellite-based GPS ALI-capable network to comply
with the FCC’s ALI requirements.
071012_1450M-EN_REV01.indd 140-141071012_1450M-EN_REV01.indd 140-141 2007.12.17 10:21:32 AM2007.12.17 10:21:32 AM