Japan Association for Medical Informatics

[2-F-2] Use of radio waves as a hospital infrastructure

*Eisuke Hanada1 (1. Saga University)

Wireless communication, Wireless Telemetry system, Wireless LAN, Cellular phone, Guidelines

Wireless communication is becoming an infrastructure in hospitals. However, about half of the hospitals that have introduced wireless communications have experienced problems. In response, the Electro-Magnetic Compatibility Conference (EMCC) issued a "Guide for Safe and Secure Use of Radio Waves in Medical Institutions" in 2016 and its revised version (the "Guidelines") in July 2021. The main targets of the Guidelines are medical telemetry system, wireless LAN, and in-hospital use of cellular phones. For each of these, the Guidelines provides information on safe introduction and operation, as well as the management system required of hospitals. The revised edition adds information on handling tethering, 5G compatibility, etc. Also, examples of countermeasures by area and Q&A have been enhanced, and a booklet containing excerpts from these. And an essentials version (one A3 sheet) that can be used as a checklist to check the radio wave use environment have also been prepared. This session is a joint symposium with the Radio Environment Division of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications and the Hokkaido Bureau of Telecommunications. Through this symposium, we hope that the problems associated with the installation and operation of wireless communications in hospitals, safe and secure methods of operation, and examples of such operations will be made known to the public, and that both patient safety and operational efficiency will be improved.