Title
Electromagnetic interference from radio frequency identification inducing potentially hazardous incidents in critical care medical equipment
Author
van der Togt, R.
van Lieshout, E.J.
Hensbroek, R.
Beinat, E.
Binnekade, J.M.
Bakker, P.J.M.
Publication year
2008
Abstract
Context: Health care applications of autoidentification technologies, such as radio frequency identification (RFID), have been proposed to improve patient safety and also the tracking and tracing of medical equipment. However, electromagnetic interference (EMI) by RFID on medical devices has never been reported. Objective: To assess and classify incidents of EMI by RFID on critical care equipment. Design and Setting: Without a patient being connected, EMI by 2 RFID systems (active 125 kHz and passive 868 MHz) was assessed under controlled conditions during May 2006, in the proximity of 41 medical devices (in 17 categories, 22 different manufacturers) at the Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Assessment took place according to an international test protocol. Incidents of EMI were classified according to a critical care adverse events scale as hazardous, significant, or light. Results: In 123 EMI tests (3 per medical device), RFID induced 34 EMI incidents: 22 were classified as hazardous, 2 as significant, and 10 as light. The passive 868-MHz RFID signal induced a higher number of incidents (26 incidents in 41 EMI tests; 63%) compared with the active 125-kHz RFID signal (8 incidents in 41 EMI tests; 20%); difference 44% (95% confidence interval, 27%-53%; P<.001). The passive 868-MHz RFID signal induced EMI in 26 medical devices, including 8 that were also affected by the active 125-kHz RFID signal (26 in 41 devices; 63%). The median distance between the RFID reader and the medical device in all EMI incidents was 30 cm (range, 0.1-600 cm). Conclusions: In a controlled nonclinical setting, RFID induced potentially hazardous incidents in medical devices. Implementation of RFID in the critical care environment should require on-site EMI tests and updates of international standards. ©2008 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.
Subject
Aorta balloon
Cardiopulmonary bypass
Defibrillator
Hemofiltration
Infusion pump
intensive care
Pacemaker
patient safety
Tadiation hazard
radiofrequency identification
Radiofrequency radiation
Technology
Ventilator
hospital management
human
management
safety
Critical Care
Electromagnetic Fields
Electronics, Medical
Equipment and Supplies
Equipment Failure
Equipment Safety
Humans
Materials Management, Hospital
Patient Identification Systems
Radio Waves
Safety Management
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http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:b3b1dafe-a794-4067-a62a-a75c4b61e633
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.299.24.2884
TNO identifier
240872
ISSN
0098-7484
Source
JAMA - Journal of the American Medical Association, 299 (299), 2884-2890
Document type
article