Reformation of the Japanese Guidelines for cellular phone use in hospitals

The Electromagnetic Compatibility Conference Japan announced in August, 2014 its reforms to the 1997 “Guidelines for use of mobile phones and other devices in hospitals.” The guidelines were amended because the medical electromagnetic environment has changed dramatically with the termination of second-generation cell phone service and the spread of wireless LAN, etc. Programs for the improvement of patient service and the operating efficiency of hospitals through the use of wireless communications have become the norm. Compared with the former guidelines, the hospital areas in which mobile phones can be used have been extended, with the condition that at least 1m be kept from a medical device. Also, the guidelines newly require the appropriate management of wireless communications and the electromagnetic environment. Our specialized research has led to these amendments. Here we explain the content and basis of the new guidelines.