AST Guideline - Use of Mobile Information Technology in the Operating Room

6 their smartphone to use a Wi-Fi connection when accessing the Internet to reduce the risk of EMI. However, the risk for EMI is not eliminated because the smartphone will still use a cellular service for phone calls. 8 B. OR personnel should follow the equipment manufacturer’s recommendations regarding the distance between the equipment and use of mobile devices to avoid EMI. The surgery department should also consult with the biomedical engineering department for assistance in completing a patient risk analysis of existing and new equipment. C. HDOs should establish policies that address limiting the use of mobile devices by HCP in the specific areas of the HDO where critical care and life support equipment is being used. 1) It is recommended that mobile devices should be used at a minimum of 1 meter (approximately 3 feet) away from medical equipment to prevent EMI. 8,9,13,38,41-44 D. Patients and visitors should be informed that the use of mobile devices near medical devices can disrupt the medical devices functionality placing the patient at risk. 1) Patients and visitors should be prohibited from using mobile devices in critical care areas where multiple medical devices are in use. The areas should be indicated by easily noticeable signage. The mobile device must be powered off when carried into these areas. 2) However, the facility needs to be sensitive to the need for visitors to communicate with others outside the HDO from areas such as the surgical waiting room or emergency department. The visitor(s) should be instructed to use the mobile devices at least 1 meter or more away from medical equipment. If not possible to maintain the distance, the visitor should be instructed not to use the mobile device. 3) The same applies to patients; if the patient is undergoing treatment in which medical equipment is being used, the patient should be instructed not to use a mobile device since a 1 meter distance cannot be maintained. Guideline IV OR personnel have the duty to responsibly use MIT without violating patient confidentiality, protected health information (PHI), and state and federal patient privacy laws. 1. HDOs and OR personnel are responsible for the security of patient confidentiality, data, information, and privacy. 45 A. Mobile devices that have photo and/or video capturing capabilities should not be used in the presence of surgical patients throughout the perioperative course of treatment. The use of mobile devices in this manner can lead to compromising patient confidentiality and privacy, as well as violate patient privacy laws. OR personnel and HDOs are referred to the ECRI March 2012 report Photography, Filming and other Imaging of Patients published in Healthcare Risk Control for details regarding the inappropriate use of