Some Hospitals Now Allowing Cell Phone Use

September 11, 2007

Don't be surprised to see people chatting on their cell phones the next time you visit a hospital. According to Techdirt, a recent study found benefit in allowing mobile phone usage in hospitals, including improved communication among staff and lower error rates. Another study de-bunked the universal myth that cell phones interfere with medical equipment. Some hospitals are even going as far as installing local antennas to lower the likelihood of interference so that patients, docs, and visitors can happily chat away.

Keep in mind that not all hospitals have jumped on-board with this, as they are waiting for further evidence.

Image Source

15 Comments

mefph 5 years 36 weeks

I have been hospitalized a dozen times in the past few years, they have always let me use my cell. (I'm in TN.) It's a huge convenience!

jdots24 5 years 36 weeks

this is good news!

koolbr33z3 5 years 36 weeks

Finally!

jhuck 5 years 36 weeks

When I was doing my placement at the pharmacy at Sunnybrook hospital in Toronto, cell phones were allowed in most of the building, and I'd say 50% of the nurses I saw and all the doctors carried them. The only places that they weren't allowed was in the OR and trauma recovery rooms. When there were emergencies around the hospital you could hear everyone's phones start going off, and the communication between floors for moving patients had apparently increased.

LadyLibertine 5 years 36 weeks

some nurses and doctors have been using mobile phones in hospital for years my mom is a RN, and told me this ages. It was more when it first came out maybe, but she tells me all the time how they use them.

horcruxes 5 years 36 weeks

my cousin was in pediatric ICU and they let her keep her cell phone with her and she was texting everyone... i found that odd, especially when she was under such close surveillance.

millarci 5 years 36 weeks

Technology is amazing.

colormesticky 5 years 36 weeks

I wish the emergency room we go to would allow cell phones. Would've come in pret-ty handy last year.

glam sugar 5 years 36 weeks

That'd be cool!

c0rkie 5 years 36 weeks

great! /:)

Leopardcc 5 years 36 weeks

I think it's a great idea.

jimmalou1978 5 years 36 weeks

At the hospital where my husband works (he's a nurse), they give all the nursing staff cell phones to use, so that they can be summoned to a patient's room or back to the desk if a doctor or family member comes up and wants to ask a question. No more looking down the halls for your nurse; just call them on their cell phone. The downside is that even if you go off the floor to take a break, you can still be called. So, unless you ignore your phone (which is really frowned upon), you can't truly take a break during the day.

tdamji 5 years 36 weeks

great! i think it'll really help with a lot of things. you always see people using their cells in shows/movies.

Greggie 5 years 36 weeks

It's always been pretty rare for our hospitals to enforce it anyway. If you ask first, they'd almost always allow you to use it.

Lovely_1 5 years 36 weeks

Wow that's pretty sweet! I hate not being able to use cells in hospitals! With two mega-athletes in my close family I spend A LOT of time in the hospital and it sucks having to use a pay-phone or a public one in the room or going outside when it's minus 30 to call someone!

Link Love

15 Comments

You Might Also Like