Walkie-talkies and cellular telephones: the hazards of electromagnetic interference in hospitals.

This article presents an overview of the effects of electromagnetic interference (EMI) on medical devices, with emphasis on portable telecommunication devices. In addition, the authors discuss existing voluntary national and international standards and policies governing the use of cellular telephones and walkie-talkies in hospitals, possible solutions to the susceptibility of medical devices to EMI, and recommendations to lessen EMI's potentially hazardous effects.