Infrared Transmission of Electronic Information via LAN in the Operating Room

Recent advances in technology have brought many kinds of monitoring devicesinto the operating room (OR). The information gathered by monitors can bechanneled to the operating ward information system via a local area network(LAN). Connecting patients to monitors and monitors to the LAN, however,requires a large number of cables. This wiring is generally inconvenient andparticularly troublesome if the layout of the OR is rearranged. From thispoint of view, wireless transmission seems ideally suited to clinicalsettings. Currently, two modes of wireless connectivity are available:radio-frequency (RF) waves or infrared (IR) waves. Some reports suggest thatRF transmission is likely to cause electromagnetic interference (EMI) inmedical devices such as cardiac pacemakers or infusion pumps. The risk ofmalfunctioning life-sustaining devices and the catastrophic consequences thiswould have on seriously ill patients rules out the use of RF. Here, we reportan IR system using IR modems for LAN connectivity in the OR. In this study,we focused on the possible detrimental effects of EMI during wirelessconnectivity. In our trial, we found no evidence of EMI of IR modems with anyof the medical devices we tested. Furthermore, IR modems showed similarperformance to a wired system even in an electrically noisy environment. Weconclude that IR wireless connectivity can be safely and effectively used inORs.