EMI susceptibility characteristics of electromedical equipment in a typical hospital electromagnetic environment with particular reference to electrocardiography

Discusses the electromagnetic environment within the hospitals and commercial laboratories in which the medical electronic devices must function. An EMI induced degradation of a device whether diagnostic or therapeutic, could adversely affect medical diagnosis and patient treatment and may at times be fatal if due care is not taken. The purpose of this paper is to provide information concerning engineering, design of commonly used medical electronic equipment in India and their performance within the hospital electromagnetic environment. It focuses on the sources of EMI and effects on commonly used medical equipment with an in-depth study and analysis of electrocardiography in particular regarding its susceptibility in the electromagnetic environment of hospitals. An attempt has been made to study the immunity aspects of the devices attached to patients which are more susceptible to EMI for a variety of reasons. A detailed report based on the analysis carried out on the data collected from on the spot surveys of hospitals has been included to stress the need for EMC in the hospitals and based on the data collected, remedial measures have been suggested for operation.