Infrared transmission of electronic information via LAN in the operating room

Recent advances in technology have brought many kinds of monitoring devices into the operating room (OR). The information gathered by monitors can be channeled to the operating ward information system via a local area network (LAN). Connecting patients to monitors and monitors to the LAN, however, r equires a large number of cables. This wiring is generally inconvenient and particularly troublesome if the layout of the OR is rearranged. From this point of view, wireless transmission seems ideally suited to clinical setti ngs. Currently, two modes of wireless connectivity are available: radio-fre quency (RF) waves or infrared (IR) waves. Some reports suggest that RF tran smission is likely to cause electromagnetic interference (EMI) in medical d evices such as cardiac pacemakers or infusion pumps. The risk of malfunctio ning life-sustaining devices and the catastrophic consequences this would h ave on seriously ill patients rules out the use of RF. Here, we report an I R system using IR modems for LAN connectivity in the OR. In this study, we focused on the possible detrimental effects of EMI during wireless connecti vity. In our trial, we found no evidence of EMI of IR modems with any of th e medical devices we tested. Furthermore, IR modems showed similar performa nce to a wired system even in an electrically noisy environment. We conclud e that IR wireless connectivity can be safely and effectively used in ORs.