Question:
Did you bring your cell phone to the hospital?
Hi- Did any of you bring your cell phones to the hospital, and if yes, was it ok to use them? Not looking forward to trying to use a calling card all doped up, and I'd like my friends and family to have access to me. Thanks, Mea :o) — Mea A. (posted on July 18, 2003)
July 18, 2003
Generally cell phones are not allowed within a hospital at all since the
transmissions can interfere with some sensitive equipment. Call your
hospital and ask AHEAD of time. Perhaps you can have your family and
friends call YOU and they can be understanding enough if you are not up to
it to call back later...? Good luck! peace--terry
— Terry R.
July 18, 2003
I would not take your cell phone with you its can be dangerus to the other
people on your floor who have heart moniters. The hospital i was in dose
not allow them anywhere in the hospital at all.
— lynniec
July 18, 2003
At Kaiser they have signs all over that no cell phones are allowed. We had
a support group meeting at Kaiser last weekend and the first thing they
told us was to turn off our cell phones. They can definitely interfer with
medical equipment, not worth taking a chance. Why not buy a pre-paid phone
card and use that or memorize your phone card number so you can still call
friends and family.
— [Deactivated Member]
July 18, 2003
I guess things are different where I live. I brought my cell phone when I
had lap rny and the nurse said "Oh good, you brought your phone. We
always have trouble with the phone in this room." Then I was in the
hospital for a car accident 10 weeks later. While I couldn't have it on
the ICU, they allowed me to have it as soon as I got out. I would ask if I
were you.
— susanje
July 18, 2003
I took my cell phone and used it constantly. Nobody said a word about it.
I didn't ask, and they didn't tell me no. It rang day and night, and the
didn't even mind the noise.
— Lisa C.
July 18, 2003
Just ask them. In our hospital, our floor is OK'd to have cell phones.
Usually it's only the cardiac floor that it's not OK. Be sure to ask
though, you wouldn't want to put anyone in jeapordy.
— sandieguy
July 18, 2003
Mea, I took my cell phone the second time I was admitted. You are totally
correct about the problems with phone cards and being doped up. My hospital
would only allow local calls so the first time in I couldn't call any
family without my phone card and I was just too out of it to call anyone.
With my cell phone my family was easy to reach and it was easier for them
to reach me. I would suggest that you take both just in case the hospital
will not allow the cell phone to be used.
— blockie
July 18, 2003
I think that you can be without a cell phone after major surgery. You NEED
to rest and recuperate in the hospital. The world will go on as you know it
if you miss a call or 2. Just my opinion Good Lux
— Robert L.
July 19, 2003
You'll need to clear cell phone use with the hospital you'll be in. Please
don't just use a cell phone without asking...your use of it may be
interfering with life-saving monitors or other equipment being used on the
floor above you, in the room next to you, etc. Hugs, Joy
— [Deactivated Member]
July 19, 2003
Hi everyone, original poster- Thanks for all the responses. I will be
sure to ask first, as I wouldn't want to mess up anyone's equpiment or be
accused of baby snatching, LOL! That was kind of funny, Diane :o) And for
Robert, I think you missed the point of having a cell phone in the
hospital. It's for family and friends to make sure we're ok, being cared
for properly, when we're feeling up to visitors, etc. I definitely would
want 24 hour communication access to my support network, and as another
poster mentioned, the phone in her room wasn't working properly. My
surgery is tentatively scheduled for Jan '04, and if anyone calls me
immediately post-op to blab about the Superbowl, they'd be in big trouble
:o) Thanks again, Mea :o)
— Mea A.
July 19, 2003
I hope your family and friends will visit you. I am so hooked up with
telecommunications that the rest I got in the hospital was a blessing. If
there is a possibility that a cell phone could harm anyone I wouldn't bring
it. When you get home I'm sure that everyone will call and support you.
— Robert L.
July 19, 2003
I have never seen a hospital that allows cell phones to be used!
— Ceil G.
July 19, 2003
Me and my friend both had ours with us just in case. I only used mine once
and when the nurse walked in she laughed....it turns out the hospital where
I was at gives the nurses their own cell phones so the supervisor had one
and was using it too. I was on a bariatric floor so no equipment was
impacted by using it. Be sure to ask the hospital but I would probably
have snuck mine in anyway in the event of a middle of the night emergency.
Wendi
— lovemonterey
July 21, 2003
The hospital I work in does not allow cell phones to be used or even turned
on inside the hospital. YES they can interfere with the functioning of
equipment. an article I read in a nursing journal pointed to a cell phone
causing a malfunction in a IV pump causing a child to be given a massive
over dose of an iv fluid. the cell phone made the iv pump increase its
rate. the incident was also tested & proven with the phone and the
pump in a lab. Just how selfish would you feel if you found out that a
nother person as injured or killed due to your cell phone usage.
— **willow**
July 21, 2003
No need for such a harsh response, Willow. Maybe you missed my comment
below, that I will be sure to ask first. Have a nice day.
— Mea A.
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