Fatal collision? Are wireless headsets a risk in treating patients?

Abstract

Fatal collision? Are wireless headsets a risk in treating patients? Cindy Sage & Lennart Hardell (2018): Fatal collision? Are wireless headsets a risk in treating patients?, Electromagnetic Biology and Medicine. Published online Feb 5, 2018. DOI: 10.1080/15368378.2017.1422261 Abstract Wireless-enabled headsets that connect to the internet can provide remote transcribing of patient examination notes. Audio and video can be captured and transmitted by wireless signals sent from the computer screen in the frame of the glasses. But using wireless glass-type devices can expose the user to a specific absorption rates (SAR) of 1.11-1.46 W/kg of radiofrequency radiation. That RF intensity is as high as or higher than RF emissions of some cell phones. Prolonged use of cell phones used ipsilaterally at the head has been associated with statistically significant increased risk of glioma and acoustic neuroma. Using wireless glasses for extended periods to teach, to perform surgery, or conduct patient exams will expose the medical professional to similar RF exposures which may impair brain performance, cognition and judgment, concentration and attention and increase the risk for brain tumors. The quality of medical care may be compromised by extended use of wireless- embedded devices in health care settings. Both medical professionals and their patients should know the risks of such devices and have a choice about allowing their use during patient exams. Transmission of sensitive patient data over wireless networks may increase the risk of hacking and security breaches leading to losses of private patient medical and financial data that are strictly protected under HIPPA health information privacy laws tandfonline.com

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

The article states that wireless glasses-type devices may expose users to SAR values of 1.11–1.46 W/kg and argues that extended use could lead to similar RF exposures as some cell phones. It asserts that such exposures may impair cognition/judgment and increase brain tumor risk, and raises concerns about compromised medical care and wireless data security.

Outcomes measured

• RF exposure (SAR) from wireless glasses-type devices
• brain tumors (glioma, acoustic neuroma)
• brain performance/cognition/judgment
• concentration/attention
• quality of medical care
• data security/privacy risks (hacking, breaches)

Limitations

• Appears to be an opinion/review piece rather than original human/animal experimental data (no methods or results presented in abstract).
• No frequency, measurement protocol, or exposure assessment details beyond a SAR range are provided in the abstract.
• Claims about health effects are presented as potential/associative without study design details in the abstract.

Suggested hubs

• occupational-exposure (0.78)
  Discusses RF exposure to medical professionals using wireless glasses/headsets during work (teaching, surgery, patient exams).

{
    "study_type": "review",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "RF",
        "source": "wireless headsets / wireless glasses-type devices",
        "frequency_mhz": null,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": "extended/prolonged use"
    },
    "population": "medical professionals (users of wireless glasses/headsets)",
    "sample_size": null,
    "outcomes": [
        "RF exposure (SAR) from wireless glasses-type devices",
        "brain tumors (glioma, acoustic neuroma)",
        "brain performance/cognition/judgment",
        "concentration/attention",
        "quality of medical care",
        "data security/privacy risks (hacking, breaches)"
    ],
    "main_findings": "The article states that wireless glasses-type devices may expose users to SAR values of 1.11–1.46 W/kg and argues that extended use could lead to similar RF exposures as some cell phones. It asserts that such exposures may impair cognition/judgment and increase brain tumor risk, and raises concerns about compromised medical care and wireless data security.",
    "effect_direction": "harm",
    "limitations": [
        "Appears to be an opinion/review piece rather than original human/animal experimental data (no methods or results presented in abstract).",
        "No frequency, measurement protocol, or exposure assessment details beyond a SAR range are provided in the abstract.",
        "Claims about health effects are presented as potential/associative without study design details in the abstract."
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "insufficient",
    "confidence": 0.66000000000000003108624468950438313186168670654296875,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "unknown",
    "keywords": [
        "wireless headsets",
        "wireless glasses",
        "RF radiation",
        "specific absorption rate",
        "SAR",
        "medical professionals",
        "glioma",
        "acoustic neuroma",
        "cognition",
        "patient safety",
        "data security",
        "HIPAA"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": [
        {
            "slug": "occupational-exposure",
            "weight": 0.7800000000000000266453525910037569701671600341796875,
            "reason": "Discusses RF exposure to medical professionals using wireless glasses/headsets during work (teaching, surgery, patient exams)."
        }
    ]
}

Comments

Log in to comment.

No comments yet.