Cell phones banned in hospital ERs, Ors.

Byline: Blanche S. Rivera

HEALTH Secretary Manuel Dayrit has banned the use of mobile phones and other personal communication services (PCS) in the emergency and operating rooms of all hospitals because of the danger they pose to the operation of sensitive medical equipment.

Dayrit ordered all patients and hospital staff to restrict the use of their cell phones in areas where critical medical devices are being used.

The ban covers the intensive care units, nurseries, labor and delivery rooms, pediatrics and diagnostic areas, imaging units and clinical laboratories.

"Appropriate warnings must be posted by managers of health facilities in …