FCC allows unlicensed devices to share same band as hospitals

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) recently issued a new rule allowing unlicensed devices to share the same wireless bandwidth as patient monitors, according to a recent report in Modern Healthcare.

The patient monitors are currently, the sole users of channel 37. However, this will change once the unlicensed devices are developed.

The FCC denied a request by the American Hospital Organization (AHA) and some members of Congress to delay the new rule. They allowed a buffer zone around hospitals, however, hospitals will need to provide evidence they need a larger protection zone before one will be granted.

In a statement, Rick Pollack, Executive Vice President of the American Hospital Organization said, “We remain highly concerned that if the rules adopted today are left unchanged, patient safety could be compromised. We will continue to work with Congress, the FCC, and device developers to seek a remedy that puts patients first.”