D.C. Report: Senator Kerry Releases Health IT Related Legislation

FCC Issues Final Rule on Mobile Wireless Spectrum Use for Patient Monitoring

This week, the Federal Communications Commission released the final ruleon medical body area network (MBAN) devices, allocating spectrum for wireless transmitters that are used for patient monitoring.  The FCC said the MBAN final rule “represents an improvement over traditional medical monitoring devices,” as it allows for increased patient mobility, comfort, and could represent annual savings of $1.2 billion, just from the expenses accrued after relocating patients to different clinics and departments.  Industry observers say this rule will lead to a new landscape of apps and devices meant to improve patient care.

The U.S. is the first country in the world to dedicate spectrum for Medical Body Area Networks in hospitals, clinics, and doctors’ offices.  The FCC and the Food and Drug Administration, which has regulatory control over mobile medical devices, are working together to streamline the approval process for medical devices that use the wireless spectrum.  While the FDA is regulating how those devices are used in a medical setting, the FCC is regulating the devices as a means of communication.