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Medical devices impacted by 3G shutdown
GPs are being urged to speak to their patients and take ‘necessary precautions’ as essential devices and alarms could be affected.
As of 28 October, Telstra and Optus have switched off their third-generation networks.
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has reminded GPs to speak to their patients about the 3G network shutdown, warning it could impact their medical devices.
As of Monday, Telstra and Optus have switched off their third-generation networks, after Vodafone’s was also turned off in January this year.
The TGA has now urged consumers, healthcare providers, manufacturers, and suppliers to take the ‘necessary precautions’ to prevent any disruptions to essential medical services.
‘The TGA is not aware of implantable devices affected by the 3G network shutdown that will cause the implantable device to stop functioning,’ it said.
‘However, communication to the remote monitoring systems may be impacted.
‘Older devices that rely exclusively on 3G for data transmission or to make calls are more likely to be at risk.’
Devices which may be impacted include:
- personal medical alarms
- non-medical personal alarms used for emergency or safety purposes
- pacemakers and implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD)
- wearable health monitors
- Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy machines
- telehealth devices
Other potentially impacted products include personal safety pendants, fall detection systems, GPS tracking devices for elderly or vulnerable individuals, and automated medication dispensers.
GPs are also reminded to tell patients that no data, texts, calls, or the ability to contact triple zero will be available to those on the 3G network.
Ahead of the shutdown, manufacturers and suppliers have been informing consumers and healthcare professionals to guarantee ‘uninterrupted device functionality and safety’.
The TGA is now calling on GPs and healthcare providers to immediately review any medical device that may be affected by the 3G shutdown.
‘It is essential to confirm whether a device relies on 3G services and seek a replacement or upgrade where necessary,’ it said.
‘Ensure that devices critical for emergency communication, such as personal alarms or implanted devices, are not at risk of losing functionality.’
Patients can check their mobile phone by texting ‘3’ to the number ‘3498’, or by using the ‘
Check My Device‘ tool.
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