Markey, Eshoo probe wireless medical devices

In many cases, when I read that Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-Calif.) and Rep. Edward Markey (D-Mass.) ask for something on the wireless industry, I have a knee-jerk reaction to roll my eyes. (That is if your knee can trigger an eye-roll.) However, the two representatives, who asked the General Accounting Office to make sure wireless medical devices are not a safety risk to people, I totally agreed with the plan.
The Hill reported that Eshoo and Markey are asking the GAO to make sure the Federal Communications Commission is monitoring the devices and ensuring they operate safely, and don’t interfere with other hospital equipment.
Earlier this month at a Black Hat security conference, a diabetic presented how he was able to hack into an insulin pump to control it remotely and change blood sugar readings. While I don’t see a lot of computer-whiz deranged spouses trying to kill their mates for insurance checks, the security flaw needs to be addressed, nonetheless.
From a mobile perspective, it’s easy to see how wireless technology can help the healthcare industry. Doctors and other staff using tablets to chart information, seek information and compile digital records makes sense. Inside the hospital, Distributed Antenna Systems are being deployed to enhance connectivity and add capacity both for patients and staff. Consumers can benefit from a mashup of wireless and healthcare as well, whether it is remote blood-pressure monitoring or pill reminders.
But there are challenges as well. This is the healthcare industry, which has to comply with a number of laws designed to not only keep individuals healthy, but to protect their privacy. There’s just a lot that could go wrong, so on this issue, it is probably right to err on the side of caution.