Idea Exchange: Sometimes a phone ringing during surgery is OK

When assisting with anesthesia and surgery, our technician sets her cell phone, which is in her pocket, to vibrate every five minutes. The phone serves as her silent, nondisruptive reminder to check the patient's pulse, respiration, and mucous membrane color. Although the patient is attached to a monitor, there is no substitute for the hands-on approach.

Dr. Meghan Carboni

Detroit, Mich.