PUBLIC NOTICE Federal Communications Commission 445 12th St., S.W. Washington, D.C. 20554 News Media Information 202 / 418-0500 Internet: http://www.fcc.gov TTY: 1-888-835-5322 DA 15-239 Released: February 20, 2015 FCC AND FDA TO HOLD JOINT WORKSHOP ON WIRELESS MEDICAL DEVICE TEST BEDS Washington, D.C. – On Tuesday, March 31, 2015, the Federal Communications Commission and the Food and Drug Administration will host a public workshop on the role of wireless medical test beds and their influence on the development of converged medical technology for clinical and non-clinical settings. A wireless test bed is an environment where devices can be evaluated across a range of interference scenarios. As the rapid pace of innovation blurs traditional boundaries between consumer health technology, medical devices, and communications, the agencies seek to better understand how wireless test beds can be used and configured to meet the challenges and to take advantage of the opportunities this convergence presents. Consumers are increasingly using wireless health and care management tools at home; indeed, the emergence of the “hospital in the home” concept opens new areas of medical technology innovation that must take into account the need for wireless co-existence. The workshop is another step in the ongoing FDA/FCC collaboration and leadership in promoting innovative medical technologies and is being organized by the Connect2HealthFCC Task Force, the FCC Office of Engineering and Technology, and the FDA Center for Devices and Radiologic Health. Topics may include the need for and scope of wireless medical device test beds, an overview of current public and private test bed programs and initiatives, a discussion of ideal features, functions and gaps of such programs, and how best to drive innovation and safe co-existence of wireless medical technologies. What: Promoting Medical Technology Innovation – The Role of Wireless Test Beds When: 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. EDT Tuesday, March 31, 2015 Where: FCC Commission Meeting Room 445 12th Street, S.W. Washington, D.C. 20554 *Registration is strongly encouraged. The event is free and open to the public. An agenda, providing additional details about the workshop, including participants and issues to be discussed, will be released at a later date. Details also will be posted on http://www.fcc.gov/health. The FCC and FDA encourage the participation of a broad range of stakeholders, including device manufacturers, health care facilities and clinicians, test labs, standard-setting bodies, innovators, patient safety groups, researchers, and entrepreneurs, among others. The agencies also seek public input regarding questions for workshop participants. Suggested questions can be e-mailed in advance to testbeds@fcc.gov noting “Workshop Questions” in the subject line. Questions during the workshop will also be taken through e-mail and Twitter. The FCC will attempt to accommodate as many attendees as possible; however, admittance will be limited to seating availability. Registration is strongly encouraged, but not required. To register and get on our e-mail list for the event, please e-mail testbeds@fcc.gov with “Registration” in the subject line and provide your name, organization affiliation and contact information. A free webcast of the live event, with open captioning over the Internet, will be available at FCC.gov/live. Reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities are available upon request. Include a description of the accommodation and contact information in case we need more information. Make your request as early as possible by sending an e-mail to fcc504@fcc.gov or calling the Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau at (202) 418-0530 (voice), (202) 418-0432 (TTY). For additional registration or logistical information, please contact Shannon Hyatt by e-mail at testbeds@fcc.gov or by phone at (202) 418-1887. Please direct press inquiries to Katie Gorscak, Connect2HealthFCC Task Force, FCC, at (202) 418-2156 or katie.gorscak@fcc.gov; and to Andrea Fischer, Office of Media Affairs, FDA, at (301) 796-0393 or andrea.fischer@fda.hhs.gov. - FCC-