Those tiny wireless RFID chips that are revolutionizing the way shipping companies and retailers monitor inventories have also proven extremely useful for hospitals tracking expensive medical equipment(some hospitals are even implanting chips in patients that allow medical staff to instantly view a patient's medical history). But the Journal of the American Medical Association now warns that those radio frequency identification chips are potentially hazardous to patient care by interfering with electronic medical equipment. According to the Journal report, Danish researchers conducted 123 tests and found that the chips caused interference in one out of every six tests. Two of those instances were classified as having a "significant" adverse impact. "What an irony it is turning into that something that is designed to help may actually be adversely affecting patients," says Peter S. Vogel of Gardere Wynne Sewell LLP. "This revelation may lead to new personal injury litigation heretofore not identified. It is likely that courts will have trouble sorting the health benefits of RFID with the new-found risk to patients."[[page_break]] To interview Mr. Vogel about RFID issues, contact Rhonda Reddick at 800-559-4534 or rhonda@androvett.com.