The Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH) has been concerned about electromagnetic interference (EMI) with wireless medical telemetry for several years. This concern was heightened in March of 1998 when the telemetry systems in two Dallas hospitals were disrupted by the test broadcast of a nearby digital TV (DTV) signal. CDRH responded by issuing a Safety Alert and joining with the Federal Communications Commissioner (FCC) to reach out to medical telemetry users, TV broadcasters, and device manufacturers in an effort to coordinate and avoid more such incidents. CDRH partnered with the American Hospital Association (AHA) Task Group on Medical Telemetry (clinical and manufacturer members) and the FCC, to develop solutions. This group formulated recommendations for a new Wireless Medical Telemetry Service (WMTS) and petitioned FCC. With FDA support, the FCC formally established the WMTS in June 2000 that for the first time provides medical telemetry with its own spectrum and use rules designed to reduce the potential for EMI to these vital signals. The WMTS represents an opportunity to drastically reduce the risk of patient consequences from EMI with wireless medical telemetry.