This forward-looking assessment allowed for bi-directional communications on separate frequencies, thus potentially opening the future for monitoring patients and treating them via patient-attached medical devices. In addition, the Task Group recognized the continuing need to coordinate use of the frequencies to avoid conflict within and without a hospital. In some urban areas around the U.S., there are several health care facilities using medical telemetry that are located within a short distance of each other. This is especially problematic in the northeastern U.S., where more than 1000 patients may be monitored within a mile of each other. The FCC has commonly used a Frequency Coordinator to oversee the use of various radiotransmission- frequency spectra. Thus, the recommendations included a frequency coordinator for the wireless medical telemetry.