JCAHO Goal 6 Improve the effectiveness of clinical alarm systems

Implement regular preventive maintenance and testing of alarm systems You now do the devices, how do you document the tests and who does the system alarms and where is the documentation?

Alarm settings Assure that alarms are activated with appropriate settings and are sufficiently audible with respect to distances and competing noise within the unit.

What alarms are we talking about? Monitors Ventilators IV pumps Support devices Compressed gases Air flow

What alarms are we not talking about Nurse call Panic buttons Abduction Property loss Switchboard connected alarms

What alarms can we ignore Alarms on devices that require an operator to be present Alarms that do not require human actions Alarms under the control of outside agencies

What needs to be done? Be sure your PM SOP’s have a statement on checking the alarms on devices Inform the Clinical Education department that they must include alarm training in their orientation and continuing education programs Document what you do

What needs to be done? II Train your staff on what alarms are important Write a department policy on alarms Be prepared to handle problems that others will not handle Be proactive not reactive

Problem Departments Respiratory General care units Special Care Nurseries Rehab floors

Conclusions This is a no win for the Biomeds All problems will become yours Get your policies in place quickly and make others follow you