Ventilator risk management using a programmed monitor

A computer program was written to improve quality control and risk management of patients on ventilators. The software was designed to run on the new-generation Spacelabs PC Monitor interfaced to the Puritan-Bennett 7200a ventilator. Before the program allows connection of the ventilator to a patient, the ventilator is polled for initial hardware status, alarm statuses and alarm limit settings. If there are no hardware failures, alarm violations, or improperly set alarm limits, the program prompts the clinician to connect the ventilator to the patient. Polling is done periodically after patient ventilation begins, and patient data, alarm conditions, or changes to the ventilator settings are automatically written to disk. In addition, real-time data can be displayed at any time during the ventilation session by using a set of touch-screen options. After the ventilation session is complete, the clinician can print the final report in hard copy or to disk.