Alarm-enhancement systems for ventilators

Ventilator alarms can be crucial for safeguarding the health and even the lives of patients. Therefore, it's vital that they--like other critical alarms--be readily detected in even the busiest, noisiest hospital departments. One way to make sure that this happens is to use alarm-enhancement systems, which communicate ventilator alarms to locations where they are more likely to be detected by caregivers. There are four basic categories of ventilator alarm enhancements: (1) interfacing ventilators with networked physiologic monitors, (2) incorporating commercially available systems for centralized remote monitoring of ventilator alarms, (3) interfacing ventilators with nurse call systems, and (4) utilizing remote annunciators for ventilator alarms. These options range widely in complexity, cost, and the types of care settings for which they're likely to be suitable. In this article, we describe the ventilator alarm-enhancement systems that are currently on the market. We highlight their pluses and minuses based on information we have gained from product literature, through conversations with suppliers, and, where possible, through discussions with users. We also provide guidance to facilities on how to choose among the various options and products available.