Clinical alarm systems testing--a program assessment model

One health care system developed a clinical alarm systems testing program in an effort to meet the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations' national patient safety goal related to improving the effectiveness of clinical alarm systems. It is imperative that all staff members are aware of the importance of clinical alarms and are prepared to deal with an alarm that is sounding. This article defines clinical alarms and clinical alarm systems, provides recommendations for developing and designing a clinical alarm systems testing program, and presents a format for a clinical alarm systems testing program.