An evaluation of ventilator monitoring alarms

Thirteen commercially available ventilator monitoring alarms supplied by the distributors were evaluated. It was decided that devices with no power failure precautions or unprotected variable controls could not be recommended for general use. By these criteria only two devices could be recommended for general use as ventilator alarms and a further three as disconnect alarms; in each instance these recommendations are subject to certain reservations and suggested modifications. A ventilator alarm should be regularly serviced and checked before use and should be not used by anyone unfamiliar with the applications or limitations of that particular device.