Physiological Alarm Control Using Frequency and Invalidity Thresholds
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing alarm systems in patient monitors generate numerous unnecessary alarms due to sensor noise and frequent short-time events, leading to staff fatigue and potential neglect of critical alerts, and existing solutions like alarm delay processes are complex and ineffective.
Innovation Solution
An alarm control system that generates first and second alarm signals based on message signals and measurement value validity, using threshold-based frequency and duration criteria to selectively output integrated alarms, reducing unnecessary notifications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If alarm delay process is used to mask alarms for predetermined time, then the number of unnecessary alarms is reduced, but critical short-time alarms may be missed and staff fatigue increases
Solution Approach 1:
The alarm delay time is dynamically adjusted based on the frequency of alarm occurrences. When alarms occur frequently within a predetermined period, the delay time is extended to filter out noise. When alarms are infrequent, the delay time is reduced to ensure critical alarms are not missed. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between filtering unnecessary alarms and detecting critical ones.
Solution Approach 2:
The system monitors the frequency of alarm occurrences and uses this feedback to automatically adjust the alarm delay time. The control unit counts alarms within a predetermined period and modifies the delay parameter accordingly, creating a closed-loop system that adapts to the actual alarm environment and resolves the contradiction between reducing noise and maintaining reliability.
2Measurement precision
If multiple sensors and medical devices are attached to patient, then comprehensive physiological monitoring is achieved, but the number of alarms increases and staff becomes fatigued
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges multiple alarm signals from different sensors and devices into a unified alarm management system. The control unit integrates alarm information from various sources, applies unified delay processing, and manages alarm output centrally. This consolidation maintains comprehensive monitoring capability while reducing the overall alarm burden on staff.
Solution Approach 2:
The alarm control system automatically manages and filters alarms without requiring staff intervention. The control unit autonomously processes alarm signals, applies delay filtering based on frequency analysis, and determines which alarms to output. This self-service approach reduces staff workload while maintaining monitoring effectiveness.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If alarm delay time is extended to reduce unnecessary alarms, then alarm noise is reduced, but response time to critical conditions is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The alarm delay time is dynamically adjusted based on the frequency of alarm occurrences. When alarms occur frequently within a predetermined period, the delay time is extended to filter out noise. When alarms are infrequent, the delay time is reduced to ensure critical alarms are not missed. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between filtering unnecessary alarms and detecting critical ones.
Solution Approach 2:
The system periodically evaluates alarm frequency within predetermined time windows and adjusts the delay parameter accordingly. This periodic assessment allows the system to adapt to changing conditions while maintaining appropriate response times. The periodic nature ensures that the system can switch between filtering mode and rapid response mode as needed.
Data Source
AI summary
An alarm control system includes an obtaining unit configured to obtain a message signal related to measurement of physiological information and an output value of the physiological information, a first alarm signal generator configured to generate a first alarm signal based on the message signal related to the measurement, a second alarm signal generator configured to generate a second alarm signal based on at least one of the message signal related to the measurement or a period in which a measurement value is invalid, the period being calculated based on the output value of the physiological information, and an output controller configured to perform control to output the first alarm signal and the second alarm signal.