Alarms in the intensive care unit: how can the number of false alarms be reduced?

Table 1 Classification of alarms according to the existing standards

Type of alarm	Alarm category	Note	Standard
Electric or pneumatic failure	High priority		EN 794-1 [12]
FI_O2 high or low	At least medium priority	Is applicable as soon as O₂ concentration is	EN 794-1
		different from that of ambient air
Paw high	High priority		EN 794-1
VE low^* or VT low^*	At least medium priority		EN 794-1
Apnoea	At least medium priority		EN 794-1
Disconnection	At least medium priority	Could be detected for example from a low Paw,	EN 794-1
		a low ET_CO2 and a low tidal volume
Continuous pressure	High priority	Is relative to a continuous pressure kept over a	EN 794-1
		given limit during more than 15 ± 1.5 s
ET_CO2
High	Medium priority		EN 864 [14]
Low	Medium priority		EN 864
FI_CO2 high	Medium priority		EN 864
Sp_O2
High	No priority indicated	For neonatology	EN 865 [15]
Low	No priority indicated		EN 865
Sensor failure	Low or medium priority		EN 865

^*According to these standards, except for the ventilators used in neonatology, the measurement of expiratory tidal volume (VT) or minute ventilation (VE) must be provided. Only the parameters and events listed in the standards are reported here. The values of high and low alarm limits are set by the medical staff. An alarm of high priority implies an immediate response from the staff; an alarm of medium priority implies a prompt response from the staff; an alarm of low priority is used to attract staff's attention. ET_CO2, end tidal CO₂; FI_CO2, concentration of carbon dioxide during inspiration; FI_O2, concentration of dioxygen during inspiration; Paw, airway pressure; Sp_O2, saturation of oxyhemoglobin determined by pulse oximetry.

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