Masimo Advanced Alarm Performance: An Evidence-Based Approach to Reduce False Alarms and Nuisance Alarms.
Masimo Corporation
Abstract
ECRI Institute has identified nuisance alarms as one of the top technology hazards in hospitals today. While responding to actionable alarms is critical to prevent patient injury or death, the frequency of false and nuisance alarms can increase workload and desensitize clinicians to all alarms, putting patients at significant risk. Alarms can be placed into three categories: True alarms—alarms which require clinician notification and potential intervention; false alarms— alarms that occur due to incorrect SpO2 or pulse rate values; or nuisance alarms—true alarms that do not require clinician notification and intervention. Multiple studies have established Masimo SET Measure-through Motion and Low Perfusion pulse oximetry as the gold standard with true alarm sensitivity of 95% and false alarm reduction of 97%. Masimo SET provides a solid foundation upon which to separate actionable alarms from nuisance alarms. While Masimo believes that all true alarms are potentially actionable, we also believe in empowering clinicians to create alarm settings that reduce the frequency of nuisance alarms, depending on the care area, patient population, and individual patient.