From the August 2016 issue of HealthCare Business News magazine
Alarm management:
Alarm management continues to be an ongoing problem for hospitals and health systems, and currently, the Joint Commission does not specify how best to achieve patient safety goals related to alarm management. It also does not specify or endorse a specific process or model, though various models exist that have guided facilities in framing their process to improve alarm management. These models include guidance on how to determine, apply, manage and measure the effectiveness of alarm settings embedded in medical devices.
However, due to a lack of evidence-based data, improvements are difficult to quantify and sustain. Changes in alarm settings are difficult to measure because capturing data is labor intensive and potentially costly when opting to integrate middleware. There is also little data to support staff in making decisions related to customizing alarm parameters.
The good news is that technology is emerging to capture alarm data to make patient care environments safer through an evidence-based approach. This new technology also has the capability to transfer alarm data directly to the caregiver for immediate awareness and action. These alarm metrics allow the multidisciplinary team to make evidence-based recommendations for changes in standardized alarm settings, which will, of course, vary by clinical unit.
However, technology is not the only component of alarm management. Major sociotechnical and cultural differences exist among health care providers, clinical support staff, patients and departments, such as biomedical engineering and IT. The Joint Commission expects hospitals to provide a systemic and multidisciplinary approach in framing and sustaining alarm management. Engagement and commitment at all levels of the organization, starting with executive leadership, are necessary for an effective alarm management program to flourish.
Lidia Chelkowska, BSN, RN
Bridging health care technology management (HTM) with IT and risk management:
The integration and interoperability of medical devices have created a need for an HTM-IT collaboration. Historically, these two have been separate and independent departments. With the increased complexity of medical device design and functionality, it is impossible to delegate the maintenance and repair to just one discipline. Biomedical engineers must have at least basic IT knowledge, and IT teams must be willing to take initiative to assist and guide the clinical engineers. Although there are college degrees available that combine the HTM and IT skill set, until these hybrids fully replace the current workforce, a new kind of working relationship and cultural change must take place to ensure a high-quality, cost-efficient and timely workflow to help improve patient safety.
