1. Alaris Pump Alarms Management
Decreasing IV Pump Operational Alarms
By Kelly Radtke, Clinical Quality Leader
Northwestern Medicine, Central DuPage Hospital
January 18, 2018

2. Alarms Management
Joint Commission National Patient Safety Goal #6

3. Alarms Management Description & Goal
Alarms are intended to alert clinicians to deviations from a predetermined normal status and there is a reliance on alarms from equipment to alert clinicians. Alarm fatigue may occur when the sheer number of device alarms overwhelms clinicians, possibly leading to alarms being disabled, silenced or ignored. This could delay action by the clinicians and compromise patient safety.
Our goal is to minimize the number of clinically insignificant or avoidable alarms, so the conditions that truly requires attention can better be recognized. In addition, optimize alarm initiation, notification, and response protocols, so that the patient receives the appropriate care at the time it’s needed.

4. Alarms Management Establishing a Foundation
Implemented a policy & procedure to comply with the alarms NPSG
Reviewed device inventory and established priorities
Defined functions of the Alarms Steering Committee
Established subgroups to address established priorities including
Telemetry
Peds Oximetry
Alaris Pumps
Bed & Chair
HUGS
Watchild

5. Alaris Pump Alarms Management
Alaris Alarms by Profile/Type

7. Alarms Management Achievements Identified champions
Rounded on units to assess challenges
Evaluated pump configurations
Completed conference call with Analytics & Epic to review available data and possible automated reports
Identified top 3 alarms to focus on in all care areas
Identified top drugs causing alarms and specifically top alarm air in line
Completed IV site audits and evaluated opportunities in ED & CT
Established analytics reports
Developed education plan, rolled out to staff, immediate, and long term
Incorporated education into orientation
Established as an annual competency
Posted tip sheets and posters on the units
Established online help access for users
Evaluated why staff are using unknown instead of selecting a drug (basic infusion)
Evaluated Amiodarone and IVIG opportunities
Implemented ongoing communication to nursing councils and unit meetings
Implemented monthly newsletter and tip of the month
Implemented inter-operability
Established ongoing unit accountability with PSL safety rounds (starting 1/18)
Pursuing data feed from Alaris

8. Alaris Pump Alarms Management
All Alaris Pump Alarms
** Interop prep and go live, P1 system medical record

9. Alaris Pump Alarms Management
Top 3 Alaris Alarms
** Goal – reduce by 10%

10. Alaris Pump Alarms Management
Patient Side Occlusion

11. Alaris Pump Alarms Management
Bolus Air in Line Alarms

12. Alaris Pump Alarms Management
Door Open Alaris Alarms

13. Alaris Pump Alarms Management
Alaris Alarms by Drug

14. Alaris Pump Alarms Management
Alaris Alarms by Shift/Day of Week

15. Alaris Pump Alarms Management
Alaris Alarms by Profile Type

16. Questions/Comments?