Problem Description
IP Required: Tanner Health System IP
Experience Required: Mechanical Design, Software and Electrical Engineering
Improving the alarm system on medical infusion pumps
Infusion pumps are one of the most common devices used in hospitals. They are used to deliver fluids and medications. These infusion pumps function by a simple pump mechanism. When there is a problem in pump function (like air in the line or occlusion etc.), an alarm is sounded that alert the nursing staff on the ward to resolve whatever problem is occurring with the infusion pumps. This alarm can be heard by patients and nursing staff. The problem is that this alarm very loud and they interrupt patient’s sleep and usually is very anxiety provoking to the patients. While it is very important for nursing staff to hear this alarm, but patients do not necessarily need to be bothered by this alarm. During my daily rounding, I hear complaints from patients everyday about the alarm and how it interrupts their day.
What I propose in this project is to redesign only this alarm system so that it is not sounded in patient’s room to interrupt their day. On the other hand, the alarm should be directly communicated to nursing staff so patients can get the needed attention. I am not looking to redesign the whole infusion pump but just the alarm portion. Also, design team can consider adding option of choosing different kinds of alarm tones that may be more pleasing to the nursing staff. Other optional design option could include better ways for alarm to be communicated with nursing staff using current communication technology, depending on how much time students have during the semester (this is optional).
References:
- Waterson J, Bedner A. Types and Frequency of Infusion Pump Alarms and Infusion-Interruption to Infusion-Recovery Times for Critical Short Half-Life Infusions: Retrospective Data Analysis. JMIR Hum Factors. 2019 Aug 12;6(3):e14123.
doi: 10.2196/14123
URL: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6709565/
- Yu D, Obuseh M, DeLaurentis P. Quantifying the Impact of Infusion Alerts and Alarms on Nursing Workflows: A Retrospective Analysis. Appl Clin Inform. 2021 May;12(3):528-538.
doi: 10.1055/s-0041-1730031
