Instructions for Use | Alarms and System Messages
Testing Alarms
60
Prescription Alarm Availability by Therapy Mode
Most alarms operate regardless of the therapy mode being delivered. However, certain alarms operate only when certain therapy modes are being
delivered.
The chart below lists those alarms and the therapy modes in which the alarms are available.
Alarm
A/C-PC
A/C-VC
CPAP
PSV
S/T
SIMV-PC
SIMV-VC
Apnea
(requires Backup Ventilation)
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Circuit Disconnect
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
High Tidal Volume
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Low Tidal Volume
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
High Minute Ventilation
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Low Minute Ventilation
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
High Respiratory Rate
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Low Respiratory Rate
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
High Inspiratory Pressure
X
X
Low Inspiratory Pressure
X
X
High SpO
2
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Low SpO
2
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
High Pulse Rate
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Low Pulse Rate
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
High etCO
2
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Low etCO
2
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
High FiO
2
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Low FiO
2
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Testing Alarms
Test alarms any time you make a significant change to the system.
Testing Circuit Disconnection Alarms
For ventilator-dependent patients, do not rely on any single alarm to detect when a circuit is disconnected. One or more of the following alarms
may indicate a disconnected circuit.
-
Circuit Disconnected
-
Low Tidal Volume
-
Low Minute Ventilation
-
Low Respiratory Rate
-
Low Peak Inspiratory Pressure alarms (user settable for volume modes)
-
Leakage alarm (Active PAP circuit only)
To test that these alarms detect a circuit disconnection:
1.
Ensure that the patient is connected to the ventilator and that ventilation is stabilized. Ensure that none of the alarms above are active.
2.
Disconnect the circuit at the patient end of the circuit. Remove the leak device (passive circuits) and any humidifiers or ot
her circuit
accessories at the patient end of the circuit. Only the circuit tube should remain.
3.
Confirm that one or more of the above-listed alarms activate.
4.
Reconnect the circuit and confirm that any active alarm automatically resets.
Testing Circuit Obstruction Alarms
For ventilator-dependent patients, do not rely on any single alarm to detect when a circuit is obstructed. One or more of the following alarms may
indicate an obstructed circuit.
-
Obstruction
-
High Inspiratory Pressure
