COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS
Preventing unattended alarms leading to a crisis
Kevin Brown, managing director at BlueSky Wireless, and ICON’s Richard Salvage, highlight ‘the potentially catastrophic consequences’ of unattended alarms in healthcare. Here they explore why messaging, automation, and monitoring are crucial factors in mitigating risk.
In the high-stakes environment of UK hospitals, where every second counts, the role of a Building Management System (BMS) cannot be overstated. This sophisticated network of interconnected systems ensures the safety, health, and operational efficiency of hospital facilities. When these systems function correctly, they provide the backbone for seamless healthcare delivery. However, when they fail – especially when alarms go unattended – the consequences can be severe, and even life-threatening. The essence of a BMS lies in its ability to monitor and control various critical building functions, ranging from heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems to power supplies, medical gas systems, and fire safety protocols. The BMS generates alarms whenever an anomaly or failure occurs. These alarms can indicate anything from a minor inconvenience, like a non-critical system warning, to a dire emergency – such as a power outage in a critical care unit, where patients depend on life support systems. Ignoring or delaying the response to these alarms can lead to catastrophic outcomes, not only risking patient lives, but also threatening the hospital’s operational continuity and financial stability.
The traditional approach – a manual process rife with risks Despite the vital importance of these alarms, many hospitals continue to rely on outdated and manual processes to manage them. Traditionally, alarms generated by the BMS are displayed in a colour- coded list on a PC monitor located in the hospital’s switchboard room. Here, operators are tasked with the dual responsibility of answering calls and monitoring these alarms. This set-up places a significant burden on operators, who must continuously scan the monitor for new alerts while juggling other responsibilities. The potential for human error in such a system is high, as operators might overlook or delay the recognition of a critical alarm due to the sheer volume of tasks they manage. Once an operator identifies a high-priority alert, the
process of notifying the appropriate personnel begins. This typically involves making a phone call to the relevant individual or team, passing on a message that may contain minimal information due to the operator’s limited understanding of the situation. If the primary contact cannot be reached, the procedure dictates that the operator reviews the escalation protocol to find the next suitable recipient. This method is not only time-consuming, but also fraught with the potential for miscommunication, delays, and, in some cases, complete failure to notify the necessary personnel.
One of the standout features of the BlueSky Messaging System is its versatility in delivering messages. This flexibility is particularly important in hospital environments, where staff members are constantly on the move.
The manual process of alarm management is
inherently flawed. It relies heavily on the vigilance and efficiency of human operators, who are prone to fatigue and distraction. In busy hospital environments, where the volume of incoming calls and alarms can be overwhelming, the likelihood of an alarm being missed or inadequately addressed increases significantly. Furthermore, the manual process lacks the ability to provide real-time, detailed information about the nature of the alarm, leaving responders with little context to act swiftly and appropriately. In scenarios where time is of the essence – such as during a fire alarm or a power failure in a critical care unit – every second of delay in response can escalate the situation from manageable to disastrous. The absence of automated, reliable systems to manage these alarms not
October 2024 Health Estate Journal 73
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