Table 1. Clinical alarm scenarios that were programmed into the bedside monitors.

Detected Scenarios		Parameters	Limits/Trigger Time
(scenario name)	(detect what?)	(maximum of four)	(lower & upper violation for x seconds or relative triggers in % over a defined time in sec/min)
SVT + BP	onset of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation	HR (Pulse) ART sys Pulse (HR)	+40% within 59 sec -15% within 59 sec >110 bpm for 20 sec
Vtach + BP	Vtach with low blood pressure	HR (Pulse) PVC ARTsys Pulse (HR)	+30 bpm within 20 sec ***Vtach -30% within 20 sec >110 bpm for 10 sec
LV Shock	left ventricular shock	ARTsys CVPmean PAPdia Perf	<78 mmHg for 300 sec <16 mmHg for 300 sec >16 mmHg for 300 sec <1.2 for 300 sec
TPX & TPND	tamponade (obstructive shock)	ARTsys CVPmean Perf PAPdia	<78 mmHg for 180 sec >16 mmHg for 180 sec -20% within 3 min >16 mmHg for 180 sec
Hypovl	hypovolemia	ARTmean CVP Perf NIBPm	<50 mmHg for 300 sec <5 mmHg for 300 sec -20% within 120 sec/10 min <55 mmHg for 300 sec

1. SVT + BP – Supraventricular Tachycardia and Blood Pressure – This is intended to indicate high heart rate with low blood pressure, as frequently occurs in patients with Atrial fibrillation and a rapid ventricular rate. Tachycardia associated with hypertension, as commonly occurs with light sedation, would not trigger this alarm.

2. VTACH + BP – This is intended to indicate ventricular tachycardia with low blood pressure. This definition would be much less likely to be triggered by motion artifact than the EKG alarm is.

3. LV SHOCK – This is intended to detect Left ventricular failure (cardiogenic shock).

4. TPX & TPND – This is intended to detect either tamponade or tension pneumothorax.

5. HYPOVL – This is intended to indicate low blood pressure from hypovolemia.