Initiate the Alarm

In this article

• Introduction
• Initiating the Alarm
• Alarm Documentation
• Edit an Alarm
• Alarm in Multi-user Environment

Introduction

The bedside alarm is designed to be integrated with the Nurse Call system (e.g. Rauland). It is activated by the Virtual Monitoring Tech when immediate bedside attention is necessary.

Initiating the Alarm

• Initiating the alarm is appropriate when verbal interventions from the virtual monitor are not effective in keeping the patient safe.
• Some examples may include:
  • Getting out of bed unassisted
  • Pulling at their lines
  • Injecting something that is not authorized
  • Any unsafe behaviors that need immediate in-room attention

• Because initiating the alarm is a significant event, a pop-up will open for you to confirm (or cancel) the Alarm.

• When initiating the Alarm, you will see a red banner on the patient's video block indicating the alarm was activated.
• The indicator will persist until the Alarm documentation is complete or the monitoring session is stopped
• If more than one patient requires an Alarm, you can initiate multiple alarms as needed and document all events once the patient is safe

Alarm Documentation

• Once confirming the alarm, a sidebar will open with an alarm form to be completed
• Complete this AFTER the patient is safe with local staff support in the room
• You can minimize the sidebar and reopen it once the emergency is over

• When able, document all required fields in the sidebar
  • Category
    • Assisted fall
    • Unassisted fall
    • Elopement
    • Line, tube, or drain dislodgement
    • Verbal Abuse
    • Physical Abuse
    • Seizure Activity
    • Intentional Self Harm
    • Suicide
    • Other
  • Event Resolution Type
    • Adverse Event - Prevented: your actions and the alarm prevented the outcome (ie. you were able to keep them in bed and a nurse arrived before the patient fell)
    • Adverse Event - Occurred: despite your best actions, the adverse event still happened (ie. the patient fell)
    • Note: other situation
  • Description: describe to the best of your ability the event without casting blame or responsibility. Document the facts, the actions, and the outcomes.

Edit an Alarm

You are the Original Author of the Alarm

• You can edit the alarm documentation If you are the original author of the Alarm entry
• When editing, you can change the Category, Description, and Event resolution type, but not the Time
• To edit, hover over the Alarm entry and click the "pencil" icon in the top right corner

• This will open the Alarm window for any necessary changes

• You can see the history of edits/changes by clicking on the Alarm entry again.

You are not the Original Author of the Alarm

• It may be necessary for a manager to correct an entry from a user. If the user/manager has the proper access, they can make the edit for the user.
• Users with the “Manage Video Monitoring > Edit any patient monitoring event” privilege can edit Alarm and Event entries for all other users.
• All edits will be noted by the date/time of the edit and the person making the edit.

Alarm in Multi-user Environment

• When a user initiates an Alarm, the alarm Indicator will only activate for all users who have access to the patient’s Hospital
• This is helpful to see that intervention is being provided and if more support if needed