Intermountain has had some recent reports of mechanically ventilated patients’ circuits becoming disconnected with no notification by the secondary alerting system, which is through Vocera.
How does this happen? To meet the ventilator demand during the pandemic, several non-ICU patient beds have been converted to ICU ventilator-approved beds. Sometimes, these rooms may not be equipped with the correct wiring for the mechanical ventilator secondary alarm system. Rental mechanical ventilators may also not be equipped to connect to the secondary alarm system.
Remember, hearing ventilator alarms is challenging with patients on airborne precautions. Additionally, the secondary alarm that comes across through the Vocera system may not be reliably alert if a patient has a tracheostomy, is on a CPAP, or is in spontaneous mode of ventilation.
How to ensure you keep your patient safe:
- Minimize noise wherever possible. Be attentive to your surroundings by utilizing the error prevention technique STAR.
- Frequently check on ventilated patients in the converted beds and with rental ventilators.
- Ensure the alarm volumes are at the maximum volume every shift.
- Use a tracheostomy suction catheter with a T-piece adaptor with those patients who have a tracheostomy.