Definition 3.23 – INFORMATION SIGNAL

ALARM SIGNALS are only generated because of the presence of ALARM CONDITIONS. In contrast, INFORMATION SIGNALS are those which are generated regardless of whether or not an ALARM CONDITION is present, e.g. the tone of the pulse oximeter, the tone of the electrocardiograph, the waveform of the electrocardiograph, the heart rate numeric. INFORMATION SIGNALS are independent of ALARM CONDITIONS, although INFORMATION SIGNALS can frequently convey information that is “alarming” to the OPERATOR.

עדיף לדרוש שאותות אלו ישמעו אך ורק במצבי התרעה, ולא באופן שוטף, על מנת להמנע מהצפת המשתמש בהתרעות טורדניות.

EXAMPLE 1 The decreasing tonal frequency of the auditory INFORMATION SIGNAL of some pulse oximeters. The decreased tone is “alarming” to the OPERATOR, but in itself is not an ALARM SIGNAL.

EXAMPLE 2 An electrocardiograph waveform indicating ventricular fibrillation.

EXAMPLE 3 A heart rate of 20 beats per minute.