Responding to alarms

Muting the sound alarms, worrying about the need to re-enable it

The usability failure mode

Recommended protection

Validation

Distraction

The sound alarm might disturb the treatment

Muting

In order to enable the medical staff concentrate and focus on the patient condition, they should be able to mute the sound alarm.

Usability testing in training mode

Improper muting

The international standard allows having the following functions that result in muting the alarm:

  • Alarm Off
  • Alarm Paused
  • Audio Off
  • Audio Paused
  • Setting extreme limits

The user might choose the wrong option, resulting in undesired behavior of the alarm system.

Consistent muting

Only one feature should be provided for muting, ensuring consistency.

To prevent hasty settings of the alarm limits, the setting operation should be easier than silencing the alarm.

Functional testing

By inspection of the user interface