"I think manufacturers recognize the importance [of effective alarms] as much as clinicians do," says Davis-Smith.

As the health care industry gets more technologically advanced, Keller says the technological hazards increase.


"The number of medical device-related hazards and alerts has gone up pretty significantly in the last 10 years," he says.

In 2000 there were about 250 medical device alerts; last year there were more than 2,000.

"Technology has become more and more complex," Keller explains. "With more features, there are more things that can go wrong."

On the other hand, medical technology has gotten a lot better, which has significantly improved patient care, creating a bit of a catch-22.

"We can't ignore the fact that with these new features, come new hazards," he reiterates. "Hospitals need to include safety management of technology as part of their operations."

As technology, especially monitor alarms, moves into the house for at-home patient use, there is a growing concern for patient safety because of the lack of trained support in the home. The technology, whether it is ventilators, oxygen machines, infusion pumps or monitoring devices, is left with the patient with little technical support.

"It's a problem waiting to happen," says Keller.

What needs to happen to avoid adverse patient safety events, experts say, is to offer training for handling medical technology, in addition to budgeting for technology safety.

"This isn't done as routinely as you would think," says Keller. "If you don't [budget] there's a good chance it won't happen."

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