Clinical Alarms

APSF is pleased that the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) and the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA) have incorporated the use of audible physiologic alarms (pulse oximetry and capnography) into their standards for intraoperative monitoring.  APSF introduced this safety initiative with a conference held on October 22, 2004 in Las Vegas, Nevada.  Based on this conference, the APSF Executive Committee made recommendations regarding audible alarms for consideration by those organizations that produce standards, guidelines and practice advisories in anesthesia (see the Winter 2004-2005 issue of the APSF Newsletter).  The result of this APSF recommendation was incorporation of audible physiologic alarms as part of intraoperative monitoring by those organizations representing the anesthesia professional.  For wording of the monitoring standards and audible alarms, visit the website of ASA (asah.org) and AANA (aana.com). 

Alarm Workshop