Connecticut Medical Malpractice: 3 Ways Patient Alarms Can Be Missed

If you or a loved one has ever had a stay in a hospital, you know that hospitals use alarms to monitor patients and technology is being utilized more frequently. The Joint Commission reports that 69% of accidental death and injuries in a hospital setting are due to communication breakdowns. Patient alarms fall into that category.

The following areas are ways patient alarms can be be missed and can cause significant permanent injury:

1. Bed exit alarms. These alarms alert hospital and nursing staff when a patient has fallen.
2. Pain assessment reminders. These reminders help healthcare providers assess pain in a timely manner to help prevent painkiller overuse.
3. Alarm fatigue. Alarm fatigue is when hospital workers are tasked to respond to patient alarm signals. It is estimated that 85-90% of alarms do not need any intervention. Prioritizing alarms could combat this issue.

If you or your loved one had a hospital stay and staff did not swiftly and properly respond to an alert that caused a significant, permanent injury, call our firm immediately. Our Connecticut medical malpractice team comprises a doctor/attorney, Bob Messey, and a nurse/attorney, Gayle Sullivan, along with several experienced litigators.