User's Manual

ECG
8-13
Setting and Adjusting Alarms
ECG alarms default to the ON position when the module is inserted into a monitor
that is powered ON. Events that can cause an ECG alarm include:
• High or low rate
• Ventricular fibrillation (VFIB)
• Asystole
Additional conditions which can cause an alarm with the Multiview I or II options
include:
• Abnormals in a row (couplets or runs)
• Abnormals per minute
• Tachycardia (of supraventricular origin)
Refer to Arrhythmia on page 9-3 for details concerning arrhythmia alarms or to ST
Analysis on page 10-3 for details concerning ST alarms.
Initial Alarm Limits for Heart Rate
At the completion of a learn sequence (refer to Learning the Dominant Waveform
on page 9-4), the rate alarm limits are initialized using fixed or learned criteria.
When you change the adult/neonate configuration, the system changes the alarm
limits accordingly. You can adjust these limits up or down as needed.
WARNING:
• If ECG monitoring is interrupted and subsequently resumed
during an asystole event, 5- to 6-seconds will elapse prior
to the monitor sounding and displaying the Asystole alarm.
• If ECG monitoring is initiated during an asystole event, 10-
to 11-seconds will elapse prior to the monitor sounding and
displaying an Asystole alarm.
!
• If the alarm limit for high rate, low rate, abnormals per minute
(A/M) or abnormals in a row (ROW) is displayed in reverse
video, this is an indication that alarm tone, alarm recording, and
alarm watch have been disabled for the indicated alarm.
To set or adjust rate alarms:
1 Touch ECG.
2 Touch ALARM LIMITS.
3 Touch ALARMS ON.
4 Touch HI = or LO = key.
5 Use arrow keys to adjust.