Method for automatic setting time varying parameter alert and alarm limits
When monitoring physiological parameters (e.g., blood pressure, heart rate, etc.) of a patient, a threshold limit ( 30 ) is set (e.g., automatically or manually) and the monitored parameter is continuously compared to the threshold limit, which may be constant or may vary with time. An alarm ( 36 ) is triggered if the monitored parameter exceeds the threshold limit at any time, or if the monitored parameter has not reached a target value by the end of a predefined time period by which an administered drug or therapy should have been effective.
1. A method of providing a time-varying physiological parameter alert, comprising:
monitoring, via one or more sensors, a physiologic parameter, patient data, or clinical information of a patient; and
via a processor programmed to perform the following:
comparing the monitored physiologic parameter, patient data, or clinical information to an initial threshold criteria;
following a drug administration, intervention or therapy administration event, temporarily changing the initial threshold criteria to a worsened condition threshold criteria that permits worsening of the monitored parameter for a duration of an allotted time period and to a post-administration threshold criteria after the allotted time period;
determining whether the drug or therapy administration event is known to impact the monitored parameter by evaluating historical information about patient physiology lab study and alarm history;
during the allotted time period, comparing the monitored parameter to the worsened condition threshold criteria when the drug or therapy administration event is known to impact the monitored parameter;
after the allotted time period, comparing the monitored parameter to the post-administration threshold criteria; and
in response to the monitored parameter violating one or more of the initial threshold criteria, the worsened condition threshold criteria, and the post-administration threshold criteria, triggering an alarm.
2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the worsened condition threshold criteria is constant.
3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the worsened condition threshold criteria diminishes to the post-administration target level in a plurality of steps.
4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the worsened condition threshold criteria is varied with time.
5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the worsened condition threshold criteria follows a monotonically decreasing or increasing curve, or an exponentially increasing or decreasing time function.
6. The method according to claim 1 , further including:
triggering an alert when the monitored parameter is not improved at the expiration of the allotted time period.
7. The method according to claim 1 , further including determining whether the drug or therapy administration event is known to impact the monitored parameter by evaluating at least one of:
available physiological patient information; and
knowledge of administration or an intervention event that affects patient physiology.
8. The method according to claim 1 , the monitored parameter including at least one of:
ST segment elevation or depression;
blood pressure;
heart rate;
blood-oxygen level;
respiratory rate; and
blood-metabolite level.
9. A non-transitory computer-readable medium carrying software for controlling the processor to configure and perform the method of claim 1 .
10. The method according claim 1 , wherein a notification of the drug administration, intervention or therapy administration event is manually input by a user.
11. The method according claim 1 , where a notification of the drug administration, intervention or therapy administration event is automated.
12. A system that provides a time-varying physiological parameter alert to a user; comprising:
one or more sensors that monitor a physiological parameter of a patient;
a processor programmed to:
receive one or more of patient data, clinical lab data, and monitored data or measurements that describe the physiological parameter;
compare the monitored parameter to an initial threshold criteria;
following a drug administration, intervention or therapy administration event, temporarily change the initial threshold criteria to a worsened condition threshold criteria that permits worsening of the monitored parameter for a duration of an allotted time period and to a post-administration threshold criteria after the allotted time period;
determine whether the drug or therapy administration event is known to impact the monitored parameter by evaluating historical information about patient physiology lab study and alarm history;
during the allotted time period, compare the monitored parameter to the worsened condition threshold criteria when the drug or therapy administration event is known to impact the monitored parameter;
after the allotted time period, compare the monitored parameter to the post-administration threshold criteria; and
in response to the monitored parameter violating one or more of the initial threshold criteria, the worsened condition threshold criteria, and the post-administration threshold criteria, trigger an alarm.
13. The system according to claim 12 , wherein the worsened condition threshold criteria is constant.
14. The system according to claim 12 , wherein the worsened condition threshold criteria diminishes or increases to the post-administration target level in a plurality of steps.
15. The system according to claim 12 , wherein the worsened condition threshold criteria is varied with time.
16. The system according to claim 12 , wherein the worsened condition threshold criteria follows a continuous curve, or an exponentially increasing or decreasing time function.
17. The system according to claim 12 , wherein the processor triggers an alert when the monitored parameter is not improved at the expiration of the allotted time period.
18. The system according to claim 12 , wherein the processor determines whether the drug or therapy administration event is known to impact the monitored parameter by evaluating at least one of:
available physiological patient information; and
knowledge of medicinal administration or an intervention event that affects patient physiology.
19. The system according to claim 12 , the monitored parameter including at least one of:
ST segment elevation or depression;
blood pressure;
heart rate;
blood-oxygen level;
respiratory rate; and
blood-metabolite level.
20. The system according to claim 12 , further including a user interface including:
a display on which monitored parameter information is presented to the user along with threshold limit information; and
an input device by which the user sets at least one threshold limit.
21. The system according claim 12 , wherein a notification of the drug administration, intervention or therapy administration event is manually input by a user.
22. The system according claim 12 , wherein a notification of the drug administration, intervention or therapy administration event is automated.