• Elena Bergon-Sendin, Carmen Perez-Grande, David Lora-Pablos, Javier De la Cruz Bertolo, María Teresa Moral-Pumarega, Gerardo Bustos-Lozano, and Carmen Rosa Pallas-Alonso.
• Department of Neonatology, 12 de Octubre University Hospital, Biomedical Research Institute i+12, Madrid, Spain.
• Biomed Res Int. 2015 Jan 1; 2015: 719497.

BackgroundRandom safety audits (RSAs) are a safety tool but have not been widely used in hospitals.ObjectivesTo determine the frequency of proper use of equipment safety mechanisms in relation to monitoring and mechanical ventilation by performing RSAs. The study also determined whether factors related to the patient, time period, or characteristics of the area of admission influenced how the device safety systems were used.MethodsA prospective observational study was conducted in a level III-C Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) during 2012. 87 days were randomly selected. Appropriate overall use was defined when all evaluated variables were correctly programmed in the audited device.ResultsA total of 383 monitor and ventilator audits were performed. The Kappa coefficient of interobserver agreement was 0.93. The rate of appropriate overall use of the monitors and respiratory support equipment was 33.68%. Significant differences were found with improved usage during weekends, OR 1.85 (1.12-3.06, p = 0.01), and during the late shift (3 pm to 10 pm), OR 1.59 (1.03-2.4, p = 0.03).ConclusionsEquipment safety systems of monitors and ventilators are not properly used. To improve patient safety, we should identify which alarms are really needed and where the difficulties lie for the correct alarm programming.

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