Development of a System to Support Operators When a Ventilator Alarm Happens

ABSTRACT

Objective: This paper researches the behavior of ventilator operators from a cognitive perspective. Especially, based on the performance of the operator when an alarm happens, the system is built to support the operator’s decisions. Introduction: Because of Covid-19, more operators were needed who could correctly operate the ventilator. Even inexperienced operators might operate the ventilator. Therefore, training support systems such as simulators that could simulate alarm situations are needed to train operators of the ventilator. An Operations Information Screen (OIS) was created that included logical decisions. The OIS is used to investigate the behavior of the inexperienced operators during ventilator alarms. Methods: The participants are the seven the IG operators in the previous study. The IG operator’s behavior during a ventilator alarm using the OIS is video recorded. The verbal protocol data are also recorded to examine the thinking during the manipulation. After the experiment, the video recordings were reviewed with the participants and interviewed about the reasons for their speeches and behaviors. Results: From the analysis of the behavior and the verbal protocol, it was found to be a logical behavior. And, there was no behavior based on assumptions. An inexperienced operator could use the OIS to experience and learn the decisions of a skilled operator. The OIS could be used for education and training to learn the operating procedures performed by skilled operators in a short period of time. Applications The results of this study are for alarms with machine side factors. Currently, the operators’ behavior is being analyzed for alarms caused by patient changes, and the OIS is being developed. © 2022, Springer Nature Switzerland AG.