Silencing the Chaos
A New Approach to Alarm Configuration in Intensive Care through Interface Design
I. Boelhouwer (TU Delft - Industrial Design Engineering)
E Ozcan – Graduation committee member (TU Delft - Perceptual Intelligence)
L. Goto – Mentor (TU Delft - Human Factors)
Erik Koomen – Mentor (University Medical Center Utrecht)
Teus Kappen – Mentor (University Medical Center Utrecht)
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Abstract
This master’s thesis explores how Interface Design can support a new approach to alarm configuration in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), aiming to reduce alarm overload. Alarm Fatigue, a phenomenon caused by frequent and non-actionable alarms, poses risks to patient safety. The project is part of the Smart and Silent Intensive Care Unit (SASICU) initiative, a European initiative aimed at addressing Alarm Fatigue. Current alarm systems are not centralised, rely on absolute thresholds, are time-consuming to configure, and therefore lack patient-specific configurations, resulting in an excessive number of clinically irrelevant alarms.
In response, SetWise was developed through an iterative user-centred process: a configuration User Interface enabling nurses to personalise alarm settings in just two main steps. It offers real-time adjustments, contextual shortcuts, and manual fine-tuning. Eight ICU nurses evaluated SetWise, confirming its usability but indicating variation in work styles and preferences. To support adoption, flexible UI design, comprehensive training, and step-by-step implementation are recommended. SetWise represents a tangible step towards a quieter and smarter ICU, encouraging a potential paradigm shift in alarm configuration: moving from micromanagement to patient-specific situational awareness.