What function does an alarm system serve in medical devices?

The primary function of an alarm system in medical devices is to alert users of potential failures. This is crucial in a clinical setting where patient safety is a priority. When a medical device such as a ventilator or infusion pump detects that it is operating outside of its normal parameters or identifies an impending malfunction, the alarm system activates to notify healthcare personnel. This immediate alert allows for timely intervention, potentially preventing harm to patients and ensuring the device is functioning properly.

While other functions, such as software updates, compiling usage statistics, or recording maintenance history, serve important roles in the overall management of medical equipment, they do not fulfill the critical safety function that alarm systems provide by alerting users to issues that could impact patient care.