Design proposal · Icon system

Alarm Priority Icons

Four alert levels for clinical phones that differ by color, shape and mark count, so the urgent ones stand out and nobody relies on color alone.

Audience: Clinical IT, nursing leadership
Setting: Clinical phones
Format: Icon set + alert rules
Pairs with: Clinical Phone Alerts, Rehab Check

The proposal

Problem

Pumps, monitors, bed alarms and reminders all land on the same phone and look alike. Staff tune out the noise, and a critical alert can sit in a list next to a low battery warning. That is alarm fatigue.

Solution

A small icon set with four levels. Each level has its own shape, color and number of marks, plus a set sound and a set list of who gets it. The level name always appears next to the icon.

Where it's used

On the phone alert list and lock screen, and as the shared language for related proposals: IV pump text alerts, telemetry alarms to the nurse's phone and 2-hour CNA check reminders.

The project · Icon set

The four levels

Level 1 · Red octagon
Critical
Respond now

Sound
Continuous, distinct tone, in the room and on the phone
Goes to
Assigned nurse, CNA and all nearby staff
Examples
Bed exit for high fall risk, code, apnea
Level 2 · Marigold triangle
Urgent
Respond within minutes

Sound
Repeating triple tone on the phone
Goes to
Assigned nurse; charge nurse if not accepted
Examples
IV stopped by error, low SpO2, bed alarm left off
Level 3 · Blue circle
Routine
Respond when able

Sound
Single soft chime, once
Goes to
Assigned nurse or CNA only
Examples
Infusion complete, 2-hour CNA check, call light
Level 4 · Gray square
Advisory
No patient action needed

Sound
Silent; shows in the alert list
Goes to
Assigned staff, or biomed and IT
Examples
Device low battery, system message

Sizes

Shape and marks stay readable down to 16 px, the size of a badge in a phone list.

Critical48 · 32 · 24 · 16

Urgent48 · 32 · 24 · 16

Routine48 · 32 · 24 · 16

Advisory48 · 32 · 24 · 16

Alarm types

Each alarm type gets a suggested default level. Each hospital sets its own with nursing, biomed and IT.

Telemetry: lethal rhythmCritical
Bed exit, high fall riskCritical
IV stopped by errorUrgent
Bed alarm left offUrgent
Vitals out of rangeUrgent
Infusion completeRoutine
2-hour CNA checkRoutine
Patient call lightRoutine
Device low batteryAdvisory
Telemetry: leads offAdvisory

Example alert list

In use

Example · 4 North · Your patients

Alerts5 active

CRITICAL · BED EXITnow

Rm 412-1 · patient leaving bed

High fall risk · sent to all 4 North staff

I'm goingCall for help

URGENT · TELEMETRY1 min

Rm 403-1 · new A-fib, HR 142

Confirmed by monitor tech

AcceptReply to tech

URGENT · IV PUMP2 min

Rm 408-2 · occlusion, infusion stopped

Escalates to charge nurse in 3 min

ROUTINE · 2-HR CHECK10 min

3 patients due for check

Rm 402-1, 405-2, 410-1 · reposition and linens

ADVISORY · DEVICE25 min

Rm 406-1 · pump battery low

Plug in when next in room

Never color alone

Every level also changes shape and mark count, and the level name always appears beside the icon, so colorblind staff and dim rooms are covered.

Fewer alerts, clearer alerts

Only Critical and Urgent make repeating sound. Routine chimes once. Advisory is silent and waits in the list.

The right person, then escalate

Alerts go to the assigned staff first. Urgent alerts move to the charge nurse if no one accepts them in time.

Built on standards

Supports The Joint Commission's alarm safety goal (NPSG.06.01.01) and AACN alarm management guidance. Final levels are set with nursing, biomed and IT.