SYMBIOSIS OF NURSE AND MACHINE THROUGH FUZZY-LOGIC - IMPROVED SPECIFICITY OF A NEONATAL PULSE OXIMETER ALARM

This article describes the theoretical underpinnings that preceded the design of a new neonatal pulse oximeter alarm that differentiates tru e from false alarms based on an artificial intelligence theory called ''fuzzy logic.'' The connection between the intuition and sense of adv ocacy gained through neonatal primary nursing and the application of f uzzy logic to solve the problem of false alarms-that is, the symbiosis between nurse and machine-are explained. Emphasis is placed throughou t on the importance of involving nurses in the development of the tech nology for which they are responsible.