An equipment monitoring device 10 comprises a microphone 14 for receiving an audio signal, a processor 12 for determining whether the audio signal comprises an alarm from an equipment item listed in a database, and an output arrangement, which may comprise a relay 18 and a connector to a nurse call system 20, which indicates when the audio signal comprises the alarm. The processor may determine the presence of an alarm by comparison to a reference frequency component, a reference repetition rate, and/or a not present frequency component. The detection signal may only be output if the duration of the alarm (measured by real-time clock 32), which may be logged by the processor 12, exceeds 40 seconds. The database may be updated via the Wi-Fi (RTM) module 28 or by replacing the storage (i.e. SD card), and a 26 test device which produces a test alarm which can be detected by the device 10 may also be provided. The device 10 may be used as part of a system in a hospital ward, wherein a device is provided for each bed.
