System and method of detection of sensor removal in a monitoring system

The system and method of the present application includes a physiological sensor and a motion sensor connected to a patient. The physiological sensor detects patient connection to the sensor and collects a physiological signal while connected. When the physiological sensor is disconnected, the motion sensor data is analyzed. Patterns of sensor connection and patient movement typical for nurse initiated removal compared to accidental or patient initiated removals are created. The alarm protocol may be modified if the disconnection is due to patient movement. The detected movement patterns may include movement measurements that are close to the sensor that detects how the actual disconnection happens, or general movement information for the patient such as whether the patient has been still or has moved before the sensor gets disconnected. By using this information to classify the reason of the sensor removal, a more relevant alarm may be generated.