Alarm Fatigue in Intensive Care Units: Strategies for Enhancing Patient Safety and Nursing Efficiency through Effective Alarm Management Practices

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Tahani Aeed Khatem Alotaibi, Kholoud Saud Abbas Al-Enezi, Moath Sami Alshammari, Adel Nkhelan Alenzi, Gassim Ali Doshi, Yahya Ibrahim Bakry, Jomah Mohmed Khobrani, Rogaya Yahya Qassim Debsh, Elaf Rajeh Abdou Kodam, Fatema Ibrahim Aqeeli, Waeel Ali Ahead Hakami, Mohammed Abdu Naship Sharahil, Fahad Abdu Aziz Asiri Hadadi.

Abstract

Background: Alarm fatigue is a prevalent issue in intensive care units (ICUs), where the incessant barrage of auditory alerts can lead to desensitization among nursing staff. With 85-99% of alarms being false or clinically irrelevant, this phenomenon poses significant risks to patient safety and care quality.


Methods: This literature review synthesizes current research on alarm fatigue among ICU nurses, focusing on the causes, consequences, and management strategies associated with clinical alarms. A systematic evaluation of qualitative and quantitative studies was conducted to assess nurses' perceptions and experiences regarding alarm systems.


Results: The findings reveal that alarm fatigue is predominantly driven by excessive false alarms, inadequate alarm configurations, and overwhelming workloads. Approximately 93% of nurses reported that alarm fatigue could lead to muted or disregarded alerts, compromising patient safety. Additionally, effective training and standardized protocols are identified as crucial factors in mitigating alarm fatigue and improving response times.


Conclusion: To enhance patient safety and care quality in ICUs, it is essential to implement comprehensive alarm management strategies. These should include standardized alarm settings, continuous education for nursing staff, and the incorporation of advanced technologies to reduce false alarms. Addressing alarm fatigue is vital for ensuring that critical alerts are appropriately heeded, ultimately improving outcomes in acute care nursing.


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