Alarm Management Practices Among Intensive Care Nurses: An Observational Study

BACKGROUND: Alarm fatigue has the potential to have significant consequences for patient safety, and the critical role of intensive care nurses in alarm management is an important component of this process. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the alarm management practices of intensive care nurses. DESIGN: This study utilised an observational design. METHODS: The study was conducted in the intensive care unit of a university hospital in western Türkiye with 21 nurses. To avoid influencing their behaviour, the primary purpose of the observation was not disclosed to the nurses. Two observers used an observation form to record alarms, nurse interventions and intervention times. Environmental noise levels were also measured and recorded during the observation periods. RESULTS: Over 118 h of observation, 460 alarms were recorded. Most alarms (80.4%) were generated by monitors, and 36.3% were due to deviations in the patient's clinical status. It was found that 53.3% of alarms were not responded to, and 73.7% were controlled. Environmental noise levels ranged from 41.90 to 83.10 dB. CONCLUSIONS: The control, intervention and response times to alarms by intensive care nurses varied based on the alarm cause and their workload at the time. High environmental noise levels were also observed, which may impact alarm response. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: The centralised location of the nurses' station, preparation of treatments at the bedside and proximity to patients contribute positively to alarm management. Recommendations to reduce technical alarms include appropriate device calibration; secure technical connections; and appropriate use of ECG electrodes, sensors and medical supplies. Setting appropriate alarm limits by primary nurses and evaluating ICU noise levels for necessary adjustments are crucial. REPORTING METHOD: The study was reported in accordance with the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) checklists. PATIENT CONTRIBUTIONS: No patient or public contribution.