Dissertation
Evaluating Alarm Fatigue in Nurses on a Post-Surgical Unit
University of Iowa
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), University of Iowa
Spring 2025
Abstract
Background: Alarm fatigue is a significant patient safety concern caused by excessive non-actionable physiological monitor alarms, leading to sensory overload and delayed clinician response. Research indicates that over 80% of hospital alarms do not require intervention, contributing to desensitization and increased risk of patient harm. Purpose: This quality improvement project aimed to evaluate the impact of education on alarm fatigue and the implementation of daily electrocardiographic (ECG) electrode replacement on reducing non-actionable cardiac alarms in a 34-bed surgical specialty unit.Methods: The project followed the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) framework. Nurses and patient care technicians completed the Charit Alarm Fatigue Questionnaire (CAFQa) pre- and post-intervention to assess alarm fatigue levels. Educational sessions were conducted to enhance staff knowledge on proper ECG electrode placement and the importance of daily lead replacement. Non-actionable cardiac alarm data were extracted in 30-day increments from Philips IntelliVue patient monitors and analyzed.Findings: The primary objective of reducing alarm fatigue by 10% was not met, though slight improvements were noted in CAFQa scores. The secondary objective of tracking telemetry use was achieved, revealing a 42% increase in telemetry orders over the study period. The third objective of reducing non-actionable cardiac alarms by 25% was not met; however, a notable initial reduction in certain non-actionable alarms, such as "ECG lead off" and "cannot analyze ECG," was observed during the first month. Compliance with daily electrode changes was challenging to monitor due to documentation limitations and staffing fluctuations.Discussion: While the intervention initially reduced specific non-actionable alarms, overall alarm frequency remained high. Modifying the electronic health record (EHR) to document electrode changes and implementing American Heart Association telemetry guidelines may further optimize alarm management. Future studies should explore standardized alarm customization and telemetry utilization criteria to mitigate alarm fatigue and improve patient safety.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Evaluating Alarm Fatigue in Nurses on a Post-Surgical Unit
- Creators
- Megan Yrigoyen - University of Iowa
- Contributors
- Julie Stanik-Hutt (Chair) - University of Iowa
- Resource Type
- Dissertation
- Project Type
- Poster
- Degree Awarded
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), University of Iowa
- Degree in
- Adult/Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (Acute Care)
- Date degree season
- Spring 2025
- Publisher
- University of Iowa
- Number of pages
- 1 page
- Copyright
- Copyright 2025 Megan Yrigoyen
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- College of Nursing; Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects
- Record Identifier
- 9984841528502771
Metrics
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