Critical Care Nurses’ Perception of Alarm Fatigue and Related Issues for Effective Management رسالة ماجستير

Abstract

Alarm fatigue resulting from frequent and often false alarms, poses significant risks to patient safety and nurse performance. The objective was to investigate critical care nurses' perceptions of alarm fatigue, identify contributing factors, and develop strategies for effective management to enhance patient safety and nurse performance in governmental hospitals in the West Bank. Cross-sectional research was achieved with 185 critical care nurses from six governmental hospitals using Convenience sampling to distribute and collect survey questionnaires—data analysis using SPSS 27, T-tests, ANOVA, and Chi square tests. The study period is fromMay1, 2024, to May20, 2024. The results found the mean alarm fatigue score was 30.64 ± 5.63indicating moderate to high alarm fatigue, with higher scores in Neonatal Intensive Care Units. Perpetual alarms interfere with patient care, according to 74.1% of nurses. The study highlighted a major issue: only 14.6% had received in-service alarm training. In conclusions there is a need for tailored, unit-specific training to address alarm management challenges. Despite a well-educated workforce, the low rate of in-service training underscores the urgency for comprehensive programs. Implementing smart alarms and ensuring adequate staffing is crucial to enhancing patient safety and minimizing alarm fatigue. Recommendations found that Hospitals need continuous, specialized alarm management training, especially in Neonatal Intensive Care Units. Better nurse-topatient ratios and smart alarms that prioritize alarms can reduce workload and alarm fatigue. Clear policies for alarm management are crucial for consistent and effective practices