Researchers: Reut Ron¹, Sarah Sberro-Cohen², Itzik Barnet³

Background: Alarm fatigue poses a significant challenge in intensive care units (ICUs), leading to decreased responsiveness and potential patient safety risks.

Objectives: This study investigates the implementation of a pilot program transferring responsibility for setting monitor alarms from physicians to nursing teams in two ICU units at Assuta Public Hospital in Ashdod. The study evaluates the effectiveness of this intervention in reducing alarm fatigue and improving alarm responsiveness.

Method: An implementation study of a pilot program, including all nursing and medical teams during data collection periods. The research included quantitative measurements through surveys and observations before and after the intervention.

Findings: A decrease in alarm fatigue among the pediatric ICU team was observed after the intervention, compared to the general ICU, where no change was observed. This phenomenon was also evident in the team surveys showing a substantial increase in attentiveness, trust, and patience towards alarms after the intervention. Physicians who expressed agreement that it is the responsibility of the nursing teams in the department to set alarm limits for patients after appropriate training, and they feel that the nursing teams are more attentive and patient when setting the thresholds is under their responsibility.

Conclusions: Alarm fatigue is present in ICU in Israel. Through a simple intervention involving training, it is possible and appropriate to transfer responsibility to the nursing staff for setting alarm limits. This process will improve the level of alarm fatigue among, increase trust in alarms, and thereby enhance attentiveness and patience in responding to alarms.

Recommendations: We recommend establishing formalized protocols nationally, specifying that nursing teams have the responsibility, capability, and knowledge to set alarm limits following training. Further research should focus on evaluating the impact of training and protocol implementation in various intensive care units, such as cardiac and neonatal intensive care.

Research end date: 04/2024