Coping strategies of intensive care units nurses in alarm management: a qualitative research study

Shu Fen Lu, Yi Wen Kuo, Shih Hsin Hung, Cheng Hsueh Wu, Chien Ying Wang, Shin Shang Chou*, Shu He Huang*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Background: Intensive care units are critical environments where various alarm systems play a pivotal role in patient monitoring and safety. Alarm fatigue can lead to slower response times and missed alarms, compromising patient safety and increasing stress and burnout among intensive care unit nurses. Understanding how intensive care unit nurses respond to and manage these alarms is crucial in evaluating their impact on patient care and nursing well-being. Methods: This descriptive qualitative study explored the experiences of intensive care unit nurses in alarm management. Conducted in the medical and surgical intensive care units of a Northern Taiwan medical center, the study involved 15 nurses. Semi-structured interviews were utilized to investigate the working experiences of ICU nurses in alarm management and to identify their coping strategies for dealing with the constant inundation of medical device alarms. The interviews were transcribed, and content analysis was applied to identify key themes in the responses. Results: The study revealed five main themes in intensive care unit nurses’ strategies for managing alarms: (1) Mastering alarm signals and acting; (2) Team monitoring for life preservation; (3) Enhancing senses and distinguishing carefully; (4) Learning from the lessons of incidents for vigilant reflection; and (5) Detach alarms’ influence on daily life. These coping strategies are effective in alarm management, safeguarding patients’ lives, enhancing the serenity of the clinical environment, and mitigating the physical and mental exhaustion caused by alarm fatigue. Conclusions: Intensive Care Unit nurses develop various coping strategies to manage medical device alarms, based on their experience. These strategies are crucial in maintaining patient safety and reducing nurse alarm fatigue. They can also be used for nursing education and clinical training.

Original languageEnglish
Article number713
JournalBMC Nursing
Volume23
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2024

Keywords

  • Alarm fatigue
  • Alarm management
  • Coping strategies
  • Intensive care nursing
  • Qualitative research

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