Degree of Alarm Fatigue and Mental Workload of Hospital Nurses in Intensive Care Units

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the degree of alarm fatigue and mental workload of ICU nurses, and to clarify the relationship between these two variables. A cross-sectional, descriptive research design was used. Data were collected from 90 nurses working in four ICUs in Seoul, Republic of Korea, using a questionnaire determining their degree of alarm fatigue and mental workload. Data were collected from 6 March to 26 April 2021 and were analyzed using a t-test, ANOVA, and Pearson’s correlation coefficient. The average alarm-fatigue score was 28.59 out of 44. The item with the highest score was “I often hear a certain amount of noise in the ward”, with a score of 3.59 out of 4. The average of the mental workload scores was 75.21 out of 100. The highest mental workload item was effort, which scored 78.72 out of 100. No significant correlation was found between alarm fatigue and mental workload. Although nurses were consistently exposed to alarm fatigue, this was not directly related to their mental workloads, perhaps owing to their professional consciousness as they strived to accomplish tasks despite alarm fatigue. However, since alarm fatigue can affect efficiency, investigations to reduce it and develop appropriate guidelines are necessary. This study was not registered.

Alarm fatigue and perceived stress among critical care nurses in the intensive care units: Palestinian perspectives

“…These findings sugest that ICU nurses, despite experiencing alarm fatigue, promptly respond to any alterations in patients’ conditions. These findings are consistent with previous studies [ 37 , 38 ]. However, they contrast with a study conducted in Ireland, where the majority of nurses either disregarded the alarm or exhibited delayed responses when experiencing alarm fatigue [ 39 ].…”

“…For example, during morning shifts, the workload on nurses may increase, leading to heightened attention to alarms [ 36 ]. Conversely, in Korea the highest scoring item was “I hear a certain amount of noise in the ward” [ 38 ]. The items with the lowest scores were “I turn off the alarms at the beginning of every shift” and “I regularly readjust the limits of alarms based on the clinical symptoms of patients”.…”

“…In intensive care units, the utilization of numerous medical devices contributes to the escalating noise level and increasingly loud alarms, which are reported psychological issues by nurses [ 38 ]. Health professionals exposed to this sensory overload for extended periods of time experience both cognitive and physical stress [ 50 , 51 ].…”

Levels and Factors of Nurses’ Alarm Fatigue in Critical Care Settings in Saudi Arabia: A Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study

“…Alarm fatigue is a significant issue for nurses, particularly in ICUs, where they are subjected to a lot of warnings from different equipment and monitoring devices. 3 , 22 Studies have shown that CCNs experience a moderate-to-high level of alarm fatigue, with scores ranging from 29.1 out of 40 to 69.4 out of 100. 8 , 23 This could be attributed to the complex and critical nature of their work, which requires constant monitoring of patients and their equipment.…”

“…The high level of alarm fatigue in the present study suggests that additional efforts are needed to enhance alarm management in critical care settings. Other studies have also shown that when alarms go off repeatedly and constantly, nurses become irritable and impatient, 4 , 22 highlighting the importance of addressing alarm fatigue and enhancing alarm management in hospital settings.…”