[Improving the Surveillance Alarm Response Rate Among Nurses in the Internal Medicine Intensive Care Unit]

According to the Emergency Care Research Institute, "not responding to alarms" is a top-ten health-technology hazard that ranked first between 2008 and 2014. The failure of clinical nurses to respond to alarms in time due to lack of awareness, fatigue, or other cause represents a great threat to patient safety. Between August 2014 and August 2015, two patients in this unit died because the red alert on the physiological alarm surveillance system was not answered and dealt with promptly.

To raise the 10-second response rate to red alerts from 22% to 100% in order to enhance inpatient safety.

Establish standard operating procedures for alarms and for the handling of physiologic monitor devices when alarms sound; form a gatekeeper system; and arrange on-the-job training.

The 10-second response rate to red alerts increased from 22% to 100% between November 2016 and November 2017.

By following standard operating procedures, personnel now have a guide to respond to and handle red alerts comprehensively. Implementing the gatekeeper system also increased the team spirit of the unit and helped personnel appreciate the importance of cooperation in handling alarms. In addition, the functions of the physiologic monitor devices and the 10-second response rate for red alerts will be included in the annual quality control checklist of the unit for follow up, review, and further improvement.