Reducing Cardiac Telemetry Nuisance Alarms Through Evidence-Based Interventions

Cardiac telemetry nuisance alarms due to leads off and poor signal increase staff workflow interruptions, decrease staff trust in technology, and can compromise patient safety.

Interventions were directed at reducing nuisance alarms on a 32-bed, non-intensive care - a cardiac telemetry unit.

A nursing staff education module with evidence-based practices for reducing nuisance alarms, a daily care protocol for patients on cardiac telemetry monitoring, and daily audits of protocol adherence were implemented.

Staff pre- and posttest comparisons on their knowledge relating to nuisance alarms and the evidence-based protocol demonstrated a significant mean increase of 3.02 (95% CI, 2.55-3.48). Daily audits for 7 weeks demonstrated an average of 58.46% staff adherence. Telemetry technician call volume reduction was 16% postimplementation, while nuisance alarms were not reduced significantly.

This rapid-cycle, quality improvement process resulted in minimal reduction in nuisance alarms but improved staff awareness of the issue and reduced workflow interruptions.