The relationship between alarm fatigue and burnout among critical care nurses: A cross-sectional study

Alarm fatigue has significant negative impacts on nurses and patient safety. However, the relationship between alarm fatigue and burnout is still unclear.

This study aimed to explore the relationship between alarm fatigue and burnout among critical care nurses.

A descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study design was used. Data were collected from five hospitals in mainland China between January 2022 and March 2022. A general information questionnaire, the Chinese version of the Intensive Care Unit Nurse Alarm Fatigue Questionnaire, and the Chinese version of the Maslach Burnout Inventory were used.

A total of 236 critical care nurses were enrolled in this study. The mean score of alarm fatigue among critical care nurses was 21.11 ± 6.83. The results showed that critical care nurses experienced moderate alarm fatigue levels, and most nurses had moderate to high levels of burnout. The multiple linear regression analyses showed that alarm fatigue was independently associated with emotional exhaustion, depersonalization dimensions, and reduced personal accomplishment dimension.

Alarm fatigue was associated with burnout among critical care nurses. Reducing critical care nurses' alarm fatigue may help to alleviate burnout.

Managers should provide comprehensive training for nurses and promote the application of artificial intelligence technology in alarm management to reduce alarm fatigue and improve burnout among critical care nurses.