Alarm Fatigue, Perceived Stress, and Job Burnout Among ICU Nurses: A Cross-Sectional Study

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Healthcare Management
• Occupational Health

Background:

• Alarm fatigue is a significant issue in intensive care units (ICUs), contributing to nurse stress and burnout.
• The underlying mechanisms linking alarm fatigue to burnout are not fully understood.
• Understanding these associations is crucial for improving nurse well-being and patient care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess alarm fatigue, perceived stress, and job burnout among ICU nurses.
• To identify factors associated with burnout in this population.
• To examine the mediating role of perceived stress in the relationship between alarm fatigue and burnout.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 110 ICU nurses from Tehran, Iran.
• Data collected using the Alarm Fatigue Questionnaire, Perceived Stress Scale, and Persian Copenhagen Burnout Inventory.
• Statistical analyses included multiple linear regression and path analysis.

Main Results:

• Nurses reported high levels of alarm fatigue and perceived stress, and moderate job burnout.
• Shift type, perceived stress, and alarm fatigue were significant predictors of burnout.
• Path analysis confirmed that perceived stress statistically mediated the association between alarm fatigue and burnout.

Conclusions:

• Perceived stress plays a mediating role in the relationship between alarm fatigue and burnout among ICU nurses.
• Interventions aimed at reducing stress may help alleviate alarm fatigue-related burnout.
• Longitudinal studies are recommended to establish causality, and integrated strategies for alarm and stress management are advised for nursing administrators.