Exploring alarm fatigue among clinical nurses through a human factors engineering framework: a descriptive...

To identify the factors affecting alarm fatigue among clinical nurses, using a human factors engineering model as the theoretical framework.

A qualitative descriptive design was employed.

Purposive sampling was employed to recruit nurses and nurse managers from a large tertiary hospital in China. Semi-structured, in-depth interviews were conducted between August 2023 and February 2024. Using the human factors engineering model as the analytical framework, directed content analysis was conducted on the interview data.

In total 15 clinical nurses and 5 nurse managers were interviewed. Nurses reported factors associated with their personal factors, and their interactions with work environments and alarm devices. Dominant personal themes were linked to the ability of nurses to deal with alarms, awareness of alarms, responsibility, and emotional regulation. Environmental contributors comprised a supportive work atmosphere, open communication, noisy and crowded clinical wards, and patient conditions. Device-related issues such as inaccurate alarm levels, indistinguishable alarm sounds, and limited operability, also affected alarm fatigue.

This qualitative study indicated that personal factors, work environments, and alarm device characteristics substantially affect alarm fatigue. These results suggest that alarm fatigue is modulated by several elements of the clinical system. A system-level approach to alarm management is crucial to reducing alarm fatigue, and should be prioritized in future efforts to improve clinical safety.