1. Nurses' Perceptions and Practices Related to Alarm Management: A Quality Improvement Initiative.
- Author
-
Cameron HL and Little B
- Subjects
- Adult, Attitude of Health Personnel, Curriculum, Education, Nursing, Continuing organization & administration, Female, Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Southeastern United States, Surveys and Questionnaires, Young Adult, Clinical Alarms standards, Critical Care Nursing education, Critical Care Nursing standards, Nursing Staff, Hospital education, Nursing Staff, Hospital psychology, Patient Safety standards, Quality Improvement standards
- Abstract
Background: The purpose of this quality improvement project was to develop, implement, and assess the effects of an alarm management policy and educational program on nurses' perceptions and practices of alarm management in an acute care hospital., Method: Nurses from an acute care hospital in the southeastern United States attended a mandatory alarm management education program. The hospital implemented the evidence-based alarm management education to achieve the NPSG.06.01.01: Alarm Management. Pre- and posttests were administered to evaluate the education and the changes in nurses' perceptions and practices of clinical alarms., Results: A total of 417 nurses received the educational intervention. All participants completed the pretest, and 215 (51%) completed the voluntary posttest. Significant improvements were made in alarm perceptions and practices. Nurses suggested unit-specific alarm education, improved staffing, and updated equipment., Conclusion: Findings support the benefits of continued education in alarm management for nurses. Bedside nurses are a critical member of a multidisciplinary alarm management team because they are at the forefront of patient safety and most at risk for experiencing alarm fatigue. J Contin Educ Nurs. 2018;49(5):207-215., (Copyright 2018, SLACK Incorporated.)
- Published
- 2018
- Full Text
- View/download PDF