Multiple Patient Monitoring in High Dependency Units: A Field Study

Abstract

Much of the focus related to alarm fatigue has been directed towards reducing the number of alarms associated with vital sign monitoring. However, recent fieldwork conducted in four high dependency and critical care units of an Australian hospital suggests that the most problematic alarms were often unassociated with vital signs, such as IV pumps and mattress alarms. Many nurses indicated that they like alarms, even when false, because they support awareness of their patients’ well-being. Results of the fieldwork are guiding the design of a simulation study investigating clinical monitoring displays.