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Concept analysis is a process used to clarify concepts in nursing, ultimately identifying gaps in knowledge and determining the relationship of the concept and its clinical application (McEwen & Wills, 2018). Concept analysis has developed in nursing due to the necessity for research to be based on well-developed concepts related to the subject matter (Cronin et al., 2010). The concept of alarm fatigue is a significant and growing problem, especially in the ICU setting. Alarm fatigue in clinical areas requires further research so that effective nursing practices to prevent desensitization can be implemented (West et al., 2014). Safe use of alarms has been identified as a National Patient Safety Goal for many years and there has recently been a high report of alarm-related sentinel events (West et al., 2014). Patient care areas have a multitude of alarm signals resulting in excessive noise and notifications, and eventually desensitized staff (The Joint Commission [TJC], 2020). This is a multifaceted concern, and there are currently no universal guidelines to address alarm fatigue.
Prior to developing further research and theory, a concept analysis must be performed to define and clarify the concept of alarm fatigue (Gray et al., 2017). The concept is identified as alarm fatigue and the aim of the analysis is to clarify the meaning and construct evidence-based guidelines to decrease alarms, and subsequently, alarm fatigue (West et al., 2014). The next step in the concept analysis is to identify all possible uses and determine defining attributes (McEwen & Wills, 2018). It is important to clarify the meaning of a concept so that it can be applied to nursing practice in a scholarly manner. The term alarm fatigue is used to describe the phenomena of nursing staff becoming overwhelmed by the vast amount of alarm signals in the clinical setting, resulting in desensitization to the need to respond (Lewis & Oster, 2019). Defining characteristics of alarm fatigue are an environment with repetitive situations, a decreased motivation or desensitization, and a diminished capacity for work (West et al., 2014).
Alarm fatigue presents a significant patient safety concern and warrants further research in order to develop evidence-based nursing practice guidelines. As discussed previously, the concept of alarm fatigue is multifaceted. Nurses can help improve patient outcomes through the implementation of educational policies related to alarm management for all members of the health care organization (West et al., 2014).
References
Cronin, P., Ryan, F., & Coughlan, M. (2010). Concept analysis in healthcare research. International Journal of Therapy and Rehabilitation, 17(2), 6268. https://doi.org/10.12968/ijtr.2010.17.2.46331
Gray, J. R., Grove, S. K., & Sutherland, S. (2017). Burns & grove’s the practice of nursing research: Appraisal, synthesis, and generation of evidence (8th ed.). Saunders Elsevier.
Lewis, C., & Oster, C. A. (2019). Research outcomes of implementing cease: An innovative, nurse-driven, evidence-based, patient-customized monitoring bundle to decrease alarm fatigue in the intensive care unit/step-down unit. Dimensions of Critical Care Nursing, 38(3), 160173. https://doi.org/10.1097/dcc.0000000000000357
McEwen, M., & Wills, E. M. (2018). Theoretical basis for nursing (5th ed.). Wolters Kluwer.
The Joint Commission. (2020). National patient safety goals effective July 2020 for the hospital program. https://www.jointcommission.org/-/media/tjc/documents/standards/national-patient-safety-goals/2020/npsg_chapter_hap_jul2020.pdf
West, P., Abbott, P., & Probst, P. (2014). Alarm fatigue: A concept analysis. Online Journal of Nursing Informatics, 18(2), 1.
