Barriers to managing clinical alarms in intensive care units: a cross-sectional study

Authors

  • Renata Cristina Crippa Diekmann Sociedade Israelita Brasileira Albert Einstein, Faculdade Israelita de Ciências da Saúde Albert Einstein, São Paulo, SP, Brasil.
  • Lillian Caroline Fernandes Universidade de São Paulo, Escola de Enfermagem, São Paulo, SP, Brasil.
  • Ramon Antonio Oliveira Universidade de São Paulo, Escola de Enfermagem, São Paulo, SP, Brasil.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/1518-8345.7969.4844

Keywords:

Intensive Care Units; Critical Care; Patient Safety; Clinical Alarms; Nurse Practitioners; Nursing

Abstract

Objective:  to investigate the barriers to clinical alarm management according to nurses and nursing technicians and to examine characteristics of clinical alarm response in intensive care units. Method:  a cross-sectional study was conducted in a hospital accredited by the Joint Commission International and the American Nurses Credentialing Center Magnet Recognition. A questionnaire was used to identify barriers to clinical alarm management and 84 hours of observation were carried out. Results:  92 professionals participated (33 nurses; 59 nursing technicians). The perception of inadequate nursing staffing levels was more frequent among nurses (21.2%) than among nursing technicians (3.4%; p=0.006). Competition between clinical alarms and noise from other equipment was identified as similar among nurses (20; 60.6%) and nursing technicians (35; 53.9%; p=0.981). Frequent interruptions of activities were reported by nurses (6; 18.2%) and nursing technicians (17; 28.8%) (p=0.615). Forty-nine clinical alarms were recorded, with a mean response time of 2.5 minutes (SD 2.8) and three (6.1%) were ignored. Conclusion:  several barriers to adequate management were identified, including human resources, environmental factors and work processes. Regarding care, alarms from multiparameter monitors predominated, responded to mainly by the nursing staff, with a low proportion of ignored clinical alarms.

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Published

2026-06-15

Issue

Vol. 34 (2026)

Section

Original Articles

License

Copyright (c) 2026 Revista Latino-Americana de Enfermagem

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How to Cite

Diekmann, R. C. C., Fernandes, L. C., & Oliveira, R. A. (2026). Barriers to managing clinical alarms in intensive care units: a cross-sectional study. Revista Latino-Americana De Enfermagem, 34, e4844. https://doi.org/10.1590/1518-8345.7969.4844