Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40217219›Full record

ArticleBMC nursing2025

Exploring ICU nurses' response to alarm management and strategies for alleviating alarm fatigue: a meta-synthesis and systematic review.

Dandan Xu, Fan Liu, Xinbo Ding, Jing Ma, Yaxi Suo, Yang-Yao Peng, Jin Li, Xing Fu

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC nursing, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 22 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
22citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

22 citing papers in PubMed.

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  16. Reducing False Alarm Rates and Workload in ICUs by Improving Arrhythmia Detection Algorithms of Patient Monitoring Systems.Medical science monitor : international medical journal of experimental and clinical research · 2025
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Dandan Xu *Department of Critical Care Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Clinical Research Center of Hubei Critical Care Medicine, Wuhan, Hubei, 430071, China.
Fan Liu *Nursing Department, Huangmei County People's Hospital, Huangmei, China.
Xinbo DingDepartment of Critical Care Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Clinical Research Center of Hubei Critical Care Medicine, Wuhan, Hubei, 430071, China.
Jing MaDepartment of Critical Care Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Clinical Research Center of Hubei Critical Care Medicine, Wuhan, Hubei, 430071, China.
Yaxi SuoDepartment of Critical Care Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Clinical Research Center of Hubei Critical Care Medicine, Wuhan, Hubei, 430071, China.
Yang-Yao PengDepartment of Neurosurgical Intensive Care Unit, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
Jin LiDepartment of Critical Care Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Clinical Research Center of Hubei Critical Care Medicine, Wuhan, Hubei, 430071, China. 506388872@qq.com.
Xing FuDepartment of Critical Care Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Clinical Research Center of Hubei Critical Care Medicine, Wuhan, Hubei, 430071, China. fuxing0525@163.com.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundAlarm fatigue is a critical issue in intensive care units, negatively impacting nurse well-being and patient safety. Understanding nurses' experiences and management strategies is essential for developing effective interventions.

objectiveThis study aims to elucidate the current practices of nurses in responding to alarms and their experiences with alarm fatigue.

methodsWe conducted a systematic review and meta-synthesis of qualitative studies. PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Wiley databases were searched from inception to May 2024. The search syntax included the following keywords and Boolean operators: ("alarm fatigue" OR "alarm management" OR "clinical alarm") AND ("ICU nurses" OR "critical care nurses" OR "intensive care nurses") AND ("experiences" OR "perceptions" OR "strategies" OR "interventions"). Eligible studies included qualitative research exploring ICU nurses' experiences and responses to alarm fatigue. The risk of bias was assessed independently by two researchers using the CASP (Critical Appraisal Skills Programme) Qualitative Research Checklist. Studies were categorized as high, medium, or low reliability based on their adherence to the CASP criteria. Data were analyzed using thematic synthesis.

resultsOf 460 identified records, 11 studies met the inclusion criteria, all of which demonstrated high methodological quality. The synthesis yielded nine key findings organized into three main themes: (1) Adverse outcomes of frequent alarms. (2) Causes of alarm fatigue. (3) Effective strategies to manage alarm fatigue. Frequent ICU alarms increase nurse workload, erode alarm system trust, heighten alarm fatigue, and endanger patient safety.

conclusionTo address ICU alarm fatigue, interventions should focus on reducing false alarms, enhancing alarm reliability, strengthening nurse training, optimizing work environments, and providing psychological support. These measures are crucial for improving patient safety and nurse well-being. Future research should explore the long-term impact of these interventions. REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD42024539569.

Indexed as

Alarm fatigueAlarm managementIntensive care unitsNurseQualitative study

Identifiers

PMID40217219
PMCPMC11992819

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.