Tackling Alarm Fatigue in Healthcare
In modern hospitals, the constant chorus of alarms has become a serious challenge. Monitors beep, and caregivers are constantly receiving alerts, yet most are false or non-actionable. This overload, known as alarm fatigue, can cause staff to miss genuine emergencies and put patients at risk.
When Too Many Alarms Cause Overload
For critically ill patients, continuous patient monitoring equipment is essential for providing early warnings of changes in a patient’s condition. Although these alarms are meant to help clinicians make medical decisions and meet safety requirements, their usefulness may be limited if devices cannot reliably distinguish critical situations. Additionally, alarm fatigue adds to the mental & physical strain on caregivers, nurses, and doctors.
For nurses, most excess alarms are non-actionable and caused by:
- False alarms from loose connections or patient movement account for nearly 85-90% of alarms in ICUs (Per a study by the NIH1)
- Lack of standardized alarm management across devices and departments.
- False positives from improper threshold settings that make devices overly sensitive.
- Inaudible signal levels which staff may miss.
These challenges distract caregivers, compromise patient safety, and increase operational strain.
Wireless Monitoring That Works Smarter
RTX helps medical device manufacturers design robust wireless communication platforms that make hospital workflows simpler and safer. By reducing cable clutter, our technology supports patient mobility and improves psychological well-being. It also preserves the integrity of physiological data, ensuring accurate and reliable readings in demanding clinical environments.
Our platforms enable devices, including respiratory equipment, infusion pumps, and cardiac monitors, to wirelessly communicate in real time. This lays the foundation for smart systems that can analyze multiple parameters and alert staff only when there is a tangible risk.
By ensuring the robustness of data, RTX helps medical teams interpret patient information more confidently. The focus is on making alarms meaningful rather than overwhelming.
Safer Care, Smarter Hospitals
By reducing alarm fatigue, hospitals can improve patient outcomes, reduce stress on staff, and enhance patient comfort. With RTX wireless monitoring, devices communicate reliably and continuously, ensuring critical information reaches the right caregiver at the right time. This makes patient care more efficient, accurate, and safe.
Connect With Our Experts
Interested in exploring how we can help you identify the right solution for your challenges? Reach out to our team. We will be happy to discuss solutions that fit your technical requirements.
Source:
1 Anderson HR, Borgen AC, Christnacht R, et al. Stats on the desats: alarm fatigue and the implications for patient safety. BMJ Open Quality 2023;12:e002262. doi:10.1136/ bmjoq-2023-002262