What does the term "clinical alarm fatigue" refer to?

The term "clinical alarm fatigue" refers specifically to the phenomenon of desensitization to alarms that healthcare providers experience as a result of excessive false alarms or an overwhelming number of alarm signals in clinical settings. This can lead to caregivers becoming less responsive to alarms, potentially compromising patient safety as they may overlook or ignore important alerts.

In busy medical environments, where numerous devices continuously emit alarms, the sheer volume can lead clinicians to prioritize their responses based on perceived significance. Unfortunately, when alarms are frequently false or unnecessary, the threshold for attention can shift, making it challenging for healthcare professionals to discern critical alerts that require immediate action. While improving alarm systems and the accuracy of monitoring equipment are essential to mitigate this issue, the core of "alarm fatigue" is the cognitive overload that leads to diminished responsiveness to alarms.