Category: Alarm Fatigue

Technology wish list for reducing ‘alarm fatigue’ introduced at Society for Technology in Anesthesia Annual Meeting

As a National Patient Safety Goal of The Joint Commission, “alarm fatigue” – which occurs when hospitals staffs become desensitized, overwhelmed or distracted by the myriad patient alarms that sound off around them each day – is now one of the most widely discussed issues in the healthcare.

The dialogue continued at the Society for Technology in Anesthesia (STA) Annual Meeting held Jan. 15-18 in Orlando, where along with presenting First National Survey of Patient-Controlled Analgesia Practices, Michael Wong, Executive Director of the Physician-Patient Alliance for Health & Safety (PPAHS) introduced a “Technological Alarm Awareness Wish List”. Continue reading “Technology wish list for reducing ‘alarm fatigue’ introduced at Society for Technology in Anesthesia Annual Meeting” →

‘Alarm fatigue’ a top-of-mind concern for U.S. hospitals, finds national survey presented at Society for Technology in Anesthesia Annual Meeting

“Alarm fatigue” – which can lead to serious and sometimes fatal consequence for patients — is rated as a top concern by 19 out of every 20 hospitals in the U.S., according to a new national survey presented at the Society for Technology in Anesthesia (STA) Annual Meeting held in Orlando Jan. 15-18. Continue reading “‘Alarm fatigue’ a top-of-mind concern for U.S. hospitals, finds national survey presented at Society for Technology in Anesthesia Annual Meeting” →

The Intertwined Stories of Amanda Abbiehl and Continuous Electronic Monitoring

In the recent article, “Silent Danger: PCA Pumps and the Case for Continuous Monitoring” published by Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation in Biomedical Instrumentation & Technology, the story of 18-year old Amanda Abbiehl is told as a powerful reminder of the need for continuous electronic monitoring. Continue reading “The Intertwined Stories of Amanda Abbiehl and Continuous Electronic Monitoring” →

3 Questions About Patient Safety and PCA with Brian and Cindy Abbiehl from A Promise to Amanda Foundation

by Sean Power
December 12, 2013

The Physician-Patient Alliance for Health and Safety released their findings from the First National Survey on Patient-Controlled Analgesia (PCA) Safety Practices. Continue reading “3 Questions About Patient Safety and PCA with Brian and Cindy Abbiehl from A Promise to Amanda Foundation” →

Clinical Tip: Alarm Fatigue the Newest Clinical Hazard

By Lynn Razzano RN, MSN, ONCC (Clinical Nurse Consultant)

Increasingly we are seeing publications, alerts and evidence of the clinical phenomena entitled: “Alarm Fatigue”. What is the scope of this latest hazard and what are the new implications for clinical practice change. Continue reading “Clinical Tip: Alarm Fatigue the Newest Clinical Hazard” →

PCA Survey Indicates Response to ECRI Institute 2014 Top Ten Safety Technology Hazards and The Joint Commission’s National Patient Safety Goals for 2014

By Lynn Razzano, RN, MSN, ONCC (Clinical Nurse Consultant, Physician-Patient Alliance for Health & Safety) and Michael Wong, JD (Executive Director, Physician-Patient Alliance for Health & Safety)

The ECRI Institute recently released its Top Ten Technology for 2014. At the top of this list – alarm hazards. Although ECRI acknowledges that patient monitors are undoubtedly beneficial, ECRI says that the frequency of alarms can be detrimental: Continue reading “PCA Survey Indicates Response to ECRI Institute 2014 Top Ten Safety Technology Hazards and The Joint Commission’s National Patient Safety Goals for 2014” →

INFOGRAPHIC: First National Survey of Patient-Controlled Analgesia Practices

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For Improving Patient Safety and Reducing Nuisance Alarms, Evidence Points to Revising Default Settings

by Sean Power and Michael Wong

Alarm fatigue and nuisance alarms put patient safety at risk. The Joint Commission’s Sentinel Event Alert on alarm safety states that between 85 percent and 99 percent of alarm signals do not require clinical intervention — and these nuisance alarms desensitize clinicians. Continue reading “For Improving Patient Safety and Reducing Nuisance Alarms, Evidence Points to Revising Default Settings” →

4 Patient Safety Articles We Recommend

by Sean Power

With half of 2013 behind us, we took some time to reflect on the patient safety articles we’ve shared with this community. This reflection made us think about articles we haven’t shared–articles about which we wanted to write but did not have the bandwidth to do so at the time.

With that, I’d like to share four articles we think should be read by healthcare professionals working with patient-controlled analgesia. Continue reading “4 Patient Safety Articles We Recommend” →

Two Resources on Alarm Safety from The Joint Commission and the ECRI Institute

by Sean Power

When The Joint Commission released its Sentinel Event Alert 50 on medical device alarm safety in hospitals it produced an infographic about the issue. The infographic summarizes the scope of the problem, shares data about reported alarm safety events, and offers recommendations to address the issue. The ECRI Institute also has a poster on alarm safety with recommendations for improving alarm management.

Let’s take a look at both resources. Continue reading “Two Resources on Alarm Safety from The Joint Commission and the ECRI Institute” →