Alarm fatigue occurs when healthcare providers fail to respond to medical machines or devices due to overexposure to sounding alarms. A separate Boston Globe report showed that 119 patient deaths were linked to ventilator alarm errors alone from 2005-May 2011. Medical devices with alarms include medication pumps, ventilators and beds, according to the report.
Due to this risk, the FDA is boosting training for its device reviewers on alarm standards and safety. The Joint Commission is also joining the federal agency’s efforts to tackle alarm fatigue. In the coming weeks, the commission plans to survey hospitals and nursing homes to establish specific recommendations for managing medical device alarms.
Related Articles on Alarm Fatigue:
10 Things Healthcare Providers Can Do Now to Improve Alarm Conditions
ECRI Institute Lists Common EHR Adverse Events
Rep. Edward Markey Calls on HHS, IOM to Find Solutions for Alarm Fatigue
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