Hospital Staff's "Alarm Fatigue" Causes 560 Deaths Per Year

First Posted: Apr 09, 2013 03:27 PM EDT
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For hospital patients spending a certain amount of time in the facility, the flood of noises can cause a danger that many might not be aware of. According to a recent report by the Joint Commission, "alarm fatigue" may cause hospital staff to miss signs that a patient is in distress, leading to patient injuries and even death.

Reports indicate that there have been over 560 deaths related to alarms, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The Joint Commission also stated that there have been 80 deaths and 13 injuries related to them, and as hospitals report the incidents themselves, the Joint Commission acknowledges that the number may be much higher.

The commission, which is responsible for giving and maintaining hospitals coveted accreditation, also notes that ignoring the beeps may set off a chain reaction. That may, in turn, lead to a death or injury, but it is more difficult to attribute the beginning of the chain reaction to beeping alarms.

It's important to note that some devices may continue to make noise for any number of reasons, including that they may not be working properly or there could be an emergency, according to The Associated Press.

"Alarm fatigue and management of alarms are important safety issues that we must confront," Dr. Ana McKee, the executive vice president and chief medical officer of The Joint Commission, said  in a statement. "The recommendations in this Alert offer hospitals a framework on which to assess their individual circumstances and develop a systematic, coordinated approach to alarms. By making alarm safety a priority, lives can be saved."

The Joint Commission, thus, suggests that hospitals issue guidelines for alarm settings, staff check, inspect and maintain medical devices equipped with alarms and that the hospital should have a system in place for monitoring beeping alarms and other technological devices. 

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