87% of ICU patients and visitors recalled frequent, disruptive alarm noises
In recent years, the healthcare industry has made strides in enhancing patient care through advanced monitoring systems and medical equipment. However, one unintended consequence of these improvements is “alarm fatigue,” a phenomenon where the sheer volume and frequency of medical alarms in hospitals create an overwhelming environment for patients, caregivers, and healthcare staff alike.
Our latest research at Catalyst by Wellstar underscores the pressing need for hospitals to rethink how they manage alarm systems to improve patient experience and perceived quality of care.
Our study, conducted in partnership with Wellstar Health System, surveyed 1,807 patients and visitors, gathering insights on how hospital alarms impact their experience.
The results were clear: while alarms are essential for patient safety, their constant noise often undermines the very sense of security they are designed to provide.
Key Findings: Alarms as a Source of Disruption and Stress
A large majority of respondents—74%—reported noticing medical alarms during their stay, with nearly half finding them highly disruptive. In critical care environments like the ICU, this number jumped even higher, as 87% of patients and visitors in these units recalled frequent, disruptive alarm noises.
One of the most significant outcomes of this constant noise was its impact on patient rest and recovery. Over a third of patients and visitors reported difficulty sleeping due to alarm noise, a critical factor considering how essential rest is for healing. For those in intensive care, this figure rose to 41%, reflecting a higher level of disruption in areas where patients are already in critical condition.
Beyond physical discomfort, alarm noise also had a measurable psychological impact. Alarm fatigue contributed to heightened stress and anxiety, with 22% of patients and visitors feeling moderate to high levels of distress due to alarm sounds.
In the ICU, where stress levels are already elevated, this figure reached 34%. Additionally, many patients questioned whether these alarms truly contributed to better care. In fact, 81% doubted that alarms positively impacted patient outcomes, with only 19% feeling that alarms helped improve the quality of care.
These alarms exist for patient safety, and they’re important tools in the ICU. CalmWave doesn’t seek to eliminate all alarms, but rather adjust them according to each patient’s case.
Staff Responsiveness and the Confidence Gap
Another crucial aspect of our study focused on perceptions of staff responsiveness to alarms. Only 35% of respondents felt that staff responded promptly to alarms.
While nurses can often respond to alarms the patient doesn’t notice, this perception of delayed response times diminished patient confidence in the alarm system’s efficacy.
On the same note, there was a lack of patient understanding of how staff distinguishes between critical and non-critical alarms. A significant 28% of respondents indicated they had “no confidence” in the staff’s ability to prioritize alarms effectively, while only 9% expressed strong confidence. In the ICU, this confidence gap was even more pronounced.
This highlights a critical opportunity for improvement, as patient trust in alarm management is fundamental to their sense of safety and comfort.
Next Steps in Alleviating Alarm Fatigue
At Catalyst by Wellstar, we are committed to supporting startups and innovations that address real, pressing issues in healthcare. Alarm fatigue is a complex problem that affects patient experience, healthcare staff effectiveness, and, ultimately, patient outcomes. While our current study focused on patient and visitor perspectives, we plan to expand our research to include healthcare providers, particularly nurses, whose insights will be invaluable in developing a holistic solution to alarm fatigue.
We’ve also successfully completed a proof-of-concept with CalmWave, which uses a solution aimed at reducing non-actionable alarms through data science and AI, and Wellstar Health System to enhance the safety and efficacy of vital sign alarms.
Together, we can reduce the impacts of alarm fatigue, and promote a safer and more restful experience to patients.
