Abstract
Technology plays a prominent role in intensive care units (ICU), with a variety of sensors monitoring both patients and devices. A serious problem exists, however, that can reduce the sensors’ effectiveness. When important values exceed or fall below a certain threshold or sensors lose their signal, up to 350 alarms per patient a day are issued. These frequent alarms are audible in several locations on the ICU, resulting in a massive cognitive load for ICU nurses, as they must evaluate and acknowledge each alarm. “Alarm fatigue” sets in, a desensitization and delayed response time for alarms that can have severe consequences for patients and nurses. To counteract the acoustic load on ICUs, we designed and evaluated personal multimodal alarms for a wearable alarm system (WAS). The result was a lower response time and higher ratings on suitability and feasibility, as well as a lower annoyance level, compared to acoustic alarms. We find that multimodal alarms are a promising new approach to alert ICU nurses, reduce cognitive load, and avoid alarm fatigue.
Highlights
Intensive care units (ICU) are equipped with highly sophisticated technical systems and devices for patient monitoring, respiratory and cardiac support, pain management, emergency resuscitation, and other life support measures
We find that multimodal alarms are a promising new approach to alert ICU nurses, reduce cognitive load, and avoid alarm fatigue
We investigate the suitability of light, vibration, and sound via bone conduction speakers for critical care alarms using a wearable alarm system (WAS) in the form of a head-mounted display (HMD)
Summary
Intensive care units (ICU) are equipped with highly sophisticated technical systems and devices for patient monitoring, respiratory and cardiac support, pain management, emergency resuscitation, and other life support measures. To ensure uninterrupted monitoring of patients with life-threatening illnesses and injuries or after major surgical procedures, these medical devices issue visual and acoustic alarms for various reasons. The majority of the issued alarms, require no intervention from the other nurses and distract them from their current task. In addition to the unnecessarily increased cognitive workload, the high number of alarms results in desensitization and lower response time of healthcare professionals. This condition is called alarm fatigue [1]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
