Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice Regarding Multi-Parameter Monitor Alarms Among ICU Nurses: A Multi-Center Cross-Sectional Study

Why It Matters

Effective alarm management reduces alarm fatigue, improves patient safety, and lowers ICU adverse events, making these findings critical for hospital quality initiatives.

Key Takeaways

• Average KAP score 66.22, 80.8% compliance rate
• Education level strongly predicts alarm management competence
• Training participation boosts nurses' alarm knowledge
• Personal or family ICU experience enhances attitudes
• Managers should prioritize education‑focused alarm training

Pulse Analysis

Alarm fatigue remains a persistent challenge in intensive care units worldwide, contributing to missed alerts and compromised patient outcomes. Multi‑parameter monitor alarms, while essential for early detection of physiological deterioration, can overwhelm staff when not properly managed. Understanding how frontline nurses perceive and handle these alarms is therefore a cornerstone of safety culture, especially in high‑acuity environments where rapid response is non‑negotiable.

The Chinese study surveyed 813 ICU nurses across nine tertiary hospitals, revealing a moderate overall KAP score of 66.22 out of a possible 82, equivalent to an 80.76% score rate. Statistical modeling highlighted four key determinants: higher educational attainment, participation in dedicated alarm‑management training, personal hospitalization experience, and having family members who have spent time in an ICU. These factors collectively explain variance in both knowledge and practical response to alarms, suggesting that experiential learning and formal education synergistically elevate competency.

For nursing leaders, the implications are actionable. Tailored educational programs that simulate real‑world alarm scenarios can bridge gaps for nurses lacking formal training or personal exposure. Incorporating debriefings after actual ICU admissions—whether personal or familial—may reinforce the relevance of alarm protocols. By focusing resources on these high‑impact levers, hospitals can mitigate alarm fatigue, improve response times, and ultimately enhance patient safety metrics. Future research should explore longitudinal effects of such interventions and assess scalability across diverse healthcare systems.