Machine Alarm Fatigue among Hemodialysis Nurses in 29 Tertiary Hospitals.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To understand the status quo and related influencing factors of machine alarm fatigue of hemodialysis nurses in tertiary hospitals in Liaoning Province. METHODS: This cross-sectional study employed convenience sampling to select 460 nurses from 29 tertiary hospitals in Liaoning Province, who are involved in hemodialysis care. Surveys were conducted using the General Information Questionnaire, Alarm Fatigue Scale, National Aeronautics and Space Administration Task Load Index, and Maslach Burnout Inventory Scale. RESULTS: The overall machine alarm fatigue score for 460 hemodialysis nurses from 29 tertiary hospitals in Liaoning Province was 17.04 ± 3.21, indicating a moderate level. The multiple linear regression analysis shows that years of experience in hemodialysis nursing, the number of patients managed per shift, whether specialized nursing training has been received, self-reported health status, emotional exhaustion, and workload have statistically significant associations with alarm fatigue among hemodialysis nurses (p < 0.05). Among them, the years of experience in hemodialysis nursing are negatively correlated with alarm fatigue among hemodialysis nurses, whereas the number of patients managed per shift and workload are positively correlated with alarm fatigue among hemodialysis nurses. CONCLUSION: This study indicates that certain demographic factors, workload, and occupational burnout are associated with machine alarm fatigue among hemodialysis nurses. Therefore, hemodialysis-related managers should establish a Machine Alarm Management System, implement Personalized Thresholds and Delayed Alarms, ensure reasonable staffing arrangements, improve compassion fatigue, and enhance anticipatory care. Our findings have implications for improving the health and well-being of hemodialysis nurses, providing a conducive environment for professional training in hemodialysis, and ultimately addressing the current situation of machine alarm fatigue among hemodialysis nurses.