ABSTRACT
Objective:
To characterize the sound alarms of the Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump (IABP) during aortic counterpulsation therapy; to measure the stimulus-response time of the team to these; and to discuss the implications of increasing this time for patient safety from the alarm fatigue perspective.
Method:
This is an observational and descriptive study with quantitative and qualitative approach, case study type, carried out in a Cardiac Surgical Intensive Care Unit.
Results:
The most audible IABP alarm was the one of high priority increased-reduced diastolic blood pressure. The stimulus-response time was 33.9 seconds on average.
Conclusion:
Managing the alarms of these equipment is essential to minimize the occurrence of the alarm fatigue phenomenon and to offer a safer assistance to patients who rely on this technology.
Descriptors:
Critical Care; Monitoring; Clinical Alarms; Near Miss; Patient Safety
