A Qualitative Research On Influencing Factors Of Nurses’ Response Behavior To Cardiac Monitor Alarms

Objective:This study aimed to understand the clinical nurses’ experience on reacting to cardiac monitor alarms through the interview,to identify the main factors influencing their response behavior to cardiac monitor alarms.Then put forward some targeted suggestions for nursing managers to make effective clinical alarm management scheme to provide empirical basis.Methods:Phenomenology in qualitative research was adopted.15 nurses from different grade hospitals in X city were purposively recruited and in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted.Record pen was used to record the whole conversation.Interviewees manners,expression changes,tones and talk speed was also observed and recorded.The recording materials were then translated literally into text materials word for word,double-checked.Colaizzi Analyzing method was used to analyze the materials.Result:After repeated reading,analysis and reflection on the interview data,classified and refined,finally it is concluded that four themes.1.The nurses’ understanding of the purpose of setting the cardiac monitor alarms;2.The clues of nurses’ actions responding to cardiac monitor alarms:① patients’ condition② job responsibilities③ stress from others④ need of nurses⑤ experience⑥ patients’ safety3.The obstacles of nurses to respond to cardiac monitor alarms:① heavy work load② difficulty in receiving cardiac monitor alarms in time③ too many false cardiac monitor alarms④ demand of patients ’ side for rest4.The risk awareness of nurses to cardiac monitor alarms.Conclusions:Nurses have improper response behavior to cardiac monitor alarms,such as:the delay response,no response,and disable the alarms and so on;Nurses’ response behavior to cardiac monitor alarms is affected by many factors,including:the nurses’understanding of the purpose of setting the cardiac monitor alarms,the clues of nurses’actions responding to cardiac monitor alarms,the obstacles of nurses to respond to cardiac monitor alarms and the risk awareness of nurses to cardiac monitor alarms.Nursing managers should stand by the nurses to understand their behavior,then realize the safe management of cardiac monitor alarms by relieving nurses’ work load,strengthening the related education and training to increase nurses’ risk consciousness and improve the quality of the cardiac monitor alarms,improving its notification systems and strengthening coordination between nurses and patients.