@article{3505,
  author = {Sue Sendelbach and Sharon Wahl and Anita Anthony and Pam Shotts},
  title = {Stop the Noise: A Quality Improvement Project to Decrease Electrocardiographic Nuisance Alarms.},
  abstract = {<p><b>BACKGROUND: </b>As many as 99% of alarm signals may not need any intervention and can result in patients' deaths. Alarm management is now a Joint Commission National Patient Safety Goal.</p><p><b>OBJECTIVES: </b>To reduce the number of nuisance electrocardiographic alarm signals in adult patients on the medical cardiovascular care unit.</p><p><b>METHODS: </b>A quality improvement process was used that included eliminating duplicative alarms, customizing alarms, changing electrocardiography electrodes daily, standardizing skin preparation, and using disposable electrocardiography leads.</p><p><b>RESULTS: </b>In the cardiovascular care unit, the mean number of electrocardiographic alarm signals per day decreased from 28.5 (baseline) to 3.29, an 88.5% reduction.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION: </b>Use of a bundled approach to managing alarm signals decreased the mean number of alarm signals in a cardiovascular care unit.</p>},
  year = {2015},
  journal = {Crit Care Nurse},
  volume = {35},
  pages = {15-22; quiz 1p following 22},
  month = {08/2015},
  issn = {1940-8250},
  doi = {10.4037/ccn2015858},
  language = {eng},
}