Alarms in hospitals: The fatigue problems and the improvisations in sociotechnical perspective

Abstract: Introduction Alarms have always been an agent of notification, but it can also be distressing and annoying. As much as the sounds of alarm effects the patient’s care and their well-being, it also impacts on the well-being of the healthcare workers which often goes unnoticed as the priority is on the patient-care. Purpose The purpose of the thesis was to investigate the problems of the alarms fatigue and how the improvisations can be done technically and in the point of management and technical organization. Methods The study was conducted through interviews to healthcare staffs and the management of the departments. Four participants from two different hospitals participated in the interview session. Result and Analysis The results obtained from the interviews are analysed with the literature reviews that have been studied and the outcome from the interview tallies on the findings from the literature studies. Additional measures have been implemented based on observation and feedback among the healthcare workers. Conclusion The interview feedback supports the studies of the literature reviews and the measures that have been practiced and implemented to improve the workflow and fatigue issues based on the feedback of the hospital interviews have shown improvements in some departments. The outcome can be presented as a suggestion on future improvements, with better access to newer technology on making working efficiency better.