TABLE 2.

Responses in Percentages to Clinical Alarm Survey

Statements	Agree or Strongly Agree	Neutral	Disagree or Strongly Disagree
1) The purpose of clinical alarms is to alert staff of hazardous patient condition	100.0%	—	—
2) Alarm sounds and/or visual displays should differentiate alarm priority	100.0%	—	—
3) Alarm sounds and/or visual displays should be distinct based on source	84.6%	15.4%	—
4) Alarms should affect multiple senses (audible, visual, proprioceptive, etc.)	92.3%	7.7%	—
5) Nuisance alarms occur frequently	84.6%	7.7%	7.7%
6) Nuisance alarms disrupt patient care	84.6%	15.4%	—
7) Nuisance alarms reduce trust in alarms and cause caregivers to turn them off	53.8%	46.2%	—
8) The alarms used on my floor/area are adequate to alert staff	69.2%	15.4%	15.4%
9) There have been frequent instances where alarms could not be heard	53.8%	7.7%	38.5%
10) The staff is sensitive to alarms and responds quickly	30.8%	23%	46.2%
11) It can be confusing to determine which device is in alarm	46.2%	15.3%	38.5%
12) A central alarm management staff is helpful	46.2%	7.7%	23.1%
13) Alarm integration and communication systems via wireless devices (e.g., pager and cell phone) are useful in improving alarm management and response	23.1%	53.8%	23.1%
14) Smart alarms would be effective in reducing false alarms and improving response	84.6%	15.4%	—
15) Policies and procedures exist within the facility to regulate alarms, and they are followed	23.1%	30.7%	46.2%
16) There is a requirement in your institution to document that the alarms are set and are appropriate for each patient	30.8%	23%	46.2%