Clinical practice.
Distractions are everywhere. They may include cellphones, multiple alarms sounding, overhead paging, beeping monitors, and interruptions that disrupt your clinical practice.
Give an example of an ethical or legal issue that may arise if a patient has a poor outcome or sentinel event because of a distraction such as alarm fatigue. What does evidence reveal about alarm fatigue and distractions in healthcare when it comes to patient safety?
Sample Answer
Ethical and Legal Issues Arising from Alarm Fatigue and Distractions in Healthcare
In the bustling environment of healthcare settings, distractions are an ever-present reality. From the constant buzz of notifications to the persistent chirping of alarms, these distractions can disrupt clinical practice and pose significant risks to patient safety. One of the most concerning consequences of distractions is alarm fatigue, a phenomenon that occurs when healthcare providers become desensitized to the incessant barrage of alarms, leading to missed or delayed interventions with potentially detrimental outcomes for patients.