What is the term for the desensitization to alarms due to excessive alerts in a healthcare setting?

The term describing the desensitization to alarms as a result of being exposed to excessive alerts in a healthcare setting is alarm fatigue. This phenomenon occurs when healthcare professionals become overwhelmed by the constant barrage of alarm sounds, leading to a decreased response to alarms that may indicate critical patient conditions. As staff members learn to ignore or dismiss these alerts, the risk of missed life-threatening situations increases, which can compromise patient safety.

Alarm fatigue highlights the importance of proper alarm settings and the necessity to streamline the alarm system in healthcare environments to ensure that critical alerts are noticed and acted upon in a timely manner. Effective alarm management strategies are vital for maintaining a conducive clinical environment and protecting patient welfare.