Background: An estimated 85% to 99% of electrocardiographic (ECG) alarms are false, leading to alarm fatigue, which is associated with increased risk of death among hospitalized patients.
Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the effect of proper skin preparation and electrode placement on frequency of ECG alarms on a telemetry unit.
Method: A prospective descriptive design was used to test the effect of proper skin preparation and ECG electrode placement. Purposive sampling of patients (n = 15) admitted to a telemetry hospital in a suburban Veterans Affairs Medical Center was used. Alarms were counted for 24 hours after admission, electrodes were replaced using proper technique, and alarms were counted for 24 hours after electrode change. Bootstrapping was used to double the sample size for analysis.
Results: Electrocardiographic alarms decreased significantly (P < .05) after proper skin preparation and electrode placement (95% confidence interval, 1.273-82.327).
Discussion: Proper skin preparation and ECG electrode placement reduced alarms. Reducing alarm frequency is vital to decreasing alarm fatigue and increasing patient safety.