Date of Conferral

8-29-2025

Degree

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

School

Nursing

Advisor

Maria Revell

Abstract

Summary This project was an evidence-based staff education initiative to reduce alarm fatigue and enhance patient safety through telemetry optimization in an acute care setting. The core issue involved the overuse of continuous cardiac monitoring, which contributed to nonactionable alarms, alarm fatigue, workflow inefficiencies, delayed throughput, and increased costs. The project was a structured intervention delivered to 171 telemetry nurses across three inpatient units. Pretests and posttests measured changes in knowledge, intent, and practice. Results showed a 22.9% increase in knowledge, a 92% agreement regarding intention to follow discontinuation protocols, and a 10% overall reduction in practice of telemetry use on two of the three units. Likert scores for implementation intention demonstrated improvement in scores and overall percent for all units (1W, 3.41 to 4.26, 25%; 2W, 4.26 to 4.48, 5.2%; 3W, 4.14 to 4.25, 2.6%). The mean post-30-day Likert score was 3/5, indicating overall neutrality in sustaining project practices. However, participants reported higher confidence in discontinuing monitoring (3.4/5), perceived effectiveness in reducing alarm fatigue (3.2/5), and improved patient safety through reduced false alarms and better transitions (3.5/5). Implementing equitable, evidence-based monitoring practices can standardize care delivery, foster psychological safety in the workplace, and improve nurse well-being, retention, and health equity. This project included an educational design that has the potential to enhance patient telemetry management, reduce care gaps, and promote positive social change by mitigating alarm fatigue and improving patient safety in clinical settings.

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