Examining the relationship between alarm fatigue, nurses’ stress, and patient safety at critical care units in Saudi hospitals: A survey-based study

BackgroundAlarm fatigue is a growing concern in critical care units (CCUs), where frequent non-actionable alarms contribute to nurse desensitization, stress, and compromised patient safety. In Saudi Arabia's rapidly evolving healthcare system, understanding these dynamics is crucial for improving care quality and staff well-being.AimThis study aimed to assess the prevalence of alarm fatigue and perceived stress among critical care nurses in Saudi hospitals, explore their interrelationship, and evaluate their impact on perceptions of patient safety.MethodsA descriptive correlational cross-sectional research design was adopted. Using a convenient sampling approach composed of 190 CCU nurses across seven Saudi hospitals. Three validated instruments including the Alarm Fatigue Scale, Perceived Stress Scale, and Safety Attitudes Questionnaire were used in this study. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-tests, analysis of variance, and Pearson's correlations.ResultsFindings revealed moderate alarm fatigue (mean = 24.34, SD = 8.56) and stress (mean = 16.75, SD = 9.43). Alarm fatigue correlated with stress (<i>r</i> = 0.286, <i>p</i> < 0.01) and negatively with safety climate (<i>r</i> = 0.377) and teamwork climate (<i>r</i> = 0.402).ConclusionAlarm fatigue significantly influences stress levels and safety perceptions among critical care nurses, underscoring the need for targeted, context-specific interventions. Standardized alarm management protocols, culturally relevant staff training, and the adoption of intelligent alarm filtering systems are recommended to reduce cognitive overload, enhance nurse well-being, and strengthen patient safety culture in Saudi CCUs.