Exploring the Relationship Between Alarm Fatigue and Compassion Fatigue Among Critical Care Nurses

BACKGROUND: Alarm fatigue, characterized by desensitization resulting from excessive clinical alarms, can compromise patient safety. Compassion fatigue, defined as the emotional toll of caring for patients in distress, is a recognized occupational hazard among nurses. Both alarm fatigue and compassion fatigue are significant stressors that negatively affect nurses' professional well-being and the quality of patient care. AIM: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between alarm fatigue and compassion fatigue among critical care nurses including those working in intensive care units (ICUs) and the emergency department (ED). STUDY DESIGN: A descriptive, cross-sectional research design was employed to assess the levels of alarm fatigue and compassion fatigue and to examine whether a significant relationship exists between these two phenomena. The study was conducted between June and October 2024 with the nurses working in ICUs and ED of a hospital in Türkiye. Data were collected using a Personal Information Form, the Alarm Fatigue Questionnaire, and the Compassion Fatigue Scale. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation, number, percentage), the One-way ANOVA, Independent T-test and Ki-kare tests, and Pearson correlation analysis. RESULTS: A total of 209 nurses participated in the study. Nurses reported moderate levels of alarm fatigue (mean AFQ = 19.84 ± 6.49) and compassion fatigue (mean CFS = 80.71 ± 14.94), with 30.6% meeting the threshold for high compassion fatigue. Correlation and regression analyses indicated a weak, non-significant negative association between alarm fatigue and compassion fatigue (r = -0.120, p = 0.083). No significant differences were found in alarm or compassion fatigue scores across demographic or work-related factors such as age, gender, education, years of experience, shift type, weekly working hours, hospital bed capacity, or unit type. CONCLUSIONS: Critical care nurses experienced moderate levels of both alarm fatigue and compassion fatigue. The lack of a statistically significant relationship suggests that these phenomena may be influenced by distinct factors rather than being directly interrelated. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Moderate levels of both alarm fatigue and compassion fatigue highlight the need to increase awareness of these occupational challenges. Implementing institutional support, including workload management, training programs and access to psychological support, can help nurses cope with these stressors. Although quality of care was not directly measured, addressing these fatigue types may indirectly support safe and effective patient care in critical care settings.