Development of evidence-based guidelines for the management of medical device alarms that aim to improve patient safety within Australian intensive care units: a mixed method study.

Project Description:
The aim of this research is to understand the current practice in alarm management in the critical care environment and to develop a draft set of evidenced based guidelines for the management of alarms used in Level II and III ICUs across Australia.

Are you eligible?
• are currently employed in the Australian healthcare service as a registered nurse, and
• work in an adult Level II or Level III intensive care unit (ICU), with
• a minimum of six months ICU experience.

Phase 1: Behaviours and strategies in the management of medical device alarms by critical care nurses in the Australian context: a quantitative study

You are invited to participate in an online survey (approximately 20-30 minutes), exploring medical device alarm management in adult ICUs across Australia with the aim to understand behaviours and strategies that our ICU nurses are utilising in the management of the alarms.

Participation is entirely voluntary.

Some participants may also choose to take part in a follow-up focus group.

Further details are available in the Survey Participant Information and Consent Form

How to participate link: click here to complete the online survey (note you will need to enter the code below to access the survey)
Enter Code: TA8E8CXPM

Ethics Approval Number:
AU HREC 4944
Closing Date: 31 December 2026


Phase 2: Current best practices in alarm management by nurses working in the Australian ICU (Levels II and III) critical care environment: a qualitative study

Participants are also invited to take part in a focus group in Phase 2. Participation involves semi-structured interviews lasting approximately 45-60 minutes, conducted online at a time convenient to you. Participation is entirely voluntary.

Interest in this phase can be registered at the completion of the survey or via email to Vivienne.leigh@adelaide.edu.au

Further details are available in the Focus Group Participant Information and Consent Form

Ethics Approval Number: AU HREC 4944
Closing date: 31 December 2026