To continue getting breaking news and the full stories from The Boston Globe, subscribe today.

The Boston Globe

Health & wellness

March 26, 2012

FDA working to trim hospital ‘alarm fatigue’

Steps up review that beeping devices undergo before they hit market

The US Food and Drug Administration is seeking to reduce “alarm fatigue’’ in hospitals by intensifying its pre-market review of medical devices that sound alarms and could contribute to the desensitization of nurses - a problem that the Globe reported last year was linked to hundreds of deaths. The agency is providing additional training on alarm standards and alarm safety to its reviewers, who are responsible for scrutinizing 4,000 applications a year from device manufacturers.

Are you a home delivery subscriber?

Get FREE access as part of your print subscription

Start Here

Contact us for help

Comments