What is aimed at improving in Goal 9 of the NPSGs?

Goal 9 of the National Patient Safety Goals (NPSGs) specifically focuses on reducing patient harm associated with the use of clinical alarm systems. This goal is critical because alarm systems in healthcare settings, while designed to alert staff to potential patient issues, can often be a source of alarm fatigue due to their frequency and sometimes unnecessary alerts. By concentrating on this area, the NPSGs aim to ensure that alarms serve their intended purpose effectively, ensuring patient safety by minimizing missed alarms and reducing the risk of adverse events associated with alarm misuse or oversight.

This goal encourages healthcare organizations to take actionable steps, such as evaluating their alarm systems, developing best practices for alarm management, and educating staff on the appropriate use of alarms. Such measures contribute to improving overall patient safety and quality of care within healthcare settings.