Rounds in the General Hospital Prim Care Companion CNS Disord July 2026

The Meaning of Monitoring Among Patients and Their Families in Critical Care Units

PCC CNS Disord 2026;28(4):10.4088/PCC.25f04175

Full Article Read the complete peer-reviewed article in Prim Care Companion CNS Disord. Clinical Summary Critically ill patients and their families often look to ICU monitors for reassurance and control, yet the same alarms and data displays can intensify anxiety, disrupt sleep, and undermine trust. Recognizing when monitoring is helping versus harming is important because alarm-related distress may affect both immediate ICU experience and longer-term psychiatric and medical sequelae. FAQ Why are ICU monitors usually placed behind the patient's bed instead of directly in front of the patient?

Key Takeaways Alarm burden in ICUs is substantial: one 77-bed ICU recorded 2,558,760 unique physiological alarms in a single month, and between 350 and 771 alarms sound each day, with 63%–90% classified as false alarms; this volume helps explain why repeated nonactionable alerts can heighten patient distress and staff alarm fatigue. Clinical Guide How should clinicians explain ICU monitoring devices and alarms to patients and families to reduce anxiety and misunderstanding? Clinical Guide How should clinicians respond when ICU monitoring devices and alarms are causing ongoing distress for patients or families?