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Peer-reviewedCC BY 4.0Journal of Nursing Management

Reducing Noise and Alarm Burden in Adult Intensive Care Units: An Integrative Review of Interventions and Implications for Nursing Management

  • Wei Jun Dan Ong1,2
  • Michael Camba Vidanes1
  • Woon Hean Keenan Chong3
  • Faheem Ahmed Khan3
  • Patricia Leong4
  • Lawrence Ace Matunan Azul1
  • Adrian Ujin Yap5,6
6 affiliations
  1. 1Respiratory Therapy Department Ng Teng Fong General Hospital National University Health System Singapore nuhs.edu.sg
  2. 2Department of Health Sciences College of Health Sciences Rush University Chicago Illinois USA rush.edu
  3. 3Department of Intensive Care Medicine Ng Teng Fong General Hospital National University Health System Singapore nuhs.edu.sg
  4. 4Nursing Administration Ng Teng Fong General Hospital National University Health System Singapore nuhs.edu.sg
  5. 5Clinical Research Unit Ng Teng Fong General Hospital National University Health System Singapore nuhs.edu.sg
  6. 6National Dental Research Institute Singapore, National Dental Centre Singapore, and Duke-NUS Medical School Singapore Health Services Singapore singhealth.com.sg
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Abstract

Aim: To synthesise evidence on noise‐reduction and alarm‐management strategies in adult intensive care units and examine their implications for nursing management.

Background: ICU noise and alarm burden present challenges for patient rest, clinical surveillance, nursing workflow and staff experience. Intervention effectiveness and sustainability remain uncertain.

Evaluation: An integrative review guided by Whittemore and Knafl’s framework synthesised empirical, implementation and review‐level evidence identified through PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL and reference screening.

Key Issues: Interventions addressed alarm management, environmental modification, quiet‐hour practices, staff engagement and multicomponent implementation. Reported benefits varied across studies, and available evidence did not establish the superiority of bundled approaches. Direct evidence concerning workforce well‐being, nursing leadership, clinical surveillance and sustained improvement was limited.

Conclusion: Quiet ICU interventions may improve selected acoustic and alarm‐related outcomes, but their comparative effectiveness and long‐term sustainability remain uncertain.

Implications for Nursing Management: Nurse leaders may consider context‐sensitive interventions supported by alarm governance, workflow integration, staff participation and ongoing evaluation. Future studies should assess nursing workload, clinical surveillance, patient safety and sustainability alongside acoustic outcomes.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{ong2026reducing,
  title = {{Reducing Noise and Alarm Burden in Adult Intensive Care Units: An Integrative Review of Interventions and Implications for Nursing Management}},
  author = {Wei Jun Dan Ong and Michael Camba Vidanes and Woon Hean Keenan Chong and Faheem Ahmed Khan and Patricia Leong and Lawrence Ace Matunan Azul and Adrian Ujin Yap},
  journal = {Journal of Nursing Management},
  year = {2026},
  month = oct,
  doi = {10.1155/jonm/9617407},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1155/jonm/9617407},
  note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Reducing Noise and Alarm Burden in Adult Intensive Care Units: An Integrative Review of Interventions and Implications for Nursing Management
AU  - Wei Jun Dan Ong
AU  - Michael Camba Vidanes
AU  - Woon Hean Keenan Chong
AU  - Faheem Ahmed Khan
AU  - Patricia Leong
AU  - Lawrence Ace Matunan Azul
AU  - Adrian Ujin Yap
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/10/29
JO  - Journal of Nursing Management
DO  - 10.1155/jonm/9617407
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1155/jonm/9617407
AB  - Aim: To synthesise evidence on noise‐reduction and alarm‐management strategies in adult intensive care units and examine their implications for nursing management.  Background: ICU noise and alarm burden present challenges for patient rest, clinical surveillance, nursing workflow and staff experience. Intervention effectiveness and sustainability remain uncertain.  Evaluation: An integrative review guided by Whittemore and Knafl’s framework synthesised empirical, implementation and review‐level evidence identified through PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL and reference screening.  Key Issues: Interventions addressed alarm management, environmental modification, quiet‐hour practices, staff engagement and multicomponent implementation. Reported benefits varied across studies, and available evidence did not establish the superiority of bundled approaches. Direct evidence concerning workforce well‐being, nursing leadership, clinical surveillance and sustained improvement was limited.  Conclusion: Quiet ICU interventions may improve selected acoustic and alarm‐related outcomes, but their comparative effectiveness and long‐term sustainability remain uncertain.  Implications for Nursing Management: Nurse leaders may consider context‐sensitive interventions supported by alarm governance, workflow integration, staff participation and ongoing evaluation. Future studies should assess nursing workload, clinical surveillance, patient safety and sustainability alongside acoustic outcomes.
SN  - 0966-0429
SN  - 1365-2834
ER  -