Background: Overuse of non-ICU continuous adult cardiac (telemetry) monitoring is a well-documented problem that can lead to increase hospital cost, alarm desensitization, nursing time loss, and patient discomfort 1,2. Previous studies assessing reduction of inappropriate telemetry use have employed a combination of electronic health record (EHR) order, nursing protocol changes, intensive educational, and/or feedback initiatives […]

Background: In order to reduce overuse, many hospitals have conducted studies and implemented protocols with the goal of reducing non-indicated telemetry monitoring. A common tool that institutions utilize for these changes are the clinical decision support systems (CDSS). In this report, we will present the telemetry protocol utilized by our hospital and review its effects […]

Background: The most recent guidelines regarding telemetry monitoring use and indications was published by the American Heart Association (AHA) in 2017.(1) However, most institutions lack evidence-based protocols to guide telemetry usage which could improve overuse. Telemetry monitoring overuse in non-critical patients has been recognized as a contributing factor to healthcare cost, length of stay and […]

Background: Telemetry over utilization increases wasted spending, increases alarm fatigue, and creates patient safety risks. Despite the presence of American Heart Association (AHA) practice guidelines, patients are often placed on telemetry for inappropriate reasons at the discretion of the medical provider and are monitored for longer than anticipated. The goal of this quality improvement project […]

Background: Telemetry beyond 48 hours is indicated for a select patient population and when used inappropriately has risk. This includes increased cost of care, skin irritation, delirium contribution, and more likely to have false positives resulting in errors or extending length of stay.To encourage care that is truly necessary, free of harm, not duplicative, and […]