A Scoping Review: The Impact of IV Smart Pump Air-in-Line Alarms in Oncology Care.

BACKGROUND

IV smart pumps (IVSPs) are essential for antineoplastic infusion delivery. However, air-in-line (AIL) alarms, a common IVSP alarm, may contribute to alarm fatigue, treatment delays, and workflow inefficiencies, affecting patient safety, wasted time, and nursing workload.

OBJECTIVES

This scoping review examines the literature on IVSP alarms, with a focus on AIL alarms. The review sought to identify the frequency and causes of these alarms, their relationship with alarm fatigue, and their implications on patient safety, time burden, and nursing practice.

METHODS

The primary author searched PubMed®, Scopus®, and CINAHL® for English-language articles published from January 1, 2000, to September 30, 2024, with a focus on IVSP alarms, patient impact, and nursing outcomes. Of 197 entries screened, 37 full-text articles met inclusion criteria.

FINDINGS: Evidence suggests that AIL alarms contribute to nonactionable alerts and treatment delays, with alarm fatigue being an underexplored concern in oncology. In outpatient settings, oncology nurses face frequent workflow interruptions, compounded by inconsistent alarm management and underused IVSP-generated data review. Limited evidence highlights the need to further investigate these disruptions.