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Published on: July 22, 2010
Interruptions during drug rounds: an observational study
Simon Kreckler1, Ken Catchpole, Matthew Bottomley
1Nuffield Department of Surgery, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK.
British Journal of Nursing (Mark Allen Publishing)
|December 9, 2008
Summary
Interruptions during drug administration rounds significantly impact patient safety. Nurses spend 11% of their time on distractions, highlighting a critical need for solutions to minimize these disruptions in healthcare settings.
Area of Science:
- Nursing Practice
- Patient Safety
- Healthcare Management
Background:
- Drug administration errors are a significant cause of patient harm.
- Distractions during medication rounds are a suspected contributing factor.
- Understanding the nature and frequency of interruptions is crucial for improving safety.
Purpose of the Study:
- To objectively quantify the frequency, duration, and sources of interruptions during drug administration rounds.
- To compare observed interruption patterns with nurses' subjective impressions.
- To identify potential targets for interventions aimed at reducing distractions.
Main Methods:
- Prospective observational study of 38 drug administration rounds on an acute surgical ward.
- Systematic recording of round duration, interruption frequency, and interruption nature.
- Categorization of interruption sources (doctors, nurses, patients, phone calls, relatives, self-initiated).
Main Results:
- Interruptions consumed an average of 11% of drug round time.
- Two-thirds of rounds experienced at least one interruption (average 2.61 per round).
- Longest interruptions stemmed from patient conversations (mean 249s) and phone calls (mean 212s).
Conclusions:
- Interruptions are frequent and pose a significant safety hazard during drug administration.
- Objective data on interruptions are vital for developing effective, sustainable solutions.
- Frontline staff involvement and local context are essential for successful intervention implementation.
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