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Updated: Jun 18, 2026
06:59
A Novel Approach for the Administration of Medications and Fluids in Emergency Scenarios and Settings
Published on: November 9, 2016
Characteristics of work interruptions during medication administration
Alain D Biron1, Mélanie Lavoie-Tremblay, Carmen G Loiselle
1McGill University, School of Nursing, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. alain.biron@mail.mcgill.ca
Summary
Nurses experienced frequent work interruptions (WIs) during medication administration, primarily from colleagues and system failures. Reducing these interruptions is key to improving medication administration safety.
Area of Science:
- Nursing Practice
- Patient Safety
- Healthcare Systems
Background:
- Work interruptions (WIs) are common in healthcare settings.
- Medication administration is a critical nursing task susceptible to disruptions.
- Understanding the characteristics of WIs is crucial for enhancing patient safety.
Purpose of the Study:
- To document the characteristics of nurses' work interruptions during medication administration.
- To identify the sources, secondary tasks, and management strategies of WIs.
- To provide data for interventions aimed at reducing WIs.
Main Methods:
- A descriptive observational study design was employed.
- Data were collected during 102 medication administration rounds on a single medical unit.
- Direct structured observation captured WI characteristics: source, secondary task, location, management, and duration.
Main Results:
- A total of 374 WIs were observed (6.3 WI/hr).
- During preparation, nurse colleagues and system failures were frequent interruption sources.
- During administration, self-initiation and patients were common sources; direct patient care was the most frequent secondary task.
Conclusions:
- Medication administration is significantly impacted by work interruptions, posing risks to patient safety.
- Interventions should target nurses and system failures to reduce WIs.
- Reducing WIs is essential for maximizing medication administration safety.
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