Junwen Zhao1, Xiaoling Zhang1, Qiaoling Lan1, Wuni Wang1, Yinsha Cai1, Xiaohua Xie2, Jianfei Xie3, Yingchun Zeng4. 1. Department of Pediatrics, The Second People's Hospital of Shenzhen, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China. 2. Department of Nursing, The Second People's Hospital of Shenzhen, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China. 3. Department of Surgery, The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China. 4. Department of Nursing, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
Abstract
PURPOSE: The objectives of this study were to describe (a) the frequency of interruptions experienced by a pediatric nurse per hour, (b) the sources of interruptions experienced by a pediatric nurse, and (c) the interruption outcomes during pediatric medication administration. DESIGN AND METHODS: This design of this study was a cross-sectional observational study. A convenience sample of pediatric nurses was used in this study. The interruption observation sheet was used to collect data about the frequency, sources, and outcomes of interruptions. RESULTS: There was a total of 43 nurses were observed in more than 180 medication administration rounds. An interruption rate of 94.51% occurred during pediatric medication administration. The frequency of interruptions was three or more times (51.04%). The most common source of interruption was attributed to the working environment (32.37%). The second most frequent reason for interruption came from personnel, such as caregivers (24.48%), followed by physicians (10.79%), and other nursing staff (9.54%). The third most common source of interruption was communication issues, including patient interviews, patient reports, and case discussion (8.71%). Six errors (2.49%) were reported out of 241 interruptions as a result of interruptions. In specific, causes of errors during pediatric medication administration were due to wrong medication dose. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: This study provides important information on interruptions experienced by pediatric nurses during medication administration in Chinese hospital settings and found that interruptions frequently occur in pediatric units.
PURPOSE: The objectives of this study were to describe (a) the frequency of interruptions experienced by a pediatric nurse per hour, (b) the sources of interruptions experienced by a pediatric nurse, and (c) the interruption outcomes during pediatric medication administration. DESIGN AND METHODS: This design of this study was a cross-sectional observational study. A convenience sample of pediatric nurses was used in this study. The interruption observation sheet was used to collect data about the frequency, sources, and outcomes of interruptions. RESULTS: There was a total of 43 nurses were observed in more than 180 medication administration rounds. An interruption rate of 94.51% occurred during pediatric medication administration. The frequency of interruptions was three or more times (51.04%). The most common source of interruption was attributed to the working environment (32.37%). The second most frequent reason for interruption came from personnel, such as caregivers (24.48%), followed by physicians (10.79%), and other nursing staff (9.54%). The third most common source of interruption was communication issues, including patient interviews, patient reports, and case discussion (8.71%). Six errors (2.49%) were reported out of 241 interruptions as a result of interruptions. In specific, causes of errors during pediatric medication administration were due to wrong medication dose. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: This study provides important information on interruptions experienced by pediatric nurses during medication administration in Chinese hospital settings and found that interruptions frequently occur in pediatric units.