Efficacy of an intervention to reduce interruptions during the preparation and administration of medication

Section: Originals

How to quote

Tapia-Melenchón R, Sanclemente-Boli T, Álvarez-Lorenzo C, Zuriguel-Pérez E. Efectividad de una intervención para reducir las interrupciones durante la preparación y administración de medicación. Metas Enferm sep 2021; 24(7):49-56. Doi: https://doi.org/10.35667/MetasEnf.2021.24.1003081798

Authors

Raquel Tapia-Melenchón1,2, Teresa Sanclemente-Boli1,2, Consuelo Álvarez-Lorenzo1, Esperanza Zuriguel-Pérez2

Position

1Unidad de Ortogeriatría. Hospital Universitario Vall d’Hebron. Vall d’Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus2Grupo de Investigación Multidisciplinario de Enfermería. Vall d’Hebron Instituto de Investigación (VHIR). Vall d’Hebron Hospital Universitari. Vall d’Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus

Contact address

Raquel Tapia-Melenchón. Hospital de Traumatología, Rehabilitación y Quemados. Hospital Universitario Vall d’Hebron. Vall d’Hebron Barcelona Hospital C

Contact email: rtapia@vhebron.net

Abstract

Objective: to analyze the efficacy of implementing the multi-intervention “Zero Interruptions Program” (ZIP) to reduce the number of interruptions during the process of preparation and administration of medications (PPAM) in the hospital setting, and to increase the satisfaction of Nursing professionals.
Method: an analytical, quasi-experimental, pre-post intervention with a single arm in an Orthopedic Surgery Unit in the hospital setting. Sociodemographic and professional data were collected from the participants, as well as self-reported number of interruptions according to the person causing the interruption, other reasons, and work shift when these occurred, and variables of perception of time spent for PPAM and satisfaction regarding the process. A descriptive analysis was conducted, as well as a pre-post comparison of proportions at two months, with the t test for paired samples, considering p< 0.05 as statistically significant.
Results: the study included 23 female nurses and seven male nurses. In total, 839 interruptions were recorded before the ZIP and 484 after it. The persons who generated more interruptions were Nursing Assistants (24.3% before and 22.7% after), and the main reasons not originated by persons were those associated with the treatment (24.3% and 22.2% respectively) (p> 0.05). There was a significant reduction in interruptions during the day shift, by 51.3% p< 0,01) and in the night shift, with a 22.8% reduction (p= 0,03). There was a significant increase in the satisfaction of professionales after the ZIP (p= 0.01).
Conclusions: the ZIP has shown efficacy in the reduction of the total number of interruptions during the PPAM, and in the increase of the level of satisfaction of the Nursing team regarding this process.

Keywords:

medication errors; administration of pharmacological treatment; patient safety; safety; safety administration; interruptions

Versión en Español

Título:

Efectividad de una intervención para reducir las interrupciones durante la preparación y administración de medicación