Assessing the Suitability of Interruption Intervention Strategies in Nursing Medication Administration: A Delphi Study

Abstract

Purpose: This study explored the suitability of interventions for medication interruption and intervention preferences.Methods: Two rounds of Delphi surveys were conducted with 18 expert panels comprising staff (or charge) nurses, nursing managers, and Quality Improvement (QI) team nurses working in a tertiary general hospital. For 47 situations involving the location of interruption, medication step, and source of interruption, the suitability of three interventions (no-interruption zone, medication safety vest, and education) was evaluated using a 5-point scale.Results: A total of 51 interventions for each situation were found appropriate by satisfying the degree of convergence and consensus. Patients or caregivers, peer nurses, doctors, telephones, and call bells were sources of interruption and were identified as appropriate for the application of interventions. 'Responding to requests and inquiries' by patients or caregivers showed high overall suitability. The nurses' preferred color for the intervention design (no-interruption zone, medication safety vest) is blue text on a yellow background. The priority groups for education related to medication interruptions were patients or caregivers, nurses, and non-nursing staff, in that order.Conclusion: Effective implementation of tailored intervention strategies that consider the specific characteristics of medication interruptions is crucial for mitigating interruptions and enhancing patient safety. Comprehensive educational programs aimed at reducing medication interruptions by improving awareness are necessary. Moreover, future research should evaluate these strategies in clinical settings to ensure their effectiveness in enhancing patient safety.