Interruptions and Multitasking in Nursing Care

摘要: Article-at-a-Glance Background The environment surrounding registered nurses (RNs) has been described as fast-paced and unpredictable, nurses' cognitive load exceptionally heavy. Studies of interruptions multitasking in health care are limited, most have focused on physicians. extent type nurses, well patient errors, were studied using a natural-setting observational field design. study was conducted seven units two Midwestern hospitals—an academic medical center community-based teaching hospital. Methods A total 35 observed for four-hour periods time by experienced clinical who underwent training until they reached an interrater reliability 0.90. Findings In the 36 RN observations (total, 136hours) 3,441 events captured. There 1,354 interruptions, 46hours multitasking, 200 errors. Nurses interrupted 10 times per hour, or 1 interruption 6minutes. However, RNs one hospitals had significantly more interruptions—1 every 4 1/2minutes Hospital (versus 13.3minutes 2). to be 34% (range, 23%–41%). Overall, error rate 1.5 hour (1.02 1.89 Although there no significant relationship between results this show that work is complex prone. Discussion both all high level discontinuity execution their work. manage well, potential errors present, strategies decrease needed.