JNSS 2023, 14(3-4):93-98 | DOI: 10.32725/jnss.2023.009

Reasons and context for disrupting nurses during the administration of medicines

Hana Hajduchová1, *, Martin Červený1, Iva Brabcová1, Ivana Chloubová1, Valérie Tóthová1, Radka Prokešová2, Josef Malý3, Martin Doseděl3, Ondřej Tesař3, Jiří Vlček3
1 University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, Institute of Nursing, Midwifery and Emergency Care, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
2 University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, Institute of Humanities in Helping Professions, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
3 Charles University, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, Department of Social and Clinical Pharmacy, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic

Introduction: Administering medication is one of the riskiest operations in healthcare. This research aims to map the reasons and context for disrupting nurses while administering medicines in selected inpatient wards of 4 hospitals in South Bohemia.

Methods: We used the method of directly observing general and practical nurses while administering drugs - in selected internal and surgical wards and long-term care and rehabilitation wards. The data was collected in 2021, 2022, and 2023.

Results: 18,370 inpatient medicine administrations were observed during the morning, midday, and evening administrations. 58 nurses from 4 hospitals, with an average age of 37.4, participated in the research. We recorded 791 interruptions. The most common reasons were patient questions and work communication, but we also recorded interruptions unrelated to nursing care.

Conclusion: Due to the lack of strategies, we recommend introducing preventive measures and educational interventions in the monitored hospitals to reduce disruption while nurses are administering medicinal products, and thus improve the quality and safety of the nursing care provided.

Keywords: Disruption during medication administration; Drug administration; Hospital; Nursing care; Risk factors

Published: November 1, 2024  Show citation

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Hajduchová H, Červený M, Brabcová I, Chloubová I, Tóthová V, Prokešová R, et al.. Reasons and context for disrupting nurses during the administration of medicines. Journal of Nursing, Social Studies, Public Health and Rehabilitation. 2023;14(3-4):93-98. doi: 10.32725/jnss.2023.009.
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