Interruptions and Medication Administration Errors

Efforts to improve patient safety and reduce medical errors are receiving renewed attention. In this observational study, conducted at two Australian teaching hospitals, researchers assessed the association between interruptions during medication administration and medication administration errors. Ninety-eight nurses were observed directly as they prepared and administered medications; the nurses were aware of the study aim.

Interruptions occurred during 53% of more than 4000 observed drug administrations for 720 patients. At least one procedural error (e.g., failure to check patient's identification, record medication administration, use aseptic technique) occurred in 74%, and at least one clinical error (e.g., wrong drug, dose, route) occ…