Effectiveness of Interventions for Reducing Interruptions During Medication Administration: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND: Medication errors, particularly during administration, are a major threat to patient safety, with interruptions being a key contributor. Nurses are the most affected by these disruptions, and various interventions have been proposed to reduce interruptions. AIMS: This review evaluates the effectiveness of preventive and responsive interventions aimed at reducing interruptions during medication administration. METHODS: A systematic search of multiple databases identified 14 eligible studies on interventions targeting nurse interruptions. The review includes randomized controlled trials and quasi-experimental studies, focusing on interruption and medication error rates. Significant heterogeneity prevented meta-analysis. RESULTS: Preventive strategies, like no-interruption vests and awareness campaigns, may reduce interruptions from external sources, but nurse-to-nurse interruptions remained common. Responsive strategies showed limited success in reducing interruptions but improved nurses' ability to manage them. The impact on medication errors was inconclusive. LINKING EVIDENCE TO ACTION: Preventive strategies help reduce interruptions, but more targeted interventions are needed for nurse-to-nurse disruptions. A combined approach of preventive and responsive strategies can enhance medication safety.