Date of Graduation
12-11-2020
Document Access
Project/Capstone - Global access
Degree Name
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
College/School
School of Nursing and Health Professions
First Advisor
Cathy Coleman, DNP, RN, MSN, CNL, CPHQ
Second Advisor
David Ainsworth, MSN, RN, CNL
Abstract
Background: Interruptions occur in high frequency in the critical care hospital setting.
The purpose of this study is to understand the impact of work interruption for the critical care nurse and to examine ways to mitigate predominant, non-urgent interruptions.
Methods: The nurse interrupted project followed the Lean methodology framework to identify which high-frequency interrupters to address. Baseline assessment of the intensive care unit (ICU) nurses identified alarms and patient family member calls as predominant causes of interruption. A literature review was conducted to understand work interruption for nurses and to identify available solutions.
Intervention: To address the volume of incoming calls, daily out-bound calls were made by nurses to update family members and expectations were set for the next update. Daily electrode lead changes were completed to reduce clinically non-relevant alarms. Improvement huddles were completed daily by unit ICU nurses identified as stakeholders in this project.
Results: During a 4-week implementation period, 20-day shifts were monitored and found a 12.03% reduction of in-bound calls from family members. Data points showed a trend indicating the test of change was effective. Daily electrode lead change had a 62.2% reduction in leads off alarms (894 events to 338). However, cannot analyze alarm events increased four weeks post-intervention, followed by 21.9% reduction at eight weeks post-intervention.
Conclusions: Nurse leaders should implement workflow conducive to limiting non-urgent interruptions and educate nurses on how to mitigate interruptions that may cause patient harm or impair care experience.
Keywords: nurse interruption, patient satisfaction, work interruption, patient safety, nursing workflow
Recommended Citation
Shiferaw, Lelayitu, "Nurse Interrupted: Educating Nurses to Reduce Work Interruptions in the Intensive Care Unit" (2020). Master's Projects and Capstones. 1096.
https://repository.usfca.edu/capstone/1096
