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Frequency and Associated Factors of Interruptions During the Medication Administration Process Among Nurses in South Korea: A Cross‐Sectional Study

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: AIM (S): To investigate the frequency and associated factors of interruptions initiated by human and environmental sources during the medication administration process among nurses in South Korea. DESIGN: A cross-sectional descriptive study. METHODS: Data were collected from January to March 2022 through an online survey administered to nurses working in tertiary hospitals in South Korea. The survey assessed interruptions during the medication administration process, nursing work environments and organisational culture. Descriptive statistics and regression analysis were used to identify factors associated with interruptions. RESULTS: Human-initiated interruptions were more frequent than those initiated by environmental sources. Human-initiated interruptions increased with a higher patient load and a relation-oriented organisational culture but decreased with adequate staffing and resources, as well as an innovation-oriented culture. Environment-initiated interruptions were more frequent in settings with a task-oriented culture and less frequent among female nurses. CONCLUSION: The findings highlight the importance of understanding the distinct characteristics of interruptions and developing targeted strategies based on their sources and contributing factors. Creating supportive environments and fostering an organisational culture that actively prevents unnecessary interruptions are essential for enhancing medication safety and workflow efficiency. IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PROFESSION AND/OR PATIENT CARE: To apply these findings in clinical practice, it is necessary to allocate staffing resources appropriately to reduce interruptions. Providing education on the importance of maintaining uninterrupted medication administration processes is essential to reduce human-initiated interruptions. IMPACT: This study provides practical evidence that organisational culture and staffing are associated with interruptions in clinical nursing practice. Nurse managers should apply these findings by promoting staffing adequacy and fostering a collaborative, innovative environment that encourages continuous improvement and openness to change. Tailored strategies that reflect the specific characteristics of different types of interruptions can help reduce their occurrence and improve medication safety. REPORTING METHOD: STROBE checklist. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: No patient or public contribution.

Source: Journal of Advanced Nursing

DOI: 10.1111/jan.70321