The relationship between smartphone-related distraction and medical error tendency among surgical nurses: a cross-sectional study
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: BACKGROUND: In clinical settings, interruptions caused by smartphones disrupt nurses’ workflow and elevate the risk to patient safety. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between the levels of smartphone-related distraction and medical error tendencies among surgical nurses. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 319 surgical nurses and was conducted between April 22 and August 22, 2024, in two major healthcare institutions in Afyonkarahisar Province, Turkiye. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews. The Personal Information Form, Smartphone Distraction Scale, and Malpractice Trend Scale were used to collect the data, which were analyzed using independent t-tests, two-way analysis of variance, and Pearson correlations using SPSS22.0 software. Structural Equation Modeling using the Maximum Likelihood method and Bootstrap estimation was used. RESULTS: The nurses’ levels of smartphone-related distraction were moderate, while their tendency toward medical errors was low. Some demographic factors, such as marital and educational status, were associated with smartphone-related distraction scores. A weak but statistically significant negative relationship was found between smartphone distraction and medical error tendency. CONCLUSION: This study found that surgical nurses had moderate levels of smartphone-related distraction and low levels of medical error tendency. However, a statistically significant negative relationship was identified between distraction and malpractice tendency scores, indicating that higher levels of distraction were associated with an increased likelihood of medical errors. Nevertheless, given the cross-sectional design, self-reported nature of the data, and the fact that the study was conducted in two institutions within a single country, these associations should be interpreted with caution. The findings underscore the importance of enhancing awareness to maintain nurses’ attentional focus and developing institutional policies that regulate smartphone use in clinical settings to promote patient safety. CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER: Not applicable.
Source: BMC Nursing
Authors: Yeliz Ciğerci, Esra Pınarkaya Özpınar
Institution: Afyonkarahisar Sağlık Bilimleri Üniversitesi
Language: English
Subfield: Emergency Medical Services
Field: Health Professions
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,090
OpenAlex ID: W7124169049