Presentation
Understanding the Influence of ICU Design Features on Medication-Related Interruptions: A Qualitative Study of Nurses' Perceptions
DescriptionInterruptions during critical nursing tasks threaten patient safety, especially during medication processes. While interventions target harmful interruptions, the physical environment remains understudied. This study examines how built environmental features affect interruptions through nurses' perceptions. A qualitative study with semi-structured interviews involved 19 nurses across three ICU units. The 10-question protocol explored interruption characteristics, mitigation strategies and effect of design features. Analysis followed an inductive thematic approach incorporating framework analysis. Cross-unit comparisons were conducted through thematic matrices to analyze patterns across the three units. Findings identify built environmental features affecting interruptions including medication room numbers (42.1%), design (36.8%), and location (36.8%) as influential factors. Multiple medication rooms reduced waiting interruptions but increased walking-related ones. Enclosed areas had fewer distractions than open ones, while greater distances to patient rooms (36.8%) and high-visibility areas (36.8%) increased interruption exposure. Most problematic interruption locations were medication rooms (73.7%), patient rooms (52.6%), and high-traffic areas (26.3%). Findings reveal nurses believe design features impact medication process interruptions, particularly medication room configuration, distances, visibility, and traffic patterns. This highlights the built environment's role in interruption exposure. Evidence-based strategies like medication room placement, reduced preparation area visibility, and optimized travel paths can minimize unnecessary interruptions while supporting essential communication.
Event Type
Industry/Practitioner Content
Lecture
TimeThursday, October 16th12:10pm - 12:30pm CDT
LocationGrand Hall M/N
Environmental Design
Health Care