No abstract

The objective of this study was to describe a panel process of selecting interventions to reduce unnecessary interruptions in clinical nursing. Interruptions in nursing may jeopardise patient safety, disorganise planning, and lead to ineffective working procedures. The Delphi panel process may be useful to create consensus on interventions to reduce interruptions. Using the Delphi method, a structured group-based decision-making tool, a panel of 14 nurses agreed on interventions to reduce interruptions. The results showed that a consensus on reducing interruptions was reached in four focus areas: expectations, physical framework, work procedures, and medication room procedures. The panel process was chosen as a means to involve nursing staff to create consensus and ownership about interventions. Our conclusions are that the Delphi panel process was a feasible method of selecting multi-factorial interventions to reduce interruptions. The panel process contributed to dialogue, staff involvement, and competency development. Further prospective studies are needed to explore whether these multi-factorial interventions can reduce unnecessary interruptions and improve patient safety.