Applying the Delphi method to generate interventions to reduce unnecessary interruptions in clinical nursing

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.

Coping with interruptions in clinical nursing—A qualitative study

“…The overall purpose was to reduce the number of interruptions in clinical nursing by describing interruptions as a phenomenon, and how nurses coped with interruptions. This consisted of four phases: (i) baseline observation and qualitative interviews (Sorensen & Brahe, ), (ii) intervention development (Laustsen & Brahe, ), (iii) implementation of interventions and (iv) observation and qualitative interviews. This study reports new knowledge about how nurses cope with interruptions based on complementary analyses of observations and interviews in the different phases.…”

“…This study reports new knowledge about how nurses cope with interruptions based on complementary analyses of observations and interviews in the different phases. Implemented interventions were related to: Expectations (“Time out” to legitimise the right to put one's foot down when a nurse did not wish to be interrupted, and multidisciplinary dialogue meetings), physical framework (office guide, nursing coordinator to act as a filter), work procedures (present lamps, “nurse finder,” structure of patient boards, closed doors) and medication procedures (a quit and safe place, wearing of “please do not disturb vests”) (Laustsen & Brahe, ).…”

Development of a comprehensive flourishing intervention to promote mental health using an e-Delphi technique

“…In this phase, another group of experts (different from Phase 3) were invited to assess the intervention through an e-Delphi technique. This type of systematic methodology allows receiving opinions and comments from a panel of selected experts (21,22). Thus, the opinion of experts on the subject can help point out possible topics of the intervention that need improvement or are inadequate.…”

Interrupções no trabalho do enfermeiro e na segurança do paciente

“…It is recommended to carry out studies to understand the effects of interruptions on the work of health professionals. [4][5] In this context, the Nursing team stands out due to the number of professionals and the continuous care of the patient, becoming an essential professional group to promote safe and quality care. The nurse is considered as a reference, being the link between the various professionals and, frequently, the member of the multidisciplinary team more activated and more interrupted during the execution of their activities.…”

“…4 A challenge for nurses was to live with the dilemma of being accessible to the staff, the patient and the family, and to remain focused on their activity, which causes a constant rearrangement of priorities, with implications for the continuity of care activities. 5 For this study, the interruption was adopted as the suspension of the primary activity so that a secondary, unplanned activity could be performed. It is emphasized that, at the end of this interruption, the professional can return to the initial activity or close it.…”