Many hospitalists report daily interruptions as one of the largest areas of frustrations, according to the report. Interruptions force people to quickly switch between tasks, which leads to a higher chance of errors since switching tasks requires brain processes that are not instantaneous.
Sign up for our FREE E-Weekly for more coverage like this sent to your inbox!
Consequently, patient care may be compromised when hospitalists are subject to “task-switching,” according to the report.
Although Dr. Whitcomb says implementing “no interruption zones” may not be feasible in the fast-paced hospital setting, he suggests five practices that could decrease the amount of interruptions.
• Unit-based staffing to centralize patients
• Multidisciplinary rounding
• Have nurses send pages in batches
• Structure nighttime rounds for non-urgent matters
• Create urgency levels of paging so a physician knows whether an immediate response is necessary or not.
More Articles on Patient Safety:
Off-Label Drug Use Poses Safety Risks
Report: 3% of Medication Reconciliation Error Patients Harmed
Study: Engaging Patients May Not Have Safety Benefits
Becker’s 3rd Annual Fall Chief Pharmacy Officer Summit is the top tier event that the people leading the future of pharmacy convene. This 3-day event is built specifically for Chief Pharmacy Officers and senior pharmacy leaders. The sessions examine the workforce, financial and clinical priorities shaping pharmacy today. Becker’s is where candid discussions flourish and new ideas thrive. Becker's 3rd Annual Fall Chief Pharmacy Officer Summit
