Effectiveness of Interventions for Reducing Interruptions During Medication Administration: A Systematic Review

Background Medication errors, particularly during administration, are a major threat to patient safety, with interruptions being a key contributor. Nurses are the most affected by these disruptions, and various interventions have been proposed to reduce interruptions. Aims This review evaluates the effectiveness of preventive and responsive interventions aimed at reducing interruptions during medication administration. Methods A systematic search of multiple databases identified 14 eligible studies on interventions targeting nurse interruptions. The review includes randomized controlled trials and quasi‐experimental studies, focusing on interruption and medication error rates. Significant heterogeneity prevented meta‐analysis. Results Preventive strategies, like no‐interruption vests and awareness campaigns, may reduce interruptions from external sources, but nurse‐to‐nurse interruptions remained common. Responsive strategies showed limited success in reducing interruptions but improved nurses' ability to manage them. The impact on medication errors was inconclusive. Linking Evidence to Action Preventive strategies help reduce interruptions, but more targeted interventions are needed for nurse‐to‐nurse disruptions. A combined approach of preventive and responsive strategies can enhance medication safety.