Distrações e interrupções no preparo e na administração de medicamentos em unidades de internação hospitalar

Abstract

The objective was to identify distractions and interruptions during medication preparation and administration by the nursing staff in medical-surgical inpatient units. This is a quantitative, cross-sectional study in which the systematic observation technique was used for data collection. In total, were observed 342 preparations and 364 administrations of medication, with identification of 252 distractions that occurred mostly during drug preparation, related to parallel conversation, and the nursing staff was the largest source. Interruptions occurred in 111 moments, mostly during medication preparation, parallel conversation was the main cause and initiated by third parties (professionals of the nursing team and others, patients and caregivers). Such events interfere with patient safety and the quality of the work environment. It is important to address this topic in the curriculum of health professionals’ courses and in the strategic planning of health institutions.