Implementation of a No Interruption Zone to Decrease CRNA Distractions

UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)

Stacey L. Schlesinger (Creator)

Institution

The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )

Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/

Advisor

Angela Kabbe

Abstract: Background: Vigilance and patient safety are core values in anesthesia practice, particularly during medication preparation, anesthesia machine safety checks, and airway equipment setup. Distractions occur frequently in the clinical setting and are associated with errors, procedural failures, and impaired team communication. Methods to mitigate distractions have demonstrated mixed results.Methods: A quality improvement project using a quasi-experimental design was conducted in the anesthesia setting of a small community hospital to evaluate the effectiveness of a No Interruption Zone (NIZ). Observed distractions were categorized by timing in relation to CRNA activity, distraction source, and CRNA response. Results: Thirty pre-NIZ implementation and 31 post-NIZ implementation case observations were conducted. Overall distractions and distractions from staff movement in and out of the room increased following NIZ implementation. Distractions from coworkers initiating conversations, however, decreased. The CRNA was also less likely to halt case preparation to address a distraction following NIZ implementation. Discussion: The results of this quality improvement project provide information on nurse anesthetist distractions in the clinical setting. NIZ implementation did not decrease overall distractions. Certain distraction types and their impact on the CRNA, however, may benefit from NIZ implementation. Additional PDSA cycles would provide a better understanding of how to best apply the NIZ concept in this setting.

Implementation of a No Interruption Zone to Decrease CRNA Distractions
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Created on 2/14/2023
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Additional Information

Publication

Dissertation

Language: English

Date: 2022

Keywords

No Interruption Zone, distractions, NIZ

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