Factors Influencing the Interruption of Nursing Document Writing in the Intensive Care Unit: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Abstract

Objective

To explore the current status of interruption events in nursing document writing in the intensive care unit (ICU) using a cross-sectional survey.

Methods

Between May and October 2021, the convenience sampling method was used to observe the interruption events in nursing document writing in the ICU. A total of 54 nurses and 7 indicators were observed: the start time, end time, interruption period, source, type, duration and outcome of interruption events.

Results

A total of 438 interruption events in nursing document writing occurred in 85.955 hours, with a frequency of 5.093 times/hour and a duration of 4787.00 (1152.00, 13,109.00) seconds. The frequency of interruption events in nursing document writing was the highest (11 times/hour) and the duration was the longest (9581.50 seconds) from 08:00 to 12:00. The main sources of interruptions for nurses with 10 or more years of service or with the professional title of nurse are nurses themselves and their colleagues. The main sources of interruptions for nurses who have been in charge for 10 years or over are the working environment and doctors. This intervention in work continuity occurs unexpectedly; however, if adjustments are made to nursing procedures, the interruption can be terminated rapidly or adverse consequences can be avoided. Years of working experience, seniority level, interruption time periods and professional titles were independent factors influencing the number of interruption events, and they were all positively correlated. The results of this study show that there were statistically significant differences in the incidence of negative outcomes among ICU nurses with varying years of working experience and professional titles.

Conclusion

Interruptions in nursing document writing have high frequency, complex sources and multiple types. For senior nurses, the outcome was predominantly positive, while for junior nurses, it was predominantly negative.

Keywords:

• ICU
• nurses
• nursing documents
• interruption events

Data Sharing Statement

All data generated or analyzed during this study are included in this published article.

Ethics Approval and Consent to Participate

This study was conducted in accordance with the declaration of Helsinki. This study was conducted with approval from the Ethics Committee of Heze Municipal Hospital (No.: 2021-KY021). Written informed consent was obtained from all participants.

Consent for Publication

The manuscript is not submitted for publication or consideration elsewhere.

Author Contributions

All authors made a significant contribution to the work reported, whether that is in the conception, study design, execution, acquisition of data, analysis and interpretation, or in all these areas; took part in drafting, revising or critically reviewing the article; gave final approval of the version to be published; have agreed on the journal to which the article has been submitted; and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Disclosure

The authors declare that they have no competing interests in this work.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by 2021 Heze Municipal Hospital Science and Technology Development Plan Project [grant no.:2021YN08] and funded by Shanxi Province “136 Revitalization Medical Project Construction Funds”.