F21 - Interruption Management Strategies for Nursing Students: Is simulation the key?

Abstract :

Introduction: Interruptions to nurses are pervasive, and dependent on how the interruption is handled, can lead to errors. Interruption management strategies (intentional behaviors to handle interruptions) may decrease errors. Nursing curricula seldom includes interruption management. In this study, simulation-based education was used to teach students the Stay SAFE interruption management strategy.

Theoretical Framework: Stay SAFE is based on the memory for goals model which posits that forming associative cues (retrieval cues) when interrupted can decrease errors. Stay SAFE is an acronym for: Stay where you are, S: Stay focused on your current task, A: Associate cues, F: Find a natural break, E: Evaluate the urgency of the interruption.

Description of the Project: Data were collected January-October 2024. Volunteer students completed seven pre/posttest simulations across five study visits. Students were taught Stay SAFE after simulation 1. A simulated participant interrupted the student during medication administration in simulations 1-4 and during handoff in simulations 5-7. Direct observation and audio-recorded debriefings were used for data collection.

Target Population: A convenience sample of over fifty prelicensure nursing students from four nursing schools in the United States participated.

Results: In simulation 1, all students engaged or multitasked during the interruption. In simulations 2-7, 93-100% used Stay SAFE. Students described Stay SAFE as easy to use, felt that Stay SAFE could lessen errors, and discussed using Stay SAFE in hospital settings. Findings were similar across study sites.

Discussion: Educators are encouraged to integrate interruption management strategies into simulation curricula, as their use may improve patient safety.

Please include a short summary of your presentation that highlights why an attendee would want to participate in your session.: Attendees will learn how to teach nursing students the Stay SAFE interruption management strategy and apply its use to simulated medication administration and nurse-to-nurse handoff.