PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - Rebecca Jeanmonod AU - Molly Boyd AU - Melanie Loewenthal AU - Wayne Triner TI - The nature of emergency department interruptions and their impact on patient satisfaction AID - 10.1136/emj.2008.071134 DP - 2010 May 01 TA - Emergency Medicine Journal PG - 376--379 VI - 27 IP - 5 4099 - http://emj.bmj.com/content/27/5/376.short 4100 - http://emj.bmj.com/content/27/5/376.full SO - Emerg Med J2010 May 01; 27 AB - Objective To explore the nature of interruptions that occur during clinical practice in the emergency department (ED). We determined the frequency, duration and type of interruptions that occurred. We then determined the impact on patient satisfaction of those interruptions occurring at the bedside.Methods This was a cohort study of ED physicians and physicians in training. Trained research associates were assigned to an individual provider during 4-hour blocks of time during day and evening shifts. The research associates recorded the activity that was interrupted, as well as the nature and the duration of the interruption. If the interruption occurred during the principal interaction with a patient, the patient's satisfaction score was recorded on a 10-point scale.Results Physicians were commonly interrupted in all clinical activities, but most frequently during reviewing of data (53%) and charting (50%). Bedside interruptions occurred 26% of the time, and had a negative impact on patient satisfaction. The majority of interruptions (60%) were initiated by another healthcare provider (physician or nurse). Interruptions only rarely resulted in a physician changing tasks before completion.Conclusion Interruptions occur commonly during all clinical activities in the ED, and are frequently generated by providers themselves. These have a negative impact on patient satisfaction. The direct impact on medical errors or on provider satisfaction has not been determined.