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Observational Study
. 2020 Mar 4:2019:707-716.
eCollection 2019.

Technology Implementation and Associated Pharmacy Interruptions

Kalyan S Pasupathy  1   2 , Mayo Clinic  1   2 , Linsey M Steege  1   2 , Chris C Cho  1   2
Affiliations
Observational Study

Technology Implementation and Associated Pharmacy Interruptions

Kalyan S Pasupathy et al. AMIA Annu Symp Proc. .

Abstract

This study focuses on interruptions in an inpatient pharmacy setting and the impact of CPOE implementation on the types, frequency, and duration of interruptions. A cross-sectional observation study of pharmacy employees in an inpatient pharmacy was conducted. The independent variables included day of week, time of day, job position of the person interrupted, and description of each interruption. A total of 552 interruptions were observed with a mean frequency of 10.6 interruptions per hour lasting a mean (SD) duration of 1.34 (1.43) minutes. Incoming calls were the most frequent interruption type across all phases. Pharmacy employees spend almost a quarter of their time on interruptions, and pharmacists have longer interruptions than technicians. Immediately after CPOE implementation, durations tend to be one-and-a-half times longer than before. CPOE implementation did not affect the frequency of interruptions. Recommendations included redesign of work processes and job responsibilities.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Trend in interruption duration of stress type by time of day (Incoming and Outgoing stressors refer to respective phone calls as stressors)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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