Background: Interruptions can increase risks for errors. The Stay SAFE interruption management strategy aims to mitigate errors.
Purpose: The purposes of this study were to: (1) determine nursing students' interruption management behaviors before and at multiple assessments after learning Stay SAFE and (2) explore students' perceptions of Stay SAFE.
Methods: Four study sites were included. Data were collected over 10 months via direct observation, self-report, and semi-structured interviews. Prelicensure nursing students independently completed 8 simulated scenarios with embedded interruptions. Interruptions occurred during medication administration and handoff.
Results: Sixty students participated. A majority (93-100%) used Stay SAFE in the posttests. Three qualitative themes emerged: (1) Preparedness for interruptions, (2) Stay SAFE can lessen risks for errors, and (3) Stay SAFE has applicability in various contexts.
Conclusions: Use of Stay SAFE may reduce errors and contribute to patient safety. Continued research on Stay SAFE is warranted.
Keywords: medication errors; nursing education; patient handoff; simulation training; workflow.
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