Editorial: Interruptions and medication: Is 'Do not disturb' the answer?

Abstract

Medication related incidents and errors continue to be a significant patient safety issue in health care settings internationally and despite decades of research and quality improvement initiatives, we have failed to identify innovative and sustainable solutions. The importance and significance of this problem not only challenges us, but emphasises the need to develop and implement sustainable interventions that are realistic and appropriate for the clinical setting. Nurses are not only the largest group of health professionals who administer medications, but are also considered to be in the best position to recognise and prevent medication errors before patient safety is compromised (Flynn, Liang, Dickson, Xie, & Suh, 2012). Hence the need to adequately prepare student nurses by providing appropriate learning opportunities.