ABSTRACT
Nurses represent the largest component of the healthcare workforce and their actions are directly related to patient outcomes. Despite the importance of critical nursing tasks, such as assessment and medication administration, nurses are required to operate in complex, and highly interruptive, work environments. In aviation, sterile cockpit methodology prohibits non-essential activities during critical phases of flight such as, takeoff and landing. These flight regimes are analogous to the task of medication administration in nursing practice. As part of a larger crew resource management program, three nursing units implemented sterile cockpit methodologies while completing specific safety sensitive tasks. Two units implemented this approach during medication administration, and another implemented the methodology during the collection of vital signs and blood glucose readings at the beginning of each shift. Results suggest a decrease in distractions and interruptions, medication errors, and amount of time needed to complete these tasks. Moreover, the sterile cockpit principle led to improvements in team communication and staff morale. The use of crew resource management techniques, including the application of aviation’s sterile cockpit rule, can have a significant impact on patient safety.
