Table 1

Observed occurrences of interruptions by (a) location, (b) medium, (c) task, depicted in (d) is an average RN day providing context

Location (a)	%	Medium (b)	%	Task interrupted (c)	%	RN context (d)	%
Nurses' station	55	Face to face	50	Documentation	44	Direct care	28
Patient room	20	Cellphone	19	Medication	19	Documentation	20
Hall	18	HCD	15	Direct care	17	Medication	17
Utility room	4	Alarm	8	Indirect care	7	Professional communication	14
Break room	2	Call light	4	Professional communication	7	Indirect care	11
Outside	1	Desk phone	2	Patient discharge	2	Patient discharge	3
Other	<1	Other	2	Other	4	Other	7