This study was commissioned by senior nursing andmidwifery management to evaluate the impact of ‘medication management metrics’(Medication Storage and Custody and Medication Administration) upon thedelivery of nursing and midwifery care in the Health Service Executive (HSE)North West Area. The study employed a mixed-methodology using both quantitativeand qualitative approaches to data collection and analysis. Methodological andsource triangulation were incorporated to cross check and affirm thereliability and validity of the findings.Quantitative and qualitative data were gathered across two time points from 3locations (38 settings) across the HSE North West Area. The evaluationdesign incorporated three research strands. The first strand evaluated theperformance of each ward/unit usingstandardised ‘metrics’ criteria. The second strand evaluated the experiencesof both patients and staff within the context of local implementation. Strandthree examined the impact of the initiative upon the context within which careis delivered-the workplace setting. The studyfindings have important policy implications that should inform any futurecorporate approach towards system wide implementation of nursing/midwiferymetrics. Outcomes from this should promote improvements in care delivery andenhanced corporate understanding of the central role of nurses and midwives inthe delivery of safe, effective and person-centred care.
