Reported implementation lessons from a national quality improvement initiative; Productive Ward: Releasing Time to Care. A qualitative, ward-based team perspective

AimTo explore the experiences of participants involved in the implementation of the Productive Ward: Releasing Time to Care initiative in Ireland, identifying key implementation lessons. BackgroundA large-scale quality improvement programme Productive Ward: Releasing Time to Care was introduced nationwide into Ireland in 2011. We captured accounts from ward-based teams in an implementation phase during 2013-14 to explore their experiences. MethodsSemi-structured, in-depth interviews with a purposive sample of 24 members of ward-based teams from nine sites involved in the second national phase of the initiative were conducted. Interviews were analysed and coded under themes, using a seven-stage iterative process. ResultsThe predominant theme identified was associated with the implementation and management of the initiative and included: project management; training; preparation; information and communication; and participant's negative experiences. The most prominent challenge reported related to other competing clinical priorities. ConclusionsDespite the structured approach of Productive Ward: Releasing Time to Care, it appears that overstretched and busy clinical environments struggle to provide the right climate and context for ward-based teams to engage and interact actively with quality improvement tools, methods and activities. Implications for nursing managementFindings highlight five key aspects of implementation and management that will help facilitate successful adoption of large-scale, ward-based quality improvement programmes such as Productive Ward: Releasing Time to Care. Utilising pre-existing implementation or quality frameworks to assess each ward/unit for readiness' prior to commencing a quality improvement intervention such as Productive Ward: Releasing Time to Care should be considered.