NMBI Guidance for Registered Nurses and Midwives on Medication Administration (2020)

Under Section 2.9 of the Nurses and Midwives Act 2011, NMBI has developed guidance on medication administration to:

• affirm the conduct expected from the nurse or midwife on the administration of medication using the principles of the Code​
• support, guide and signpost the nurse or midwife on their role, responsibility and accountability in relation to the administration of medication to patients across care settings
• assist the nurse or midwife in determining their scope of practice in relation to medication administration
• outline the relevant legislation and professional guidance to support the nurse or midwife in medication administration 
• outline the healthcare providers’ responsibility to ensure relevant policies, procedures, protocols and guidelines (PPPGs) are in place to support and guide the nurse or midwife in practice.

The practice standards used for medication administration are based on the five principles of the Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics for Registered Nurses and Registered Midwives (NMBI 2021). The practice standards are intended to:

• Be used in conjunction with the relevant legislation, Health and Information Quality Authority (HIQA) guidance, standards and audits on medicines management and health care provider’s policies, procedures, protocols and guidelines (PPPGs).

Medication administration is one component of medication management.

Medicines management covers a number of tasks including prescribing, ordering, dispensing, receiving/transporting, storing, assessing, preparing, assisting, administering, disposing and reviewing individuals with their medicines (HIQA 2015). It also includes medicines reconciliation. In 2007, NMBI produced Guidance to Nurses and Midwives on Medication Management aspects of which some nurses and midwives may still find useful.

The guidance outlines:

• General Principles and Responsibilities
• ​​The Cycle of Medication Management
• Safety in Medication Management
• Medication Protocols.