This study addressed the efficiency of a medication bar coding system and nurses’ perceptions of information technology as it relates to nursing practice in a large tertiary Magnet pediatric hospital utilizing the Neuman Systems Model as a conceptual framework. 

 A quasi-experimental pre- post test design was utilized to structure phase one of the study while phase two, which commenced six months following completion of the first phase employed focus groups and qualitative methodology. Phase I measured the paper process of delivering medications utilizing the five rights of medication delivery, and delivery & documentation of a medication after medication bar coding was instituted.  Phase II encompassed focus groups to discuss the impact of information technology on practice. A demographic questionnaire was administered to all of the participants in order to obtain information on age, sex, years in nursing, years in the institution, whether they own a computer, and perceived computer literacy.

 A paired T-Test analyzing the pre-time and post-time of medication bar coding showed a significant correlation (p = .000) between pre-and post-test times with a mean time difference of 1.2 seconds which was not statistically significant. This time difference is negligible when considering the safety benefits of bar coding technology. The major finding in Phase II indicated that information technology has had a positive influence on practice for the nurses in the focus group. The participants stated that information technology was crucial to their role and they could not imagine working without it.