This article describes the development of a programme to collect qualitative data on components of nursing care behaviour to supplement quantitative methods. Using hand-held computer technology, data were collected in forensic and mainstream psychiatric care settings. The study was able to show positive improvements in direct care to patients and health outcomes as well as provide the qualifying data necessary to initiate and implement change on management, administrative and nursing care levels. The author recommends that such data be fed into quality initiatives to allow effective and efficient use to be made of increasingly scarce nursing resources.