Scope of Practice Changes: 10 Keys to Safer Delegation

Identify and address risks associated with scope of practice and delegation standards.



As staffing challenges intensify, clinical managers are considering new approaches to maximize efficiency and address staffing deficits, while ensuring that healthcare providers and non-licensed assistive personnel work within their competency and legally authorized practice parameters.
 
This edition of Vantage Point® provides a decision-making framework, organized around 10 questions, to help administrators, healthcare providers or practice leaders identify and address risks associated with scope of practice and delegation standards, focusing on the following critical issues:
 

  • Increasing leadership and provider awareness of scope of practice-related legal parameters.
  • Ensuring that tasks are properly delegated by staff members within their statutory authority to do so.
  • Confirming that staff have the education, training and competence to safely perform the delegated task.
  • Strengthening the approval process for expanding scope of practice and delegation tasks.
  • Determining whether patients/residents are appropriate candidates to receive the approved care.
  • Enhancing compliance with monitoring and supervisory requirements.
  • Maintaining ongoing communication between delegating providers and assigned delegees.
No matter how small or specialized your healthcare organization, you should be aware of your risk profile and take appropriate measures to protect against clinical, operational and financial exposures. NSO’s underwriter CNA has created Vantage Point®, a publication designed to help.
Topics:

#Business Practice #Delegation #Scope of Practice #Staffing

Share this article:

   

NSO Learning Center

More insights from some of the best minds in nursing.



A Guide to Your Nurse Practice Act

This is sponsored content provided by Nurses Service Organization (NSO). Through AORN’s partnership with NSO, AORN members can save 10% on nurses’ malpractice insurance for three consecutive years with NSO’s Risk Management Discount. Receive a quick quote today.

A Guide to Your Nurse Practice Act

Nursing professionals have a wide range of valuable resources to help them in their jobs, such as organizational policies and procedures and databases of clinical practice guidelines. Many nursing professionals use these on a regular basis to help them deliver quality care. But they tend to overlook one essential practice resource — the nurse practice act (NPA). As the name implies, a state’s or jurisdiction’s NPA provides guidance for practice; adhering to the provisions of the act makes the nurse less vulnerable to legal action. Here’s what you need to know about NPAs.

Essential tips for mentoring new nurses

This is sponsored content provided by Nurses Service Organization (NSO). Through AORN’s partnership with NSO, AORN members can save 10% on nurses’ malpractice insurance for three consecutive years with NSO’s Risk Management Discount. Receive a quick quote today.

Essential tips for mentoring new nurses

Nursing shortages are persistent, and because of turnover, many in the current workforce are less familiar with the organizations they work for and less experienced in nursing. Travel nurses are a mainstay in many areas of the country, and nurses who are newer in the field are often being called on to serve as mentors early in their careers. Mentorship is a key part of helping new nurses to be successful in their current jobs and in their careers. It also helps with retention, which benefits all nurses working in an organization.