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.

This publication is intended to inform Affinity Insurance Services, Inc., customers of potential liability in their practice. This information is provided for general informational purposes only and is not intended to provide individualized guidance. All descriptions, summaries or highlights of coverage are for general informational purposes only and do not amend, alter or modify the actual terms or conditions of any insurance policy. Coverage is governed only by the terms and conditions of the relevant policy. Any references to non-Aon, AIS, NSO, HPSO websites are provided solely for convenience, and Aon, AIS, NSO and HPSO disclaims any responsibility with respect to such websites. This information is not intended to offer legal advice or to establish appropriate or acceptable standards of professional conduct. Readers should consult with a lawyer if they have specific concerns. Neither Affinity Insurance Services, Inc., NSO, nor CNA assumes any liability for how this information is applied in practice or for the accuracy of this information.

Nurses Service Organization is a registered trade name of Affinity Insurance Services, Inc., a licensed producer in all states (TX 13695); (AR 100106022); in CA, MN, AIS Affinity Insurance Agency, Inc. (CA 0795465); in OK, AIS Affinity Insurance Services, Inc.; in CA, Aon Affinity Insurance Services, Inc., (CA 0G94493), Aon Direct Insurance Administrators and Berkely Insurance Agency and in NY, AIS Affinity Insurance Agency.

Topics:

#Business Practice #Delegation #Scope of Practice #Staffing

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