What if the RN determines she/he cannot delegate an activity?
The decision to delegate is up to the RN and reasons for not delegating must be evaluated on an individual basis. For example, if an RN feels he/she can not delegate an activity because the staff person is not competent to carry out the task, he/she should not delegate and communicate the reasons to agency management to determine the appropriate course of action. Possible interventions may be addressing employee training or making staff available who may have or can learn the necessary skills. If the RN determines a task is not to be delegated to a non-licensed person, they should not delegate the task but complete the task themselves and communicate to agency management the reason. The provider and Regional Center may then need to meet to determine the appropriate course of action to sustain the person’s needs if it is more than the RN can support at 1.25 hours/month. All actions taken should be documented.
Related Questions
- Some day programs have chosen not to have a RN delegate medication administration in the program. How do we handle individuals who receive medications during the day or have other nursing needs?
- Can a RN delegate the administration of medicated ointments, lotions, and protective skin barriers to unlicensed personnel?
- May the RN, CM/DN delegate the 45 day nursing site visit and client assessment to the LPN?
