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2010 - 2012 DaVita Inc. All rights reserved Rev. August 2012
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Continuing Education (CE)
Nephrology Nursing: Scope of Practice Delegation Policy &
Procedures
Objectives Define and explain the difference between independent
nursing functions and delegated
medical functions
Recall how to identify tasks that are not in your states nursing
scope of practice Explain the Standard of Care for nephrology
nursing Recall delegation pathways and which tasks can be delegated
by the nurse
Outline the four steps in nursing delegation
Recall how to identify tasks that cannot be delegated
Recall six strategies to achieve delegation success
Explain the difference between policies and procedures
State who sets the Standard of Care within DaVita and by what
means Define the term negligence as it is applied to nursing
practice Explain the importance of accurate and complete
documentation
Introduction Nephrology nursing requires a broad scope of
knowledge to provide quality care for renal patients and their
multitude of special needs. Nephrology nurses are also charged with
supervising nursing assistive personnel (NAP)
such as patient care and reuse technicians and delegating
appropriate tasks
to these teammates. To assist nurses with these various duties,
nursing practice is guided by individual State Board of Nursings
(BON) Scope of Practice and Delegation Rules as well as DaVitas
Policies and Procedures. This Continuing Education offering
discusses how nurses decide whether a
task is within their scope of practice, what the rules are for
supervision and
delegation of tasks, and why adherence to P&P is of utmost
importance.
Scope of In general, the nursing scope of practice includes two
tasks: independent Practice nursing functions and delegated medical
functions. Independent nursing
functions are tasks or practices that are within the field of
nursing and the nurse has the knowledge, judgment and skill to
perform the task. These
functions do not require physician oversight. Delegated medical
functions that require some degree of physician oversight include
implementation of
a medical plan such as verbal, written or standing orders, and
protocols.
BONs and the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN)
have developed Decision Trees to help nurses decide whether a
specific
task is within the states nursing scope of practice. Following
is such a generic decision tree.
Authors/Contributors Silvia German, RN, CNN, Education Manager
Susan Juarez, MS, ARNP, CNN, Vice
President Clinical Education Greg Trulove, Assistant General
Counsel,
Risk & Litigation
This free Continuing Education (CE) offering is provided by the
DaVita University, School of Clinical Education.
To receive a CE certificate for 1.0 contact hours, complete the
online post test (instructions given on final page of CE).
Thank you for your interest in learning!
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2010 - 2012 DaVita Inc. All rights reserved Rev. August 2012
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Continuing Education (CE)
Is This Task Within
My States Nursing Scope Of Practice?
Was The Skill/Task Taught In
Your Basic Nursing Program?
Have You Completed A Comprehensive Training
Program, Including Clinical Experience?
Has This Task Become Routine In Nursing
Literature And In Nursing Practice?
Yes
No
Task Is Not In Your Scope Of Practice
No Does Carrying Out The Skill Pass The Reasonable And Prudent
Standard of
Care For Nursing?
Yes
Yes
Is The Skill/Task Listed In Your Hiring Agency Policy
And Procedure Manual?
Yes
Task/Skill Is Within Your Scope Of Practice
No
Task Not Appropriate In This Setting
No
Yes
No
Task Is Not In Your Scope Of Practice
The Reasonable & Prudent Standard of Care for Nephrology
Nursing - Key Concepts:
The Standard of Care is that care which a reasonable and prudent
nephrology nurse would give under the same or similar
circumstances.
The Standard of Care includes actions a reasonable and prudent
nephrology nurse would do, as well as actions the nurse would avoid
doing.
In general, the Standard of Care for nephrology nursing is keyed
to this specialty and the skills and knowledge expected of a
nephrology nurse.
Following the Standard of Care makes the care given defensible
and avoids negligence.
When supervising non-licensed, assistive personnel, it is the
responsibility of the licensed nurse to ensure these teammates also
meet the Standard of Care.
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2010 - 2012 DaVita Inc. All rights reserved Rev. August 2012
3
Continuing Education (CE)
Delegation The NCSBN defines delegation as the act of
transferring to a competent individual the authority to perform a
selected nursing task in a selected situation, the process for
doing the work.
Test Your Knowledge
Question: Charge RN Mike just received a verbal order from Mrs.
Pales
nephrologist to initiate EPO therapy at 3,300 units per
treatment. Mike asks RN Elvira to administer the medication.
Did Mike delegate or assign this task? Answer: If you said
assign you are correct. Because Elvira is also a
registered nurse, and administering a medication is within
her
licensed scope of practice, Mike did not delegate but assign
this task to her.
Question: Margaret is a competent PCT with 8 years of
dialysis
experience and the team leader, nurse Wanda, trusts her
judgment completely. When Margaret reports that her patient Toni
is short of breath, Margaret asks Wanda to give him oxygen at 2
L/min. Was
Wandas decision to delegate this task correct? Answer: The
answer to this question is twofold. While Wanda can delegate the
task
of administering oxygen to a PCT, the general nursing functions
of
assessment, planning, evaluation, and nursing judgment cannot be
delegated. Therefore, Wanda must assess Toni herself and determine
the
need for appropriate treatment before delegating such a task to
Margaret.
Question: Supervision is part of the delegation process and the
nurse should consider the knowledge, skills and abilities of the
unlicensed teammates that are
supervised. PCT Carl has been in training for six weeks and
completed
DaVita Prep class. What tasks can the licensed nurse delegate to
Carl? Answer: The DaVita training process is based on consistent
education and the
completion of work books with skills check lists. Before
delegating any task, the nurse should confirm that the trainee is
able to perform the task
including the completion of the accompanying skills check
list.
Question: PCT Beth is an advanced cannulator and has been asked
by the charge
nurse to cannulate the new AV fistula of patient Myrna. But
Myrna arrives 15 minutes late and it is now time for Beth to take
her lunch break. She
therefore asks David, who is also an advanced cannulator, to put
Myrna on the machine. Is this OK?
Answer: A task delegated by the licensed nurse to a non-licensed
teammate cannot
be re-delegated by this teammate. Myrna should therefore go back
to the nurse and ask that the task be delegated to another
teammate.
Question: What is DaVitas accountability in the delegation
process? Answer: The accountability of DaVita as an organization
relates to providing
sufficient resources, adequate staffing ratios and an
appropriate staffing mix. DaVita is also responsible for the
implementation of policies &
procedures and job descriptions, creating an environment
favorable to teamwork and patient centered care and providing
opportunities for
teammate development.
Delegation Pathways
MD
RN
LPN/LVN
Nursing Assistive
Personnel
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2010 - 2012 DaVita Inc. All rights reserved Rev. August 2012
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Continuing Education (CE)
Delegation Decision Tree for Nurses as outlined by the NCSBN
Assessment & Planning
Are there laws and rules in place that support the
delegation?
Is the task within your scope of practice?
Have you assessed the patients nursing care needs?
Are you competent that you can make delegation decisions?
Does the task meet all the criteria recommended for delegation
to nursing assistive personnel (NAP)?
Is within the NAP range of function Frequently recurs in the
daily care of one or more patients Is performed according to an
established sequence of steps Involves little or no modification
from one patient care
situation to another The outcome of the task is reasonably
predictable Does not involve nursing assessment, interpretation
or
decision making which cannot be logically separated from the
procedure(s) itself
Does not endanger the patients life or well-being
Has the NAP been trained and is competent to perform the
task?
Are there policies & procedures or protocols in place for
this task
or activity?
Are you able to provide appropriate supervision?
Proceed with delegation.
Authority to delegate varies. For example, if regulated by the
BON, tasks PCTs are allowed to perform vary. Licensed nurses must
check the
jurisdictions statutes and regulations.
Tasks that are not in the licensed nurses scope of practice
cannot be delegated to an NAP.
Assess the patients needs, then consider delegation
Do not delegate until evidence of appropriate education of the
NAP is available, then reconsider
delegation; otherwise do not delegate.
Do not delegate.
Do not delegate until evidence of education and validation of
competency is available, then
reconsider delegation; otherwise do not delegate.
Do not proceed without evaluation of need for policy, procedures
and/or protocol
or determination that it is in the best interest of the patient
to proceed with delegation.
Do not delegate
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
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2010 - 2012 DaVita Inc. All rights reserved Rev. August 2012
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Continuing Education (CE)
Delegation for Nurses Communication Nurse Responsibilities NAP
Responsibilities
Explains the task to the NAP
Assesses the NAPs understanding of the task including
expectations
Provides clarification as needed Assesses the NAPs knowledge how
to accomplish the task Explains specific patient requirements
Instructs the NAP when and what information to report to
the nurse Instructs the NAP which patient concerns/reactions
must
be reported immediately Communicates availability to help and
support the NAP Verifies that the NAP accepts the delegated task
and
responsibility in carrying it out
Asks questions about the task Seeks clarification if needed
Informs the nurse if he/she has not done this
task before or has done it only infrequently Asks for additional
training or supervision if
needed Communicates understanding of expectations Establishes a
plan of action for emergency
situations
Timely, complete and accurate documentation of the delegated
task, assessment of the patient and the patients response if
applicable are also part of the delegation communication
process.
Delegation for Nurses Supervision Nurse Responsibilities
Determines the level of supervision needed and monitors the NAPs
performance of the task accordingly Assures compliance with
policies & procedures and standards of care Intervenes and
follows up on problems and concerns in a timely manner Is aware if
the NAP has difficulties completing the task, assists proactively
and provides adequate follow up Responsible for the overall care
provided to the patient
The Nurse Should Decline an Assignment to Supervise if the
Nurse:
Does not have the authority to intervene and take corrective
action if needed Has never performed the activity to be supervised
Does not have the opportunity and/or proximity to provide effective
monitoring Would not be able to intervene if there were a problem
Does not meet the qualifications based on CMS Conditions for
Coverage (CfC) and/or state regulations
DaVita Policy (per CfC): o RN in Charge of Nursing Services:
Full time employed, has 12 months clinical nursing experience
and 6 months experience in providing care to patients on
maintenance dialysis. Must play an active role in Quality
Improvement programs and attend meetings. Provides oversight and
direction to all direct patient care teammates in the facility. Has
clinical supervisory responsibility. Responsible for assessing the
charge nurses prior experience in demonstrating strong critical
thinking skills before placing the nurse in the charge role.
o Charge Nurse Standards: RN or LPN/LVN, meets State practice
requirements, has 12 months clinical nursing experience, including
3 months experience in providing care to patients on maintenance
dialysis. LPN/LVN works under RN supervision in accordance with
state nursing practice act provisions. Must be present whenever a
patient is in the facility.
o Staff Nurse Standards: RN or LPN/LVN who meets the practice
requirements in the State where he/she works. Cannot be left in
charge without meeting requirements.
o Self-Care & Home Dialysis Training Nurse Standards: RN,
has 12 months clinical nursing experience, and 3 months experience
in the specific modality for which the nurse will provide self-care
training.
Delegation for Nurses Evaluation & Feedback Nurse Evaluation
of the Effectiveness of the Delegation
Did the NAP perform the task correctly following policy and
procedure? Was the desired or expected outcome achieved? Was the
communication effective and timely? What went well, what could be
done better? If applicable, were concerns addressed in a
constructive manner? Was appropriate feedback given to the NAP
including praise for a task well done? Is the patient doing well or
should the overall plan of care be adjusted?
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2010 - 2012 DaVita Inc. All rights reserved Rev. August 2012
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Continuing Education (CE)
Delegation Pearls of Wisdom
The 5 Rights of Delegation:
Right Task Right Person Right Circumstances Right Directions
& Communication Right Supervision & Evaluation
Tasks that can be delegated: Occur frequently Are technical in
nature Are considered standard and unchanging Have predictable
results Have minimal potential risk for patients
Achieving Delegation Success:
All teammates know delegation process Teammates have confidence
in one another Teammates know their job descriptions Process for
competency assessment is in place Teammates communicate well with
one another Process is not used to delegate unpleasant tasks
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2010 - 2012 DaVita Inc. All rights reserved Rev. August 2012
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Continuing Education (CE)
Policies, Procedures & Protocols
Policies, procedures and protocols play an important role when
nurses decide
whether an activity or task is within their scope of practice
and when delegating a task to nursing assistive personnel. Policies
and procedures show that clinical
practices are planned and intended. They require that
manufacturers specifications are followed and that activities are
documented.
Policy & Policies are guidelines and principles and describe
the purpose of what will be Procedure done. They are the
overarching standard for handling activities, systems, and
problems.
Procedures are far more specific and provide a step by step
series of actions, processes, or measures to be taken to implement
or address a particular activity, system, or problem.
Protocols require a physician order for initiation. They are
individualized to each patients clinical circumstance, e.g. current
lab results or other objective data, and include explicit
medication instructions which do not leave any discretion to
DaVita
teammates in determining the dose and frequency. Protocols also
include time
frames for the physician to review and sign medication dose
changes, continuation of the protocol, and conditions under which
the physician should be notified.
Standard In legal terms, Standard of Care means the level at
which the average, prudent Of Care provider in a given community
would practice. The standard of care is how
similarly qualified practitioners would have managed the
patient's care under the same or similar circumstances. The
Standard of Care is based on providing
ordinary care and the facts known at the time care is given. It
is the practitioners duty to meet the Standard of Care.
A valuable Through its clinical policies and procedures, DaVita
provides standard of care
Gift guidance for teammates working in the facilities.
Developing new and revising existing P&Ps requires a systematic
approach and the cooperation of many
teammates and departments:
Recognition of the need for a new policy or procedure, or
revision to an existing policy or procedure (e.g. new products on
the market, change in CMS
Conditions for Coverage, change in recommended practices by
KDOQI, etc.) Review of current literature and manufacturer
recommendations Drafting of new P&P or revision to existing
P&P by committee members with
special knowledge of the subject matter
Editing by department leads specific to the P&Ps subject
(e.g. medications, vascular access, BioMed, infection control,
etc.)
Testing of the new or revised P&P in the field if applicable
Formatting on DaVita template Review by designated member of OCMO
(Office of the Chief Medical Officer) Approval by Clinical
Oversight Committee Approval by Risk and Compliance Scheduled for
release twice a year in March and September (in rare instances,
a new or revised P&P may be needed immediately and is then
announced in and released through Village Communications)
Policy & Procedure Implementation consists of 4 steps:
Governing Body approval Teammate Training (LMS based or hard copy
handout) P&P Implementation Attestation of P&P
Implementation
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2010 - 2012 DaVita Inc. All rights reserved Rev. August 2012
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Continuing Education (CE)
Why Cant I Do It My Way?
Failure to practice within the standard of ordinary care can
lead to civil liability in the
event of an adverse patient outcome.
Elements of Liability
Physical plant & dialysis equipment are integral to delivery
of safe dialysis. Care can be questioned even if it is performed
within the standard of care. Areas for legal attack include
competence of care giver, procedure,
documentation, machines, water system and making a monetary
profit.
Ive been a nurse for 30 years and some of these new policies
just change the way we do things
Ive been doing this for ages and no one ever complained about
the way Ive done it.
Its quicker the way I used to do it. This new policy just added
more steps.
The answer to these questions and comments is the same:
Caregivers who are doing it their way without regard to P&P
or Scope of Practice concerns may find themselves outside of the
Standard of Ordinary Care in the event of an
adverse patient outcome!
NegligenceProximate
CauseDamages
Negligence:
Failure to exercise ordinary care which
results in an adverse event to a patient
Jury Verdicts 1994-2000 All States
#1: Medication Errors #2: Lack of Informed Consent #3: Treatment
Errors #4: Negligent Supervision Source: Jury Verdict Research
2002
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2010 - 2012 DaVita Inc. All rights reserved Rev. August 2012
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Continuing Education (CE)
Elements of Negligence
Importance of Documentation
Memorialize Monitoring & Observing: Reality Gather and
document information
Recognize significance of certain information Keep patient safe
Treatment:
Follow orders Implement interventions Respond to alarms Use
equipment safely Medication Administration:
Administer medications correctly Check for allergies Note
patient response Teaching: Rights, Responsibilities, Grievance
Procedure Emergency procedure Other (renal disease, vascular
access, infection control, adequacy,
complications, medications, etc.)
Did the nurse have a duty to the patient?
Yes
Breach of Duty Did the nurse fail to meet the Standard of
Care?
Yes
Did this breach cause the plaintiffs injury or adverse
event?
Yes
Are there damages as a result of this breach?
Yes
Plaintiff wins the medical malpractice suit!
A Point to Remember:
Lack of documentation will open an attack on your care!
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2010 - 2012 DaVita Inc. All rights reserved Rev. August 2012
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Continuing Education (CE)
Communication:
Documentation & Notification Who was notified by name and
title
Time you called / time you discussed
What you told them What they told you
Supervision:
Monitor performance Assign/delegate appropriately
Demonstrate DaVita P&P serves as Best Demonstrated Practice
Compliance
Conform Acting according to P&P is prima facie evidence of
compliance with the To P&P Standard of Care!
Conclusion Scope of practice, delegation rules, and policies and
procedures are all
integral parts of nephrology nursing and assist nurses to
practice within the
parameters of their license and according to the accepted
standard of care. Good communication with other members of the
interdisciplinary team, the
patients and their families is also very important.
Communication includes
verbal interactions as well as accurate documentation in the
medical record. In addition, nephrology nurses should be aware of
changes within
their specialty. Certification, joining a professional
organization and subscribing to nephrology related magazines will
assist nurses in staying
up-to-date. Together, these measures will help nurses protect
their license and deliver safe and effective care to our
patients.
References
DaVita Inc. Policies, Procedures & Guidelines DaVita Inc.
Educational Materials
Working with Others National Council of State Boards of Nursing
(2005)
Prima facie: On its first appearance
or At first sight
A Latin expression
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2010 - 2012 DaVita Inc. All rights reserved Rev. August 2012
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Continuing Education (CE)
Instructions for completing the Post Test and printing your CE
Certificate 1st Read the CE article 2nd Log onto DaVitas Star
Learning
Type starlearning.davita.com in the address box. Then click go.
Type in your login ID and password (same as you use with intranet).
Then click login
3rd Select the course Click on Main Menu (located in horizontal
blue menu bar) Click on Self-Service Click on Learning Click on
Search Catalog In the Search the Catalog box, type in Nephrology
Nursing: Scope of
Practice Delegation Policy & Procedures and click Search
Activities Click on the title Nephrology Nursing: Scope of Practice
Delegation Policy
& Procedures
4th Complete the online post test and evaluation Select Enroll
(or if you previously enrolled, select launch) In the Review
Information page select Submit Enrollment In the Enrollment
Confirmation page select Launch In the Table of Contents page
select Launch Read instructions. Then scroll to bottom of page and
select next Complete test (the questions will be the same as listed
below)
Complete evaluation. Please note, entries must be made in all
boxes or program will not proceed
Click Mark Complete to ensure your score is recorded
5th Print CE certificate Click on Main Menu (located in
horizontal blue menu bar). Click on Self-Service. Click on Learning
Click on All Learning On All Learning page click on All Learning,
Any Status, Date, Type in the Filter
Name drop down box
Click on View Certificate in the course you just completed and
print
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2010 - 2012 DaVita Inc. All rights reserved Rev. August 2012
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Continuing Education (CE)
Post Test Questions (to be completed on Star Learning)
1. An independent nursing function is defined as
a. Implementing a physician ordered protocol b. Outlining the
patients plan of care c. Performing a task that is within the field
of nursing
d. Adjusting a patients dry weight
2. A skill/task that was taught in your basic nursing program,
but has not yet become routine in nursing literature and
practice
a. Is within your scope of practice b. Is only within your scope
of practice if you have completed an additional
comprehensive training program
c. Is within your scope of practice if policies and procedures
are available to perform the skill/task
d. Is not within your scope of practice
3. The nurse acting within the standard of ordinary care for
nephrology nursing is
a. A nurse of ordinary prudence b. A nurse who is extraordinary
careful
c. A nurse who is exceptionally skillful d. A medical law
professor
4. Tasks that can be delegated by the nurse a. Require a patient
assessment and have predictable results
b. Occur frequently and are considered standard and unchanging
c. Require planning and are technical in nature
d. Have minimal potential risk for and require an evaluation of
the patient
5. When delegating a task, it is the nurses responsibility to a.
Verify the delegatees training and competence to perform the task
and that the
delegatee accepts the delegated task and the responsibility in
carrying it out
b. Ensure that the jurisdictions statutes and regulations allow
the delegatee to perform the task
c. Determine the level of supervision needed and monitor the
delegatees performance of the task accordingly
d. All of the above
6. Which is not a strategy for delegation success?
a. Teammates know their job description b. Unpleasant tasks are
rotated
c. A process for competency assessment is in place
d. All teammates know the delegation process
7. Within DaVita, the Standard of Care is defined by a. The
teammates experience in completing a task correctly b. DaVitas
clinical policies and procedures c. The physician ordering a
procedure d. A general understanding of what constitutes quality
patient care
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2010 - 2012 DaVita Inc. All rights reserved Rev. August 2012
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Continuing Education (CE)
8. In nursing practice, the term negligence means
a. Failure to exercise ordinary care which results in an adverse
event to a patient b. Failure to exercise ordinary care which does
not result in a personal injury to a
patient c. All of the above
d. None of the above
9. Within the United States, Negligent Supervision was the
number ___ cause for jury
verdicts during the years of 1994 2000 a. One
b. Two c. Three
d. Four
10. Poor or incomplete documentation
a. Can be excused during times of working short staffed b. Can
be amended in a court of law through a verbal recollection of what
happened
c. Will open an attack on your care
d. Has no impact on quality patient care
DaVita is accredited as a continuing education provider by the
California Board of Nursing. This
educational activity is approved by most states and specialty
organizations that recognize the California
Board of Nursing accreditation process.