Delegation

High School Nurse to student ratios and School Nurses working more than one building create environment where indirect supervision and

delegation become necessary

Delegation

Five steps of delegation (NCSBN):1. Assess the situation2. Plan for the activity3. Assure appropriate account ability4. Supervise performance of activity5. Evaluate entire delegation processGiving permission for a qualified non-nurse to complete a specific task in a specific situation

Delegation

• ANA: “…the use of UAP personnel to perform delegated nursing tasks in the school setting is appropriate only if the SN is in control of the decision to delegate a health care task…”

• NCSBN: “Boards of Nursing should articulate clear principles for delegation augmented by clearly defined guidelines for delegation decisions” and “UAP are equipped to assist – not replace – the nurse”

Nurse Practice Act

• It shall be the responsibility of the Registered Professional Nurse to determine which nursing procedures unlicensed direct care staff will be allowed to perform, and which unlicensed staff will be allowed to perform them. The RPN shall exercise professional judgement as to when delegation is unsafe.

Nurse Practice Act

• Professional misconduct, such as the unauthorized practice of nursing, or authorizing unqualified unlicensed individuals to perform nursing tasks, are a Class E felony

• Subject to penalties that range from reprimand, to revocation of license, and/or fines up to $10,000

• Health Assessment, Insulin Administration in question

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) - 1975

• Requires states to provide special education services at public expense

• If deemed eligible for special ed, shall receive related services, as appropriate; includes assistive technology, medical services for evaluation purposes, school health services,…

• School health services = “provided by a qualified school nurse or other qualified person”

Section 504: Rehabilitation Act1973

• Prohibits schools that receive any federal funding to discriminate against students who qualify as ‘handicapped’ – must provide access to all programs, prohibits exclusion

• Diabetic students are eligible for accommodations under 504 because diabetes significantly impacts body functioning and affects school performance (‘other health impaired’)

Americans with Disabilities Act1990

• Reaffirms the civil rights of individuals with disabilities and extends their right of access to the ‘full range of services provided by both the public and private sectors’

• Extended Section 504 to apply to daycares, nurseries, elementary & secondary schools, colleges – regardless of whether they receive federal funding or not

A4987 / S4473

• “…trained diabetes care personnel…may perform diabetes care functions including, but not limited to: checking and recording blood glucose levels and ketone levels, or assisting a pupil with such checking and recording such levels, responding to blood glucose levels that are outside the pupils’ target range; administering glucagon and other emergency treatments, as prescribed; administering insulin or assisting a pupil in administering insulin through the insulin delivery system the student uses; providing oral diabetes medications; & following instructions regarding meals, snacks, and physical activity”

A4987/S4473

• “A licensed health care professional, school personnel or…school shall be protected from liability for civil damages…when providing the activities described by this section”

Lack of State Board of Nursing clarification or guidance memo specifying parameter for DM task delegation

How bills change DM care at school

• Transfers elements of nursing supervision and assessment, in addition to the administration of insulin, to a non-nurse school employee

• The professional with the full training, knowledge and appropriate licensure would no longer be primary contact regarding diabetic care

Ramifications of the bills for school staff

• Principals, administrators & parents will likely influence some staff delegations – Since nurses are supposed to determine appropriate delegation, this could be practicing nursing without a license

• Teachers realize delegated health care tasks are outside of their license parameters – they are at risk for professional misconduct, liability – have the right to refuse to take responsibility for these tasks

• Nurses risk license revoke and fines if delegation is not clarified by BON

SAFETY

• Original reason for the Nurse Practice Act – to protect the public and ensure patient safety

Questions regarding laws, guidelines & procedures: New York Statewide School Health Services Centerwww.schoolhealthservicesny.com585-247-7667

Helpful Links

• Americans with Disabilities Act http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/hq9805.html

• Understanding the Differences Between IDEA and Section 504 http://www.ldonline.org/article/6086

• National Council of State Boards of Nursing http://www.ncsbn.org/index.htm

links

• American Nurses Association: “Registered Professional Nurses & Unlicensed Assistive Personnel” http://www.nasn.org/PolicyAdvocacy/PositionPapersandReports/NASNPositionStatementsFullViewtabid/462/ArticleId/116/Unlicensed-Assistive-Personnel-The-Role-of-the-School-Nurse-Revised-2011

• National Association of School Nurses www.nasn.org

links

• Nursing Guide to Practice www.op.nysed.gov/prof/nurse/nurse-guide-April09.pdf

• ANA Joint Statement on Delegation www.ncsbn.org/Delegation_joint_statement_NCSBN-ANA.pdf

• New York Statewide School Health Services www.schoolhealthservicesny.com

• Legal Issues in School Health Services, Schwab & Gelfman, 2001