R156-44a-601. Delegation of Nursing Tasks

  In accordance with Subsection 58-44a-102(11), the delegation of nursing tasks is further defined, clarified, or established as follows:

  (1) The certified nurse midwife delegating tasks retains the accountability for the appropriate delegation of tasks and for the nursing care of the patient/client. The licensed nurse shall not delegate any task requiring the specialized knowledge, judgment and skill of a licensed nurse to an unlicensed assistive personnel. It is the licensed nurse who shall use professional judgment to decide whether or not a task is one that must be performed by a nurse or may be delegated to an unlicensed assistive personnel. This precludes a list of nursing tasks that can be routinely and uniformly delegated for all patients/clients in all situations. The decision to delegate must be based on careful analysis of the patient's/client's needs and circumstances.

  (2) The licensed nurse who is delegating a nursing task shall:

  (a) verify and evaluate the orders;

  (b) perform a nursing assessment;

  (c) determine whether the task can be safely performed by an unlicensed assistive personnel or whether it requires a licensed health care provider;

  (d) verify that the delegatee has the competence to perform the delegated task prior to performing it;

  (e) provide instruction and direction necessary to safely perform the specific task; and

  (f) provide ongoing supervision and evaluation of the delegatee who is performing the task.

  (3) The delegator shall evaluate the situation to determine the degree of supervision required to ensure safe care.

  (a) The following factors shall be evaluated to determine the level of supervision needed:

  (i) the stability of the condition of the patient/client;

  (ii) the training and capability of the delegatee;

  (iii) the nature of the task being delegated; and

  (iv) the proximity and availability of the delegator to the delegatee when the task will be performed.

  (b) The delegating nurse or another qualified nurse shall be readily available either in person or by telecommunication. The delegator responsible for the care of the patient/client shall make supervisory visits at appropriate intervals to:

  (i) evaluate the patient's/client's health status;

  (ii) evaluate the performance of the delegated task;

  (iii) determine whether goals are being met; and

  (iv) determine the appropriateness of continuing delegation of the task.

  (4) Nursing tasks, to be delegated, shall meet the following criteria as applied to each specific patient/client situation:

  (a) be considered routine care for the specific patient/client;

  (b) pose little potential hazard for the patient/client;

  (c) be performed with a predictable outcome for the patient/client;

  (d) be administered according to a previously developed plan of care; and

  (e) not inherently involve nursing judgment which cannot be separated from the procedure.

  (5) If the nurse, upon review of the patient's/client's condition, complexity of the task, ability of the unlicensed assistive personnel and other criteria as deemed appropriate by the nurse, determines that the unlicensed assistive personnel cannot safely provide care, the nurse shall not delegate the task.