Assignment: UAP and Patient Outcomes

NOW F OR AN ORIGINAL PAPER ASSIGNMENT:Assignment: UAP and Patient Outcomes

UAP and Patient Outcomes

Effect of increased use of UAP not fully known

Studies show direct link between decreased RN staffing and decline in patient outcomes.

Increased incidence of falls

Increased incidence of nosocomial infections

Increased physical restraint use

Higher medication errors

Question #2

Which of the following would be appropriate for a nurse to delegate to a UAP?

A. Vital sign measurements

B. Care planning

C. Patient assessment

D. Patient teaching

Answer to Question #2

A UAP may perform vital sign measurements because this task does not require independent thinking or professional judgment. Activities that should never be delegated include those that require the RN to analyze information using highly developed critical thinking skills and then use the nursing process to achieve desired patient outcomes.

RN Liability for Supervision and Delegation of UAP #1

RN responsible for adequate supervision of person to whom assignment has been delegated

RN liable if negligent in supervision of employee at the time the employee committed negligent act

Supervisor’s failure to determine which patient needs could be safely assigned to a subordinate

Failure to closely monitor subordinate requiring supervision

RN Liability for Supervision and Delegation of UAP #2

RN awareness of UAP’s job description, knowledge base, demonstrated skills

“Mindful” communication between the RN–UAP dyad

RN is always:

Accountable for care given

Responsible for instructing UAP as to who needs care and when

RN Liability for Supervision and Delegation of UAP #3

UAP accountable for knowing:

How to perform care properly

When others need to be called in for tasks beyond limits of knowledge and training

Marquis and Huston (2017)

Bottom line: RNs are always accountable for care given and instructing NAPs to perform care properly

ANA general principles for delegating to NAP (see Box 8.2)

RNs Working as UAP: Liability

New graduates being hired as UPAs

Issues of legality

RN not able to provide care to level of expertise—violation of statues

Possible charges of negligence or malpractice if providing care only to the level of the assumed position