Delegation
Definition
transfer of responsibility for the performance of a task from one individual to another while retaining the accountability for the outcome
Safe delegation practices
Know (5)
Know
- Know nurse practice act (SUPERSEDES any hospital policy)
- Know policies and procedures of hospital you are working in
- Know the patient (assess and assess patient stability) – do not delegate if change in condition possible after task
- Know the staff member (skills, knowledge, competencies, in their job description, past experiences)
- Know the task yourself (NEVER DELEGATE IF YOU DO NOT KNOW THE TASK)
Safe delegation Practices
Tips (6)
Define:
Accountability
- answerable to yourself or others for your own choices, decisions or actions.
- Measured based on standard of care
Responsibility
- doing something that you are suppose to do or obligated to do
Supervision
- provision of guidance, monitoring, oversight of a delegated task
Assignment
- distribution of work among staff members
- Delegation is things outside the CNA’s normal job description or assignment
Delegation: Delegator’s Accountability (7)
Delegation: Delegatee’s Accountability (6)
Delegation: Organization’s Responsibilities (4)
Factors to consider BEFORE delegating (5)
Factors to consider WHEN delegating (8)
Things to never delegate (3)
Five Rights of Delegation (5)
Delegation: Right Task (5)
Conforms w/
Delegation: Right circumstance (4)
Delegation: Right Person (2)
Delegation: Right Direction/communication (4)
Delegation: Right Supervision and Evaluation (6)
Obstacles to delegation
Obstacles to Delegation
Fear
- Fear of not being like
- fear of criticism after doing the task (delegatee obstacle)
- Fear of pushback from UAP
Inability
- inability to give up control (silos)
- Inability to determine what to delegate and to whom
- Inability to move past novice nurse role (lack of confidence)
- Inability to communicate effectively
Common UAP tasks (6)
Ethical/Legal Issues With Delegation
Cost Containment
- increase UAP = decrease RN staffing
- never okay to alter rules of delegation simply b-c short staffed
Nursing Licensure
- everyone is responsible for their own actions
- RN not responsible for UAP doing incorrect action if they have competency
- RN responsible for communication, supervision, evaluation of task and can be found negligent for inappropriate delegation
Communication
- should be clear and concise
Ethical/Legal Issues With Delegation
Scope of Practice
- understand and know nurse practice act b-c outlines and defines duties that only RN can do
- know policies and procedures of hospital where you work
- know standard of practice
Organizational Issues
- substandard care should be reported to nurse manager
- staffing levels need to be safe to care for patients
- ethical issues reported to ethical committee
Common LPN tasks (9)
Obstacles to Delegation
Levels of Supervision (3)
Unsupervised
- Only if you delegate to an RN b-c same skills and credentials so you don’t need to supervise them
Initial direction then Periodic inspection
- RN supervises UAP or LPN
Continuous supervision
- continual support and assistance
- Ex: when you delegate a task to someone for the first time and don’t know how they will do so you go and watch them