How do I find out what the guidelines for LPNs with central lines are? We are in Florida, do I contact the State Board of Nursing? is it listed specifically on a written article or list of guideliines or do I have to pose the question?
Our hospital policy says they can not access infusaports; but I know non nursing personel do so at physicians offices and high flow labs at Cancer hospitals.
Our policy also says they are not allowed to draw blood from a Central line, this is also done at other facilities by non liscenced personnel.
I realize the question is not what are other facilities doing but what are the guidelines or standards of practice for that specific role.
Thanks in advance, Gina Ward R.N.
FL is one of the states that requires a detailed post-graduate course for LPNs before they can do anything with infusion therapy. There role is strictly guided by the FL Board of Nursing, so you must contact them and obtain all of their information about LPN education courses and scope of practice for infusion therapy. Medical assistants in physician offices may do lots of things that are prohibited for LPNs, which I know makes absolutely no sense. But the MA employed by the physician is directed by delegation from that physician-employer. Most states do not have anything written restricting what they can delegate to MAs, therefore if the physician delegates a procedure to them, they can do it, with or without proper education and training. Delegation from RNs to LPNs and any other unlicensed assistants are governed by a detailed document about such delegation written by the state board of nursing. This is the difference - what professional is doing the delegation and what their respective state board has written about such delegation. Lynn
Lynn Hadaway, M.Ed., RN, BC, CRNI
Lynn Hadaway Associates, Inc.
126 Main Street, PO Box 10
Milner, GA 30257
Website http://www.hadawayassociates.com
Office Phone 770-358-7861