ANBLPN Position Statement. Accountability

Transcription

1 Accountability Clarify relevant points for Remind LPNS responsibility Inform other members of Assist employers on utilizing Establish LPNs accountability standards. Ensure public s right to Accountability Licensed practical nurses carry a great responsibility towards their clients and need to be aware of their accountability in the therapeutic-client relationship. As integral members of the healthcare team, LPNs are accountable and responsible for the moral and legal requirements for proper client care. Moreover, the Association of New Brunswick Licensed Practical Nurses expects all its members to be responsible and accountable for all the care that they provide. LPNs must be vigilant and not provide or perform any activities outside their For further guidance on accountability requirements please review the Code of. In the event that a Licensed Practical nurse is not accountable for the services they provide and/or performs any activity outside their scope of practice they may be subject to an investigation and a disciplinary procedure.

2 Therapeutic Practical Nurse/ Client Relationships Clarify relevant points for Remind LPNS responsibility Inform other members of Assist employers on utilizing Establish acceptable parameters in the therapeutic practical nurse and client relationships. Ensure public s right to Therapeutic Practical Nurse/Client Relationships A therapeutic practical nurse client relationship is established and maintained by the LPN and the client, through the use of professional nursing knowledge, skills attitudes and judgment in order to provide nursing services that contribute to the client s health and well being. It is the responsibility of the LPN to adhere to the parameters of this relationship by ensuring that this is a relationship that only exists to meet the healthcare needs of the client. There are professional boundaries which exist in order to maintain therapeutic nurse client relationships. A boundary is the point in which the relationship changes from professional and therapeutic to non professional and personal. Crossing the boundary means the LPN has either misused the power in the relationship to meet their own needs, rather or behaves in an unprofessional manner with the client. This standard applies in the care of an acquaintance, a family member, a platonic friend or a romantic/sexual relationship. For further guidance on the parameters of the therapeutic practical nurse client relationship please review the Code of. In the event that a Licensed Practical nurse cannot meet this standard of care and relationship then is their duty to remove themselves from this relationship. Failure to maintain professional therapeutic nurse client relationships may result in disciplinary procedures.

3 Licensed Practical Nurses and Confidentiality Clarify relevant points for Remind LPNS responsibility Regulate the use of clients information Inform other members of the healthcare team about confidentiality requirements Ensure public s right to Licensed Practical Nurses and Confidentiality It is expected that all Licensed Practical Nurses protect all the personal information collected during the therapeutic client relationship. Confidentiality is not restricted to health information, but any information provided by the client during therapeutic client relationship. LPNs can only share this information with other authorized members of the healthcare team. Furthermore, LPNs are expected to only access client s information when is required for treatment. The protection of client s personal information must be maintained even after the therapeuticclient relationship has ended. LPNs will be held accountable for any information breach whether intentional or not and will be subject to disciplinary procedures. For further information about LPN s confidentiality requirements review the Code of.

4 Medication Administration and Nurse Clarify relevant points for Remind LPNS responsibility Inform other members of Assist employers on utilizing Establish the educational requirement for LPNs to administer medication. LPNs requirements to follow employers medications policies. Ensure public s right to Medical Administration and Nurse The association expects that all Licensed Practical Nurses who administer medications to have completed a comprehensive medication administration program that includes theoretical, laboratory and clinical components. Furthermore, the association requires that LPNs meet the following : Maintain the required professional competencies by completing the required hours for registration; and Are employed in a facility that allows LPNs to administer medications. In addition to the requirements listed above, LPNs must follow the employers medication administration policies. Administering medications requires a high degree of accountability and professionalism; as health professionals engaged in this activity LPNs share these responsibilities. Making errors in medical administration can carry serious consequences; LPNs are accountable for maintaining high skills and consulting members of the healthcare team for clarification when necessary. In the event that medication administration errors are made LPNs may be subject to an investigation and if necessary a disciplinary procedure.

5 Professional Misconduct Clarify relevant points for Remind LPNS responsibility to adhere to the Code of Ethics and Standards of Inform other members of the public about the LPN s Define professional misconduct within the LPN practice. Outline consequences for professional misconduct. Ensure public s right to is the regulatory body responsible for setting the standards of practice that LPNs must maintain and is responsible for their education, registration and discipline in the province. ANBLPN ensures the public s right to quality ethical care by regulating and enhancing the licensed practical Professional Misconduct Licensed practical nurses are expected to follow and maintain a high level of professional competency and to demonstrate a behavior consistent with the professional requirements of the practice. Failing to meet these standards can result in a disciplinary procedure and in some cases suspension and/or revocation of license. For further guidance on the behavioral LPN expectations please review the Code of Ethics and Standards of. Some examples of professional misconduct include but are not limited to: Committing any type of abuse of any type (verbal, emotional sexual and/or physical) towards a client or a coworker; Engaging in client abandonment (for specific definition of what constitutes abandonment please read the position statement regarding this topic); Performing theft of any item from a client, coworker or employer; Breaching confidentiality (for specific definition please review the confidentiality position statement); Consuming mind altering substances while at work; Using or creating false documentation; Influencing a client in regards to their last will and testament or any other legal documentation; Abusing your position for personal gain; Being convicted of an indictable offence; Representing oneself as licensed practical nurse without proper registration Failing to report a coworker s misconduct; and Being found guilty of professional misconduct in another jurisdiction.

6 Self-Employed Licensed Practical Nurses Clarify relevant points for Remind LPNS responsibility Inform other members of Assist employers on utilizing Establish acceptable practice standards for selfemployed licensed practical nurses. Ensure public s right to Self-employed licensed practical nurses A therapeutic practical nurse client relationship is established and maintained by the LPN and the client, through the use of professional nursing knowledge, skills attitudes and judgment in order to provide nursing services that contribute to the client s health and well being. The parameters of this relationship do not change if the licensed practical nurses is self-employed; LPNs are still expected to consult and work in collaboration with other members of the healthcare team. Moreover, in order to maintain the integrity of the therapeutic relationship; self-employed licensed practical nurses are expected to create and adhere to a job description created in conjunction with the client or if necessary with their family. It is of upmost importance that the tasks described in the job description are within the LPN In the event that the LPN performs duties outside of their scope of practice they will not be covered by ANBLPN liability insurance and may have to face disciplinary procedures. For further guidance on the parameters of the therapeutic practical nurse client relationship please review the Code of.

7 Maintaining Competency and Nurse Clarify relevant points for Remind LPNS responsibility Inform other members of Assist employers on utilizing Establish the requirements for maintaining professional competency in the Licensed Practical Nurse practice Maintaining Competency and Nurse Licensed practical nurses are a integral part of the healthcare team and they play a crucial role in care delivery. To maintain their role in the healthcare team; LPNs need to ensure that they have all the professional competencies necessary to maintain a level of excellence in their day-today practice. This can be achieved through a variety of sources including in-service workshops, formal course work, informal learning opportunities and annual meetings. The Association of New Brunswick Licensed Practical Nurses expect and requires that its members achieve the required standards of practice by maintaining an active registration, meeting the hourly requirements and continuing education. More specifically, LPNs are legally and ethically bound to maintain their nursing skills in the Code of Ethics and Standards of. In the event that a Licensed Practical nurse cannot meet this standard of practice it may result on disciplinary procedures. Ensure public s right to

8 Advanced Competencies for Nurse Clarify relevant points for Remind LPNS responsibility Inform other members of Assist employers on utilizing Establish the requirements for acquiring, maintaining and practicing advanced competencies. Ensure public s right to Advanced Competencies for the Lice sensed Practical Nurse Licensed practical nurses are a central part of the healthcare team and they play a crucial role in care delivery. LPNs graduate from their basic education with a specific set of competencies. They can pursue further education and acquire advanced competencies through a delegation process or through competencies development. More specifically LPNs must be: Appropriately educated to perform the competency including theory, laboratory and clinical components and these skills must be acquired from a credible provider such as ANBLPN or an accredied college ; and Supported by their employer through job description amendments and/or a unit/practice area policy specifically supporting the LPNs advanced competencies. It is also expected that the LPN will perform the advanced competency (es) frequently in order to maintain their skills. In the event that a Licensed Practical nurse cannot meet this standard of practice it may result on disciplinary procedures.

9 Transcribing Clarify relevant points for Remind LPNS responsibility to adhere to the Code of Ethics and Standards of Inform other members of the healthcare team, and the public about the LPN s scope of practice. Define LPNs transcribing responsibilities Ensure public s right to is the regulatory body responsible for setting the standards of practice that LPNs must maintain and is responsible for their education, registration and discipline in the province. ANBLPN ensures the public s right to quality ethical care by regulating and enhancing the licensed practical Transcribing Transcribing orders involves reading the physician s order sheets and carrying out the necessary actions in order to deliver the required treatment. Orders transcribed can include medication, operative, diagnostic and laboratory orders and other medical activities. LPNs must adhere to facility policies regarding the transcribing of orders. This should include who is authorized to accept verbal and telephone orders, who is responsible for validating the order (Register Nurse or Licensed Practical Nurse) and how they should be documented. It is expected that any LPN transcribing a physician order will: Question and clarify any order that is not clearly written, or appears out of the ordinary. This may include seeking a second opinion from a colleague or contacting the physician for verification. If multiple orders are listed on a chart, all of the orders will be read before transcribing with stat orders being processed first. Sign off, by initialing by each order as it is transcribed. Verify for a second time that all orders have been transcribed and processed as appropriate. Avoid documenting an order when a physician is present to write the order. If transcribing a medication, ensure that it contains the medication name, dose, route and frequency of administration. Notify the RN/LPN of a new medication order transcribed on the Medical Administration Record. When the medication arrives on the unit, check it against the original physician order for accuracy.

10 Abandonment of Care Clarify relevant points for Remind LPNS responsibility Define what constitutes abandonment of care. Outline the consequences for abandonment of care. Provide guidance regarding LPN obligations when transferring the care of a patient to another LPN or health care provider Ensure public s right to Abandonment of Care Licensed practical nurses carry a great responsibility towards their clients and need to be aware of the therapeutic-client relationship responsibilities. Abandonment of care occurs when the LPN leaves the client assignment without transferring client care and/or communicating information to an appropriate caregiver. In order for abandonment to occur the LPN must have established a therapeutic-client relationship and severed that nurse client relationship without giving reasonable notice to the appropriate person (e.g., employer, supervisor) so that arrangements can be made for continuation of nursing care by others. Specific examples of abandonment are: -Leaving abruptly, in the absence of a reasonable explanation, without giving the employer or supervisor adequate notice for replacing the LPN. -Leaving without reporting to the oncoming shift. -Accepting a client care assignment and then leaving without notifying the appropriate person(s). -Sleeping (during an unscheduled break). If a Licensed Practical Nurse is suspected of abandonment of care they will be subject to an investigation which may lead to a disciplinary procedures.

11 Foot Care Clarify relevant points for Remind LPNS responsibility Inform other members of Assist employers on utilizing Establish the requirements for acquiring, maintaining and practicing advanced competencies in foot care. Ensure public s right to Foot Care Licensed practical nurses can acquire the necessary skills to provide advance foot care in a variety of settings including, but not limited to, hospitals, long term care facilities, clients homes and/or private practices. It is the responsibility of the LPN to ensure that they possess all the necessary advanced competencies to assess clients needs and to provide the required foot care treatment. LPNs acquire basic foot care skills during their basic program but require additional education to provide advanced foot care. In order to provide advanced foot care LPNs have to complete a ANBLPN accepted program. In order for a program to meet ANBLPN requirements, it must contain a comprehensive curriculum which includes theory, laboratory and clinical practice components. After completing an accepted program, LPNs are required to inform the ANBLPN about their intention to provide advanced foot care services and are responsible for submitting the credentials that demonstrates their ability to perform these services. Practicing without the required credentials is against the Act and may lead to an investigation which in turn may result in a disciplinary procedure.

12 Self-Reporting Criminal Offences Clarify relevant points for Remind LPNS responsibility to adhere to the Code of Ethics and Standards of Inform other members of the healthcare team, and the public about the LPN s scope of practice. Define LPNs responsibility to self-report about criminal offences Outline consequences for professional misconduct. Ensure public s right to is the regulatory body responsible for setting the standards of practice that LPNs must maintain and is responsible for their education, registration and discipline in the province. ANBLPN ensures the public s right to quality ethical care by regulating and enhancing the licensed practical Self-reporting Criminal Offences Licensed practical nurses are expected to follow and maintain a high level of professional competency and to demonstrate a behavior consistent with the professional requirements of the practice. As such LPNs are required to selfreport to Association of New Brunswick Licensed Practical Nurses if they have been charged with, have pleaded guilty to, been convicted, or found to be guilty in or out of Canada, conviction under the following acts: the Criminal Code (Canada), the Controlled Drug and Substances Act (Canada) and other legislation as prescribed in the regulations LPNs are also required to report if they have been found guilty in a disciplinary procedure in another jurisdiction, have had a licensing sanction imposed, and/ or is the subject of an investigation or disciplinary process in another jurisdiction Self-reporting is an obligation that applies to both initial licensure and annual registration renewal. Once an LPN self-reports, the Association may require the member to fully disclose the facts or circumstances of a conviction. The severity of the offence, its relevance to practice, as well as, the applicant s ability to demonstrate successful remediation, or rehabilitation will be assessed. The decision whether to proceed to a disciplinary hearing, will depend on all of the circumstances of the case. Failing to disclose such information or falsifying registration forms may be ground for professional misconduct which in turn may also result in a disciplinary procedure.

13 Social Media Clarify relevant points for Remind LPNS responsibility Regulate the use of social media in the LPN practice Ensure public s right to Social Medial For the purpose of this position statement, social media is defined as the use of the internet to post or publish information and/or participate in conversations. Social media includes, but is not limited to, websites; social networking; online forums; chat rooms; texting/instant messaging; blogs; wikis; file sharing (video and audio), and; virtual worlds. The same confidentiality requirements that apply in other forms of communication apply to social media. It is expected that all Licensed Practical Nurses protect all the personal information collected during the therapeutic client relationship and only share this information with other authorized members of the healthcare team. Furthermore, LPNs are expected to only access client s information when is required for treatment. The protection of client s personal information must be maintained even after the therapeutic-client relationship has ended. LPNs will be held accountable for any information breach whether intentional or not and will be subject to disciplinary procedures. For further information about LPN s confidentiality requirements review the Code of.