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  • 1.  LPNs and nurse led protocols

    Posted 05-26-2022 10:22
    I have presented to my clinic about nurse led protocols. There has been discussion from nurses that they thought LPNs were not allowed to work off protocols. We live in KS. I had never heard of this before, and when I worked in the hospital setting, LPNs worked off protocols. Any guidance on this would be appreciated! Thanks :)

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    Kelsey Ellis BSN RN
    Konza Prairie Community Health Center
    Junction City KS
    (785)238-4711 (4005)
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  • 2.  RE: LPNs and nurse led protocols

    Posted 05-27-2022 09:21
      |   view attached
    You would need to check the nurses' scope of practice for your state.  In Colorado, the document is quite confusing.  We have always used RNs for triage in that we can assess and come up with a plan of care.  LPNs cannot perform the initial assessment - and we feel that if a patient calls with a new symptom, that would be an initial assessment.  We are exploring using LPNs in triage (see attached); however, at this time we are still using RNs.



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    Michaelene Wolff, BSN, RN, OCN, AMB-BC
    Coordinator, Clinical Programs
    Chair, Ambulatory Telephone Protocol Committee
    University of Colorado Hospital
    Aurora CO
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    Attachment(s)

    docx
    LPN triage.docx   34 KB 1 version


  • 3.  RE: LPNs and nurse led protocols

    Posted 05-27-2022 09:26

    I would refer back to your state scope of practice/licensure for LPN. It can get "tricky". I also previously worked as an LPN (in an inpatient setting). Some of the limitations of my license impacted my ability to perform a primary assessment, who could/couldn't delegate to me, and what that looked like.

    I am always very supportive of using all levels of licensure to the top of their scope.

    The word "protocol" also comes with various interpretations. We have both protocols, and standing orders. Our LPNs can, and do, implement standing orders for certain things. However, the majority of our protocols would require an assessment at the level of an RN – so those independent nurse led visits are RN driven.

     

    Jennifer (Jennie) Greer, MSN, RN, TNS, CEN

    Manager Clinical Services

    OSF Medical Group and OSF Home Care

    124 SW Adams St | Peoria, IL | 61602

    w: (309) 683-7209 | c: (309) 706-8238

    www.osfhealthcare.org

     

    "Serving with the greatest care and love."

     

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