Open Forum

Jodi,

Have you looked at the scope and standards of practice for the MA in Washington?  I looked at a couple of states and it varies from state to state.

You need to follow the regulations for your state.

Sincerely,

Diane

Diane Clifton MSN RN Manager Nursing Professional Development LPG Ambulatory Nursing Administration Office: 239-343-6173 Email: diane.clifton@leehealth.org 9800 South HealthPark Cir., Suite 103 Fort Myers, FL 33908 www.LeeHealth.org

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Diane Clifton
Manager Nursing Professional Development
Lee Health
Fort Myers FL
(239)634-3887
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Original Message:
Sent: 09-27-2023 16:57
From: Jodi Dickson
Subject: spirometry in the ambulatory setting

I have seen conflicting information regarding who can perform spirometry.  I'm looking for clarification as to whether this is an MA appropriate task or not.  Curious what other organizations are doing in the ambulatory setting. For clarification, not peak flow or incentive spirometers, but spirometry.

 

Jodi Dickson RN

Clinical Nurse Educator

Clinical Practice & Education ~ Ambulatory Care

(360)814-7373

jdickson@SkagitRegionalHealth.org

 

Hi Jody,

The rules are difficult to interpret.  Here are the major resources. I use these items at least one time per week in my role.  The rules are not black and white, and I recommend consulting with other RNs who may have expertise  to get their feedback (I know your trying to do that now :)). The biggest thing to remember is that the MA does not have clinical judgement.  Often the rules will not specify all the things you can and can't do, likely as healthcare is constantly changing and that would require huge maintenance on the state's behalf.  As a RN you understand what judgement is, and where judgement is needed a MA is not sufficient a.k.a.  symptom based triage calls.  Identify and understand the difference between and MA-R and MA-C, is it a hospital-based clinic or a non-hospital-based clinic (a lot of times hospital vs non-hospital based is a billing thing).  MA-Rs do not have the same scope as a MA-C.    Here is my take on the MA-C and spirometry.  If the MA has written guidelines, approved by a licensed healthcare practitioner and they are performing the task of facilitating the test to gather information for the provider to conduct interpretation and assessment, it is within their scope. Let me know if this is helpful.  Take care. 

Medical Assistant - Laws | Washington State Department of Health

Medical Assistant Frequently Asked Questions | Washington State Department of Health

Nursing Commission Scope of Practice Decision Tree (wa.gov)

LPN and MA Scope of Practice Comparison (wa.gov)

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Judith Puzon
Director, Care Management
UW Valley Medical Center
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Original Message:
Sent: 09-27-2023 16:57
From: Jodi Dickson
Subject: spirometry in the ambulatory setting

I have seen conflicting information regarding who can perform spirometry.  I'm looking for clarification as to whether this is an MA appropriate task or not.  Curious what other organizations are doing in the ambulatory setting. For clarification, not peak flow or incentive spirometers, but spirometry.

 

Jodi Dickson RN

Clinical Nurse Educator

Clinical Practice & Education ~ Ambulatory Care

(360)814-7373

jdickson@SkagitRegionalHealth.org

 

I'm in Oregon and would agree with Judith. I prefer the MA's do spirometry since in our case it's information only for the provider whether the RN or the MA does it.  The RN has other things they can do that require their skill set. We do expect our RN's to be competent in the skill though so  they can serve as recourses or intervene if difficulty arises during the administration of the test. 

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Rebekah Sherman
Director of Nursing
La Clinica de Valle
Medford OR
(541)221-3040
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 09-28-2023 10:46
From: Judith Puzon
Subject: spirometry in the ambulatory setting

Hi Jody,

The rules are difficult to interpret.  Here are the major resources. I use these items at least one time per week in my role.  The rules are not black and white, and I recommend consulting with other RNs who may have expertise  to get their feedback (I know your trying to do that now :)). The biggest thing to remember is that the MA does not have clinical judgement.  Often the rules will not specify all the things you can and can't do, likely as healthcare is constantly changing and that would require huge maintenance on the state's behalf.  As a RN you understand what judgement is, and where judgement is needed a MA is not sufficient a.k.a.  symptom based triage calls.  Identify and understand the difference between and MA-R and MA-C, is it a hospital-based clinic or a non-hospital-based clinic (a lot of times hospital vs non-hospital based is a billing thing).  MA-Rs do not have the same scope as a MA-C.    Here is my take on the MA-C and spirometry.  If the MA has written guidelines, approved by a licensed healthcare practitioner and they are performing the task of facilitating the test to gather information for the provider to conduct interpretation and assessment, it is within their scope. Let me know if this is helpful.  Take care. 

Medical Assistant - Laws | Washington State Department of Health

Medical Assistant Frequently Asked Questions | Washington State Department of Health

Nursing Commission Scope of Practice Decision Tree (wa.gov)

LPN and MA Scope of Practice Comparison (wa.gov)

------------------------------
Judith Puzon
Director, Care Management
UW Valley Medical Center

Original Message:
Sent: 09-27-2023 16:57
From: Jodi Dickson
Subject: spirometry in the ambulatory setting

I have seen conflicting information regarding who can perform spirometry.  I'm looking for clarification as to whether this is an MA appropriate task or not.  Curious what other organizations are doing in the ambulatory setting. For clarification, not peak flow or incentive spirometers, but spirometry.

 

Jodi Dickson RN

Clinical Nurse Educator

Clinical Practice & Education ~ Ambulatory Care

(360)814-7373

jdickson@SkagitRegionalHealth.org