Summary
The process of nursing tasks delegation is fairly similar across the United States, yet certain characteristics are unique to specific areas. In Virginia, the legal criteria for delegation in the nursing setting start with the assessment of the target population, to whom the specified nursing services are to be delivered (Virginia General Assembly, n.d.). Afterward, the needs and key steps are prioritized, followed by the identification of the quality standards that will have to be met in the process (Virginia General Assembly, n.d.). As soon as the specified goal is completed, the key objectives are communicated to nurses, educational and training standards are located, and appropriate resources are allocated (Virginia General Assembly, n.d.). The specified steps are expected to lead o the effective delegation of key nursing responsibilities according to the Virginia laws.
Improper Delegation
In compliance with the existing standards for nursing care delegation may lead to severe outcomes for both patients and nurses. In the case of the former, the failure to meet the pre-established requirements for care may affect patients’ health seriously, leading to the development of complications, chronic disorders, and even death (Young et al., 2016). Indeed, given the range of tasks that can be delegated in the course of managing patients’ needs, including the collection of information such as patients’ vital signs and changes in their well-being, inaccurate data may lead to medical errors (Young et al., 2016). As a result, patients may be provided with doses of medication that are too high or too low, given wrong instructions, and presented with otherwise inaccurate information about managing their health (Young et al., 2016). For nurses, in compliance with the delegation standards will inevitably entail penalties and, in case of patients’ health being impaired, entail resignation, loss of the license, or even a lawsuit (Young et al., 2016). Therefore, ensuring that the nursing services are delegated in a proper and correct manner is essential.
Barriers
Although numerous measures have been introduced to improve the quality and efficacy of care, multiple obstacles to the delegation of key tasks remain in their place. The barriers such as poor interdisciplinary collaboration, inefficient communication, and high workload rates reducing the efficacy of delegation are still significant hindrances for nurses in most healthcare facilities (Young, Farnham, & Reinhard, 2016). The specified barriers are intertwined closely with each other; for instance, the absence of effective communication tools causes significant difficulties in the enhancement of collaboration (Young et al., 2016). In turn, high turnover rates and low levels of staffing in most healthcare organizations have a direct impact on the extent of workload that nurses have to endure (Young et al., 2016). As a result, delegating tasks becomes impossible, with most nurses already being busy with a plethora of assignments and responsibilities (Young et al., 2016). Consequently, the threat of medical errors increases as the quality of communication leaves much to be desired, whereas the extent of workload and the unwillingness or inability to cooperate contribute to the aggravation of the nursing environment.
Risk Mitigation Strategies
To reduce the extent of legal risks to which nurses may be subjected once the delegation processes are implemented incorrectly, a nurse manager may need to design specific strategies adjusted to the needs of the target population. However, when applying the specified concern to a general environment, one may consider the options such as the update of the instructions for key procedures, the use of innovative technological tools for improving communication, and the reinforcement of corporate policies concerning collaboration. The integration of the latest technological solutions will allow making the communication process more useful, at the same time enabling improvements to the current schedule and the arrangement of the workload (Fisher, Croxson, Ashdown, & Hobbs, 2017). As for collaborative practices, they will reduce the number of cases involving information mismanagement, thus preventing medical errors. Most importantly, making instructions more concise and palatable will help nurses to deliver services in a more accurate and effective fashion (Fisher et al., 2018). Thus, the legal risks that the improper delegation of tasks and responsibilities may entail will be mitigated.
References
Fisher, R. F., Croxson, C. H., Ashdown, H. F., & Hobbs, F. R. (2017). GP views on strategies to cope with increasing workload: A qualitative interview study. British Journal of General Practice, 67(655), 148-156.
Virginia General Assembly. (n.d.). Administrative code.
Young, H. M., Farnham, J., & Reinhard, S. C. (2016). Nurse delegation in-home care: Research guiding policy change. Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 42(9), 7-15.