HB1131
To Authorize An Advanced Practice Registered Nurse To Delegate Certain Tasks To Medical Assistants And Other Unlicensed Staff.
AI-Generated Summary
This bill proposes to amend Arkansas law to allow Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) to delegate certain nursing tasks to medical assistants and other unlicensed healthcare workers. Specifically, the bill would permit the delegation of medication and immunization administration, provided these tasks do not require specialized judgment, and phlebotomy activities. The Arkansas State Board of Nursing will be responsible for defining additional authorized tasks and establishing rules for this delegation. These rules will cover aspects such as the physical setting for medication administration, assessing patient condition appropriateness, and training and competency requirements for the unlicensed staff. The APRN delegating the task remains responsible for the actions of the healthcare worker performing it. Unlicensed staff performing delegated tasks cannot misrepresent themselves as licensed professionals and must operate under the APRN's supervision. This bill does not permit unlicensed individuals to further delegate tasks, nor does it allow Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists to delegate anesthesia. It also clarifies that this does not repeal existing laws allowing individuals to perform specific tasks.
Potential Impact Analysis
Who Might Benefit?
The primary beneficiaries of this bill would be Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) and the unlicensed healthcare staff, such as medical assistants, who would be authorized to perform delegated tasks. APRNs could potentially increase their efficiency and patient throughput by offloading certain routine duties. Medical assistants and other unlicensed staff could see an expansion of their scope of practice and potentially increased job opportunities or responsibilities. Patients might also benefit from potentially improved access to care and reduced wait times, as APRNs could manage their patient load more effectively. Healthcare facilities employing these professionals could experience operational efficiencies.
Who Might Suffer?
The groups most directly and negatively impacted by this bill could be licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and potentially registered nurses (RNs) whose current duties might be absorbed by unlicensed staff. There could be concerns about the potential for a dilution of nursing standards or an increase in medical errors if the delegated tasks are not adequately supervised or if the training for unlicensed staff is insufficient. Patients might also be negatively impacted if they experience a decline in the quality of care due to tasks being performed by individuals with less comprehensive training and licensure, particularly in the administration of medications and immunizations. Professional nursing organizations may also express concerns regarding the scope of practice changes and the potential implications for the nursing profession.