[Papillonkisses]

Hi all,
I have been searching for scope of practice for Florida LPN's online but come up with nothing. My facility has asked we LPN's to begin changing S/P cath's for 2 of our residents, however we all collectively agree this is outside our scope of practice. None of us have ever been taught this procedure, nor do we have an M.D. order stating they can be changed for LPN's. One of the ADON's believes RN's can change them, which is great, but we'd like to know specific's on S/P's and our scope of practice, as the facility is really pushing the LPN's to change them. Anyone have any idea if this is within our scope of practice? Any info. you can offer would be appreciated!!! Thanks!!

[earle58]

if lpns can change g-tubes at the bedside, why not supra pubic caths?

same concept.

when in doubt, call up your bon.

leslie

[Papillonkisses]

We can't change G-tubes in the state of Florida. It's not within our scope of practice. Maybe if you get some type of certification, but we are definitely required to have our G-tube residents go to outpatient for G-Tube changes. That's what makes us believe that we can't change S/P's, because we know we can't do G-tubes. Good thought, though!

[earle58]

Originally Posted by Papillonkisses

We can't change G-tubes in the state of Florida. It's not within our scope of practice. Maybe if you get some type of certification, but we are definitely required to have our G-tube residents go to outpatient for G-Tube changes. That's what makes us believe that we can't change S/P's, because we know we can't do G-tubes. Good thought, though!

ah...ok.
then i agree, you wouldn't be able to change sp caths at bedside.

can the rns change gtubes at bedside?

leslie

[Papillonkisses]

I just called the BON to be sure, they said it is only within your scope of practice if you were either A. Taught in Nursing School or B. Taught by a Licensed Practitioner and that your facility must then have a specific protocol stating that only trained licensed professional's may perform this task. I asked if G-Tubes would follow the same protocol and she said yes. So that's good to know! She said the Nurse Practice Act doesn't go into specifics so at the point at which you are asked to do something you were never taught in school, you are not able to perform that task. She was very helpful, I'm glad I called them to be sure!

[suzanne4]

I moved your thread to the Florida forum since it is specific to that state.

And I agree 100% with what you were told by your BON, their rulings always are over that of the facility.

[Ima Nurse]

RNs and LPNs can't change g-tubes in Louisiana either. I'd never considered a suprapubic cath change. I'm going to go check the LA BON site and read the nurse practice act to see about the suprapubic cath change.

I have a 3 year old daughter with a g-tube, and I do change hers. Her surgeon trained me to change it. I'm a mom of a special needs daughter who just happens to be a nurse. LOL. I know that I can do it as my daughter's parent, but I can't do it in a professional capacity to a pt. My husband received the same training as me, but he's too timid to do it so I take care of it.

[ocb_dave_ocb]

It is so neat seeing the different scopes for different states. I think you did the best thing by calling your BON.. Here in TN we can do Bedside G-Tubes as LPN's but only if they have had one > 3 months.. If it has been < 3 months from the original We have to send them out. Kinda crazy we do have a S/P cath at our facility but I have never changed it.. hmm he is on the other hall though

[wonderfulday]

that was a very interesting thread. thanks for the information

[NurseExec]

I'm a DON in an SNF. ALL my nurses are taught to both change G-tubes and Suprapubics by our staff development coordinator. We have a specific P&P for each one. It is VERY expensive (800$ RT) to have non-emergent transport take a resident to outpatient for something that can be done at the bedside.