Please enlighten me;is the cna allowed to insert urinary catherer in any state?

Nurses General Nursing

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I had a conversation with another nurse and she stated that CNAs can be trained in performing an intermittent catheterization (I'm talking about home health aids) I personally think that is not true but maybe I'm in wrong here?

Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

there is no way any of us knows the laws of all 50 states, and I have learned that people in my own facility are ignorant of some laws. In my state the CNA is CERTIFIED, not licensed. Only licensed personnel can do invasive procedures.

Specializes in FNP.

They do here.

Only licensed personnel can do invasive procedures.

That is a very broad statement and since you don't list your state there is no way to verify it.

What about the EMTs in your state? They are certified and may be allowed to use EpiPens, do glucose monitoring and start IVs. What about the Respiratory Therapists? There are still a couple of states where they are only certified by national exam and have not achieved state licensure yet since it is still a young profession. They can do suctioning, arterial puncture and even a-line insertion. These procedures were okay in several states for many years even before licensure was approved which was very recently in some states. Are there ED techs anywhere in your state? They to may hold only an EMT or CNA cert but can do invasive procedures. Do you have PCTs in your state? How about Medical Assistants? Hemodialysis Technicians? Phlebotomists? In most states they are also certified and do not have licensure. Do you train personal care providers who may have only a CNA or HHA cert to do glucose monitoring and assist with suctioning a trach or any of the many specific personal needs for their patient which may be invasive? (The OP referred to home health aides.)

However, I do agree that every state is different and there are different titles used in each state especially when it comes to home health.

Specializes in Medsurg/ICU, Mental Health, Home Health.

Pennsylvania - yes

Delaware - no

I know in my local hospital ED Techs can perform caths, and they have to be licensed CNA's according to our state BON. ED Techs also start IV's and do minor splinting.

Here in NY only the ER and ICU techs are trained to cath. But IVs!?!?!? Wow-- now I can't say as I think that is a good idea.......at all. Considering some places put IV teams into place and take that task away from the rest of the NURSES due to high infection rates, seems insane to allow any unlicensed personnel to do IVs.

They do where I work in MI, althought I am not sure I like it. I saw one really mess a guy up.

He was bleeding so much out of his member...more blood than I had ever seen and I work in ortho surgery. She didn't have the critical thinking skills to assess the situation and realize something was wrong, so she forced the catheter in and FORCED the saline into the bubble. All I can say is poor man.

She's not the sharpest crayon in the box though so maybe with proper training others can do them just fine. I would assess the skills of each person before I would trust them alone.

But IVs!?!?!? Wow-- now I can't say as I think that is a good idea.......at all. Considering some places put IV teams into place and take that task away from the rest of the NURSES due to high infection rates, seems insane to allow any unlicensed personnel to do IVs.

The skill of IV insertion can be taught in as little as 3 hours to some who are certified and even to some who hold licenses. It is what is done with the IV once it is inserted that can be an issue for those who have very limited medical education.

He was bleeding so much out of his member...more blood than I had ever seen and I work in ortho surgery.

Competency monitoring is key. I'm sure some have just as many tales of horror from procedures done by those holding a license just as they do for the certified staff.

Specializes in oncology, med surg & corrections.

In AZ they can insert catheters, in fact they are usually better at it, then the floor nurses. Ironically, at a hospital I worked at, would allow them to place foley's but determined they are unable to do an accu check, because it "involved" critical thinking - Really??? :lol2::lol2::lol2: This is a result of an educator, that does not come out from behind her desk.

Specializes in MR/DD.

I was a Patient care assistant in a hospital. I did straight caths, foley caths (insert and D/C) I changed CVC dressings, tested blood sugars, and many other things. I went through a 2 week class and then orientation for another 2 weeks.

Specializes in Emergency Dept. Trauma. Pediatrics.

I am in CO and I don't know what the state law is but I do know of my of CNA's that have put in Catheters not just in home health but at the hospital and the LTC facility as well.

Specializes in MPCU.
there is no way any of us knows the laws of all 50 states, and I have learned that people in my own facility are ignorant of some laws. In my state the CNA is CERTIFIED, not licensed. Only licensed personnel can do invasive procedures.

Just a technical point. If the state sets the requirements to obtain and maintain a privilege, it's a license. (eg. driver's license.) If a non-government entity grants some privilege, it's a certification. For example, a physician has a license to practice medicine, from the state, that physician may then may decide to become board certified as a cardiologist. So in California, Certified Nurse Assistants are licensed.

BTW, a patient can be taught to give themselves injections, ICP, CAPD and other invasive procedures, without being licensed. The patient's family members may also preform those procedures without benefit of a license.

Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.

HHAs can catheterize patients, take care of patients on ventilators, and do dig stim of the rectum in my state. They have task specific training for those things. There are probably other skills they can be taught as well that I am not aware of.

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