Spiking IV fluids by PCT's

Awesomocity0 · Oct 10, 2015

I don't know what state you're in, but Texas has a resource guide on delegation.

https://www.bon.state.tx.us/practice_delegation_resource_packet.asp

Nurse educators also tend to be experts in delegation and scope of practice, so I'd consult with the ones in your facility. In general, anything that requires nursing judgment shouldn't be done by a PCT.If you feel like your PCT is overstepping her bounds, I'd recommend chatting with her and telling her it doesn't make you feel comfortable. If it's a safety issue (which, I actually think it might be), and your manager doesn't care, it's time to keep going up the chain until you get an answer about policy. If no one wants to help, you could even contact your board.

VANurse2010 · Oct 10, 2015

My question to all is can a patient care technician hang and spike IV fluids? I work in a recovery room and our PCT constantly wants to perform nursing duties. She was seen zeroing an art-line, suctioning a incubated patient, and much more. She never does PCT duties like empty foleys and drains. She was even seen striping drains. I mentioned this to our manager but nothing has been done about it. Am I over reacting?

You're not over-reacting. IV Fluids are medications that can cause serious adverse effects if not monitored properly. I don't see a problem with zeroing the art line or suctioning *if* the PCT has undergone specific training, and it has been specifically *delegated* to that PCT. Otherwise, this person is going outside their scope of practice and needs to be reined in.

P.S. who still strips drains?

Everline · Oct 10, 2015

They aren't allowed to do that in the hospital where I work. Some of the patient care techs could do a lot more than they are allowed to do. We have some very knowledgeable techs, some of which are on the path to becoming excellent nurses. In the mean time, however, they must stick to the duties within their scope and/or within hospital policy.

HelloWish, ADN, BSN · Oct 10, 2015

I think it is a serious issue. It is the nurses licence on the line if the PCT makes an error!

akulahawkRN, ADN, RN, EMT-P · Oct 10, 2015

I take the exact same approach with my techs as I do with my EMT partners that I had (once upon a time). I'm very happy to them help me with certain tasks, like spiking NS lines. I will not allow them to spike any medications. I certainly will not allow them to hang (meaning connect a flooded line to a patient) under any normal circumstances. If my techs are credentialed to do certain tasks, I will allow them to perform those tasks. If they step outside their usual scope of practice, then I'll bring it up.

Just be careful how many feathers you ruffle and be sure you have hospital policy backing you up because it's possible that "your" techs are actually "medical" and not nursing staff.

CrunchRN, ADN, RN · Oct 10, 2015

I hope not.