NYC LPNs: I Have A Question

[pagandeva2000, LPN]

This is more specific for those who work in hospital clinics. Are you able to administer flu and pneumonia vaccines without an RN to screen if it is a Patient Specific order that was written by a physician, nurse practitioner or physician assistant?

I am asking this because my facility has an insane policy that states that LPNs cannot administer flu/pneumo vaccines unless they have been screened by an RN-even with a doctor's order. I wrote the BON and their response is that as long as there is a patient specific order written by a licensed practitioner, that we can give them, however, if it is under standard order, not being seen by a physician, then, an RN must screen, and then, the LPN can give. Just curious as to what you all are going though with these flu vaccines. Please mention the name of the hospital, if you don't mind...no other details, just where you all are working...I am sort of surveying. THANKS!:wink2:

[SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN]

Huh? I always administered flu vax. If my patients were being pre-screened by an Rn I have no idea.

??

[pagandeva2000, LPN]

Huh? I always administered flu vax. If my patients were being pre-screened by an Rn I have no idea.

??

I have been on an email vengence with the BON, and was told that the hospital can restrict what they like, however, as long as there is an order for a specific patient, we can, in fact, administer flu and pneumococcal vaccines, because it has already been assessed by the ordering practitioner. However, check this out...thank goodness I emailed them. The flu clinics I used to do-I was advised strongly not to, because these are non-specific orders (standard orders), and those should be assessed by an RN. Anyone doing those clinics, they told me, are taking a chance if something happens. I just happened not to do them this year, and here we go...it was probably meant not to do them. At least, if there was an RN present, it would be different, but there are none.

I think that my hospital is doing a stupid thing, however, I learned something from it.

I am sure that you were covered under your situation, as long as there was a specific order for a specific patient written by a physician.

[SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN]

Huh. I don't know. I'm just relieved that I am on the verge of being spared the nonsense of being deemed incapable of screening someone for a vaccination.