CNA accidents, nurse responsible?

[WheresMyPen]

If you have a pt in your care, who was likely accidentally harmed by the CNA assisigned, sent to ER and came back stable, how does this pan out for the nurse? If the nurse had taken every safety precaution and preventative measure prior to the accident, and did all the right things after the accident, and documented.. Can the nurse still be blamed if th CNA does not own up?

[NewMurse1014]

The CNA is responsible for completing the assigned tasks, but the nurse is accountable for the pt and events that happened to that pt. The nurse can delegate tasks to the CNA, but the accountability remains with the nurse. Accidents happen, and if every preventative measure and post-event documentation are taken, the nurse may not be "blamed" but the hospital may do a system review to identify possible weak links of the system and modify policies to prevent future accidents.

[JustBeachyNurse, LPN]

Did you inappropriately delegate? Did you document appropriately? CNAs work under your delegation not your license

[WheresMyPen]

Did you inappropriately delegate? Did you document appropriately? CNAs work under your delegation not your license

Yes the task was within the CNA scope. I wasn't in the room when the accident happened. But when I was notified of what happened I took proper measures and also documented

[loriangel14, RN]

If the actions were within the CNA scope I don't see how the nurse can be blamed.

[LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN]

How can a nurse be blamed for an accident?

If you were alerted and filed an incident report, pt was sent out for examination and the proper protocol was followed, then everything is status quo.

Is administration "blaming" nursing?

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

The nurse would be responsible in incidences in which inappropriate delegation took place. In other words, if the CNA was deemed competent enough to complete the delegated task, the nurse should not face disciplinary action.

However, if a task was delegated to the CNA and he/she lacked the skill level or competence to carry it out, the nurse could get into trouble for any harm that happens to the patient or resident.

Again, appropriate delegation is the key in these situations...

[NOADLS]

Your HR department comes in handy here. HR will have documented evidence supporting that the CNA is indeed trained and able to perform to the standards of the job. When hiring CNA's, we use a list of tasks (this is a comprehensive list that covers everything a CNA could be asked to do within the facility) where the CNA checks and initials beside his or her level of competency (1 - Unable to Perform Task, 3 - Able to Perform Task Independently).

One of the few situations I could think of where the nurse would be accountable for a CNA error is if the CNA expresses that he or she has not been trained to do a specific task and feels uncomfortable doing it. Keep in mind that this task might be within a typical CNA's scope of practice, but it is always possible that one individual will lack the training.

[NurseGirl525, ASN, RN]

You are responsible for the delegation and follow-up. Did you follow-up? That is the question. Did you follow-up and ensure the care was carried out in an appropriate manner? I'm going through venture and say you were responsible without even knowing as it is the RNs job.

[WheresMyPen]

Without giving details it's hard to explain what happened. But from what you guys are saying I feel much better. I did do all the right things