Delegation/Legally responsible

[Misstika]

Hello, I am a current LPN student. I am trying to make sure that I have the correct understanding about delegation. Here's the scenario...

Just say me as an LPN needed to have a patient transferred from their bed into their wheelchair via hoyer lift. I am personally unable to do so at the moment and this must be done in a timely fashion. I delegated this task to a CNA and (I asked if she/he was capable of doing it beforehand, they stated yes.) while transferring the patient an accident occurred. From what I am reading, legally, I'm not accountable for anything. Am I correct? Just wanted to know if I am understanding things correctly.

[dishes, BSN, RN]

What is the recommended practice/policy for using the lift one or two staff?

[Castiela]

It really depends what happened- was it an incident with the actual lift process? Was the patient too unstable to be lifted and something happened during? Did the patient require two people to assist but you left the CNA to do it on their own? Without more information, we really can't say

[Misstika]

I can see how this scenario has holes where more information should be. Just say the accident occurred due to incompetence from the CNA. Only one person was needed for the task. I'm basically trying to understand. If I have someone do something and they say they are capable and an issue occur because of lack of skills/knowledge.

[Okami_CCRN, BSN, RN]

As the license holder you are ultimately responsible for the tasks you delegate. It is important that you evaluate the skill and competence of the person you are delegating to.

What I usually do is observe someone perform a skill, once I have determined that they are competent and able to perform that skill I delegate appropriately.

[BBP42]

I would assume that all of the CNAs are inserviced on the operation of the lifts you use at your facility. So if the patient was cleared for transfer by one person who was signed off as to using the Hoyer and they made a mistake, I do not think you would be held responsible. Your responsibility would have been to respond to the accident when notified promptly and provide appropriate care until EMS or your supervisor took control of the situation, as long as that is the case I would think you would be ok.

[dishes, BSN, RN]

I can see how this scenario has holes where more information should be. Just say the accident occurred due to incompetence from the CNA. Only one person was needed for the task. I'm basically trying to understand. If I have someone do something and they say they are capable and an issue occur because of lack of skills/knowledge.

It's up to the licensed staff to ensure that an unlicensed staff member is capable of doing a task safely before delegating it.

[Misstika]

On the original post, I put in parenthesis that I asked if he/she is capable of doing the task and they statef yes. As a new nurse, I wouldn't know what the CNA's are unable to do. So, I'm trying to understand do I physically have to see someone perform a task before I can delegate a task?

[Misstika]

I like to be sure about things. As a new nurse, would it be appropriate for me to check skills? If I am a new nurse at a facility, could I ask an RN about a CNA's capabilities before delegating a task?

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

Read the job descriptions.

CNA's work under YOUR licensure and delegation. You would be the one with a license to be evaluated in this situation . Remember that... you are in charge.