intrauterine pressure catheter(IUPC)

[nurse955]

Do nurses in your unit insert IUPC?

is it within scope of practice for a nurse to insert IUPC or FSE. If anyone has supporting documentation or link from licensing board, please post.

Thanks.

[RFRN]

Check with your state board - In Nebraska, our BON states -

http://www.dhhs.ne.gov/crl/nursing/Rn-Lpn/advisory.htm

It is the opinion of the Nebraska Board of Nursing that it is acceptable practice for registered nurses to insert the various intrauterine pressure devices. Such nurses should have knowledge of anatomy and physiology of the pregnant uterus, and of the potential complications of the various devices. The decision to insert intrauterine pressure devices should be based upon self-assessment of competency, and following an assessment of the client and environment.

It is the opinion of the Board that it is acceptable practice for a registered nurse to apply internal fetal scalp electrodes for fetal heart rate monitoring when membranes are not intact. It is not appropriate for a registered nurse to apply internal fetal scalp electrodes when membranes are intact. However, if external methods of monitoring appear non-reassuring, amniotomy by the registered nurse to place a fetal scalp electrode to assess fetal well-being may be indicated in the absence of the physician or certified nurse-midwife.

A licensed nurse is accountable to be competent for all nursing care that he/she provides. Competence means the ability of the nurse to apply interpersonal, technical and decision-making skills at the level of knowledge consistent with the prevailing standard for the nursing activity being applied. Accountability also includes acknowledgment of personal limitations in knowledge and skills, and communicating the need for specialized instruction prior to providing any nursing activity.

Regardless whether the Board has issued an opinion determining that a specific activity is "within" the nursing scope of practice, a licensed nurse is accountable to be competent for all nursing care that he/she provides. Individual competency varies among nurses; when a nurse does not personally have the competence to perform an activity, such activity is "outside the scope" of practice for that nurse.

[DeborahK]

I don't know about the legalities of your scope of practice, but at the hospital where I work, only the midwives and doctors insert IUPCs and FSEs. However, the technical skill is not difficult to learn, if you are permitted to do it by your scope of practice.

[melmarie23, MSN, RN]

our hospital policy is that only the MDs/CNMs can place the IUPC.

[MomBabyUnitRN]

Our BON in Idaho states we can place IUPC's, however, the facility where I work only allows MD/CNM to place them. We can place FSE's per protocol.

[DeliveryRN2007]

In Oklahoma, MDs place the IUPCs. Personally, I am thankful for that! :) I don't mind the FSEs at all but I'd be too scared that I would perforate the uterus

[88nurse2010]

Where I work in MO, nurses can place FSE's and IUPC's. They have to be signed off on IUPC placement by a MD though, but other credentialed nurses can sign off on FSE's.

[braydonsmomma]

Do nurses in your unit insert IUPC?

is it within scope of practice for a nurse to insert IUPC or FSE. If anyone has supporting documentation or link from licensing board, please post.

Thanks.

I to, am in Oklahoma and we place IUPC's regularly.

[babyktchr, BSN, RN]

For those of you who can place IUPC's and/or FSE's.....what kind of competency do you complete before being on your own placing these things? Is this a yearly competency or more/less frequent. I am just interested.

[MomBabyUnitRN]

For those of you who can place IUPC's and/or FSE's.....what kind of competency do you complete before being on your own placing these things? Is this a yearly competency or more/less frequent. I am just interested.

We passed off when we took an AWHONN course. It was a one time thing only.

[babyktchr, BSN, RN]

Wow. Interesting.

[shortstuff31117]

At my facility, we place both IUPCs and FSEs. Our policy also states that we may rupture membranes in order to place an FSE - in an emergent situation. We usually make the decision as to whether we would like to place an IUPC or FSE as well.

We don't have any kind of competency for either.