Is it within the scope of the LPN license in the state of MA to start IVs?

[BethanyMcCassie]

Is it within the scope of the LPN license in the state of MA to start IVs?

[kkostelnikPN]

Is it within the scope of the LPN license in the state of MA to start IVs?

I was told for my boards that I took 2 weeks ago LPNs are only aloud to monitor fluids already infusing and hang IVPB

[jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B]

You can take a certification to start IV's. But whether your place of employment will allow you to or not varies. I am a part of a busy IV team as an LPN.

[dragon_lady]

I am a newly LPN and ill be having my IV therapy/Blood withdrawal course starting on Feb 2.In California,we have to take the course to insert an IV,and to make blood draw.It has 30 hours of CE too.

[Jrow]

Per the MA BON:

Licensed Practical Nurse practice may include: peripheral intravenous device insertion and removal; use of adjunct aids such as ultrasound for vein identification and selection; use of an existing intravenous or other infusion device for the administration of medication, hydration, nutrition, blood products, or obtaining a blood sample; monitoring the patient; and maintenance of the infusion site.

Infusion therapy may be performed by licensed nurses only under the following requirements.

The licensed nurse must:

Assume only those responsibilities for which he/she has education, experience and clinical competency to perform, and which are in compliance with established institutional/agency policy and procedures.

Possess initial and ongoing competence related to the following as evidenced by documented completion of continuing education programs, employing agency education programs, and/or certification:

Patient assessment;

Site selection;

Device placement;

Site care and maintenance;

Infusion equipment and add-on devices;

Infection control, safe handling and hazardous materials;

Fluid, electrolyte and medication administration; and

Indications, contraindications and complications.

Possess initial and ongoing competence when incorporating the use of adjunct aids such as ultrasound for vein identification and selection, as evidenced by documented completion of continuing education programs, employing agency education programs, and/or certification;

Ensure documentation is complete, accurate and legible in all records required by federal and state law; and

Administer only those infusion solutions the licensed nurse procures, removes from the sealed container and prepares. The licensed nurse is unable to verify that a solution that has been removed from its outer sealed container by another is the "right" drug, consistent with the "Five Rights" of medication safety.

However:

During an emergency situation, in an operating room or treatment room, licensed nurses working in the same room, at the same time, attending to the same patient may prepare an infusion solution together for immediate administration to a patient. At a minimum, both are responsible for communicating to each other regarding the medication order, validating the integrity of the medication, dosing pursuant to the administration order, and documentation, in accordance with the policies of the organization.

The licensed nurse may administer infusion solutions that have, by organizational policies, been prepared in an area designed for admixture (e.g., when pharmacy compounds a sterile IV admixture under a laminar-airflow hood in a cleanroom) which have been labeled, repackaged, and resealed in the admixture area.

To ensure safe IV admixture, some medications may require the solution, once mixed, be spiked and primed at the time of compounding before being placed in a sealed, appropriately labeled with verifiable contents.

Solutions infusing at the time responsibility for the care of a patient is transferred from one licensed nurse to another may continue to infuse.

Professional Standards and references include, but are not limited to the following:

Infusion Nurses Society (INS) http://www.ins1.org

Association for Vascular Access (AVA) http://www.avainfo.org

[BethanyMcCassie]

Yes. LPNs, in MA anyway, can insert IVs if certified, but we can't push meds in emergency situations or mix meds to hang. They have to be pre mixes by the pharmacy or RN.

[BethanyMcCassie]

Thanks for posting that quote from the licensure. It cleared it up.

[BethanyMcCassie]

Do you have any idea where certification is offered?