IUPC scope of practice

Specialties Ob/Gyn

Published

I was wondering if any one knew if IUPC insertions was within the scope of practice of RNs or where I could find the answer?

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Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.

It's not where I work (AZ). I don't know if it's a hospital thing, or a state BON thing.

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

It IS within the scope where I practice, in Washington State and it was in Oklahoma where I used to live. I believe It does go state by state and hospital by hospital. I am not sure where you find a general policy on RN scope for placement of IUPC but it would seem to me, AWHONN would be a good start.

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Specializes in L&D,Wound Care, SNC.

It is not where I work.

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Specializes in Nurse Manager, Labor and Delivery.

It is a board of nursing issue state to state. Thankfully it isn't within scope of practice in my state, because no matter how much training there is , why oh why can't a physician or midwife do that? Holy cow, soon we won't need to have providers because the nurse will be able to do EVERYTHING!!! There is way too much liability in placing that IUPC...I have enough on my plate than to do that. But that is just my opinion.

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Specializes in med/surg, tele, OB.

I am in OH and we put in IUPC's.

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Specializes in ER/MIU/L&D.

I have worked in two different hospital's L&D's in Ohio and we could not place IUPCs in either one.

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Specializes in Cardiac.

The hospital I work at in Ohio,RN's do not place them.

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Specializes in L&D.

Check with your state Nurse Practice Act. AWHONN teaches IUPC placement in the Intermediate Fetal Monitoring class, so AWHONN does consider it to the OK for nurses to place them.

There are 3 states whose Nurse Practice Act does not allow it. AZ is one. I think Delaware is another, and forget the third. Even if your state NPA allows it, some hospitals don't.

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Specializes in L&D.

I've worked in 2 hospitals in California. At one hospital RNs could insert IUPC's (smaller community hospital - 300 births monthly). In the hospital I'm currently at, the MDs do it.

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Specializes in PreOp/PACU.

According to the AZ BON, it is now within the RN scope of practice to place an IUPC, so long as they are trained and validated in the skill and their facility permits. 

https://www.azbn.gov/sites/default/files/advisory-opinions/new/AO Intrauterine Pressure Catheters rev.07.2019.pdf

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