No more glucose checks by CNAs/PCTs

[Paws2people]

Let me start off by saying I live in NY. My hospital just told everyone that CNA's/PCT's can no longer do fingersticks. They say that it came from the Board of Health rather than the hospital itself. They didn't explain why it is being enforced, so I was wondering if anyone had any insight as to the reasoning. I asked management, but they themselves didn't know. Thanks to anyone who can shed some light.

[HeartNursing3]

The issue may be quality of collection. If you wipe a patient's finger, stick and collect a sample before allowing the alcohol to dry, the alcohol can cause a false low reading.

If the PCA uses the wrong size BP cuff, the result is going to be wrong. The nurse might pick up on it if the result is too low or too high but if the BP is actually high or low and the wrong cuff size is used, the result could incorrectly show up normal. Should we not let PCAs check blood pressures either?

[LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN]

If the PCA uses the wrong size BP cuff, the result is going to be wrong. The nurse might pick up on it if the result is too low or too high but if the BP is actually high or low and the wrong cuff size is used, the result could incorrectly show up normal. Should we not let PCAs check blood pressures either?

In some facilities, PCAs have been eliminated and all data collection is done by the nurses.

At both of my jobs, I take BPs and glucose, PCAs/techs take care of ADLs.