Delegation Decision-making Tree - Rhode Island

1 Delegation Decision-making TreeThe Delegation Decision-making tree was another tool developed to assist nurses in makingdelegation decisions. Licensed nurses have ultimate accountability for the management and provision ofnursing care, including all Delegation use the Delegation Decision-making tree on the reverse page, start with a specific client, care-giver andnursing activity. Beginning at the top of the tree , ask each question as presented in the box. If you answer no to the question, follow the instructions listed to the right of the box and arrow If you answer yes, proceed to the next box.

2 If you answer yes for any questions, the task is grid can be used:n For nurses making Delegation For staff education regarding For orientation of new staff, both nurse and For nursing education programs providing basic managerial skills for For nursing continuing For Member Boards responding to questions about Delegation (Boards may consider includingthis tool as part of a Delegation information packet).n For orientation of new board members and For Member Board workshops and presentations regarding Delegation For evaluation of discipline complaints involving concerns regarding NOTE.

3 Given that scopes of practice are different from state to state, this tool may need to bealtered to be consistent with the regulations in your Delegation Decision-making tree was adapted from a similar tool previously developed by theOhio Board of Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc/19972 Delegation Decision-making TreeAdapted from the Delegation decision tree developed by the ohio Board of NursingDo not delegateDo not delegateDo not delegateProvide and document educationAssess, then proceed with aconsideration of delegationsDo not delegateProvide and document educationDo not delegateDo not delegateDo not delegateDo not delegateDo not delegateDo not delegateDo not delegateNote: Authority to delegate varies, so licensed nurses must check the jurisdiction s statutes andregulations.

4 RNs may need to delegate to the LPN the authority to delegate to the there laws and rules in place whichsupport the Delegation ?Is the task within the scope of practice ofthe RN/LPN?Is the RN/LPN competent to makedelegation decisions?Has there been assessment of theclient s needs?Is the UAP competent to accept thedelegation?Does the ability of the care-giver matchthe care needs of the client?Can the task be performed withoutrequiring nursing judgment?Are the results of the task reasonablypredictable?Can the task be performed withoutrepeated nursing assessments?Is appropriate supervision available?

5 Can the task be safely performedwithout complex observationsor critical decisions?Can the task be safely performedaccording to exact, unchangingdirections?NOYESYESYESYESYESYE SYESYESYESYESYESNONONONONONONONONONONO