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Question
Can the licensed practical nurse perform a hospital, residential treatment facility, or skilled nursing facility (SNF) admission assessment?
Answer

Different types of assessments, such as “initial”, “admission”, or “event-focused” assessment, are not defined in the nursing law and rules. These terms are often used by health care agencies to describe different types of assessment. Other examples include post-fall and pre-transfer assessments. The nursing laws and rules do not prohibit the competent and appropriately trained licensed practical nurse from initiating the admission of a patient to a hospital or SNF. Agency policy based on statutes and regulations, standards of care, accreditation standards, and reimbursement requirements may stipulate who can perform a specific assessment in different practice settings. The licensed practical nurse may contribute to the patient assessment in a hospital, SNF, or other health care facility under the direction of an authorized health care practitioner or under the direction and supervision of the registered nurse. Joint Commission Nursing Assessment standards require the registered nurse to perform the nursing assessment within twenty-four hours after admission to a hospital. The licensed practical nurse may collect the data and then have the registered nurse review the data and complete the assessment to determine the patient' needs and developing the nursing care plan. It is not within the scope of practice of the licensed practical nurse to perform an assessment by proxy.

FAQ Category
Nursing Process