Balancing freedom with risks: The experience of nursing task delegation incommunity-based residential care settings

Citation
Sk. Sikma et Hm. Young, Balancing freedom with risks: The experience of nursing task delegation incommunity-based residential care settings, NURS OUTL, 49(4), 2001, pp. 193-201
Citations number
24
Categorie Soggetti
Public Health & Health Care Science
Journal title
NURSING OUTLOOK
ISSN journal
00296554 → ACNP
Volume
49
Issue
4
Year of publication
2001
Pages
193 - 201
Database
ISI
SICI code
0029-6554(200107/08)49:4<193:BFWRTE>2.0.ZU;2-E
Abstract
Background: In 1995, Washington State implemented low reforming the state's long-term care system, favoring provision of service in less restrictive, lower-cost settings. Purpose: The purpose was to systematically evaluate one facet of the new la w regarding the implementation of a policy authorizing delegation of design ated nursing tasks by registered nurses in community-based residential care settings. Method: This was a descriptive study driven by the inductive process of gro unded theory. Qualitative data sources included interviews, public forums, document review, and open-ended survey questions to facility operators, nur ses, nursing assistants, and inspectors. Discussion: The study identified an overarching social process, balancing f reedom with risks involving tension at the intersections, which is evident from 3 main perspectives: consumer, professional, and the health care syste m. Conclusions: The study has implications for regulatory consistency, nursing practice and education, collaboration between overlapping providers of ski lled nursing services in residential settings, and subsequent health policy .