Nurse Delegation

Rights of delegation

Description

Questions to Ask

Right Task

One that can be delegated for a specific patient

• Is it appropriate to delegate based on legal and agency factors
• Has the person been trained and evaluated in performing the task?
• Is the person able and willing to do this specific task?

Right Circumstances

Appropriate patient setting, available resources, and considering relevant factors, including patient stability

• What are the patient’s needs right now?
• Is staffing such that the circumstances support delegation strategies?

Right Person

Right person is delegating the right task to the right person to be performed on the right person

• Is the prospective delegate a willing and able employee
• Are the patient needs a “fit” with the delegatee?

Right Directions and Communication

Clear, concise description of task, including its objective, limits, and expectations

• Have you clearly communicated the task? With directions, limits, an expected outcome?
• Does the delegatee know what and when to report? Does the delegatee understand what needs to be done?

Right Supervision and Evaluation

Appropriate monitoring, evaluation, intervention, and feedback

• Do you know how and when you will interact about patient care with the delegate?
• How often will you need to provide direct observation?
• Will you be able to give feedback to the staff member if needed?