What does your state’s board of nursing have to say about registered nurses, unlicensed assistive personnel, and their respective roles? Describe the responsibilities of the Registered Nurse when delegating patient care tasks.
In terms of the duties given to Unlicensed Assistive Personnel, how does the ICU setting vary from a typical medical-surgical unit?
Overview
The Joint Commission defines handoff communication as a procedure where information concerning patient care is routinely delivered. 1 Handoff communication occurs between clinicians to relay to the designated nurse all pertinent patient-care information. All members of the healthcare staff who are directly involved in patient care should be included in the report.
Handoff communication, which usually takes place face-to-face between physicians, contains details about the patient’s medical and surgical procedures, past medical history, and present clinical state. Other options for report include written, audio, or computerized report. 2 This crucial communication procedure is referred to by a number of words, including handoff, sign-out, signoff, change-of-shift report, and shift report.
UAP reorient and redirect patients with cognitive impairment. UAP give direct care to patients relating to personal hygiene, vital signs, nutrition, ambulation, and toileting, and monitor patients’ blood glucose and cognition.
Nursing students who wish to get patient-care experience and boost their clinical confidence with fundamental skills frequently fill the UAP job. Nursing students serving as UAPs must get reports about the elements of patient care since they are new to the position.
