As an RN, can I delegate to our unlicensed staff a CPAP or BiPAP procedure?
In January of 2012, the Texas Board of Nursing (BON) approved noninvasive ventilation (NIV), such as continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and bilevel positive airway pressure (BiPAP) therapy as additional tasks that RNs may determine are safe and appropriate to delegate in accordance with Chapter 225, RN Delegation to Unlicensed Personnel and Tasks not Requiring Delegation in Independent Living Environments for Clients with Stable and Predictable Conditions. The tasks RNs may decide to delegate are listed in Rule 225.10; and specifically, Rule 225.10 (13) now permits RNs to delegate NIV procedures to unlicensed personnel.
The BON is aware that in independent living environments the use of NIV has increased for the treatment of numerous chronic respiratory disorders, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, sleep apnea and cystic fibrosis. In order for clients to achieve optimal health benefits in the least restrictive environments as possible, RNs may use the delegation process in collaboration with the client or the client’s responsible adult (CRA) to decide if NIV procedures are safe to delegate in home settings.
RNs are responsible for adequately and accurately assessing the needs of clients in order to ensure their safety in these settings. The delegation process can assist RNs to make decisions as to how unlicensed personnel will be utilized to accomplish safe and effective supportive services and care.