While it is most directly useful for policymakers and health professionals in laying out pros and cons for various types of delegation, consumers and advocates could glean practical information about these important issues. This report includes highlights of a symposium on delegation, an overview of pertinent legal and regulatory issues, the findings of a State Board of Nursing survey, and position statements on nurse delegation from advocacy and professional organizations. Each state s Nurse Practice Act defines the state s scope of nursing practice, including the policy on delegation. State boards of nursing issue regulations and enforce the Act. Generally reflecting public safety concerns, these Acts were not originally conceived with consumer direction and delegation in mind, although most acts at least refer to delegation.
Some states define delegation and specify guidelines, procedures, and nurse responsibilities.
The well-being of personal assistants and consumers is interdependent, yet personal assistants face inadequate training, low pay, lack of career path, pressure to perform activities for which they have no training, liability, and other challenges. At the same time, ways to increase personal assistants accountability are needed Nursing professionals must learn to train consumers and families in performing or overseeing services Clarify liability issues and develop clear evaluation, training, and task delegation protocols Reliable data are needed on delegation, especially concerning costs and health outcomes.