chapter 9
Delegation of Client Care
OBJECTIVES
After reading this chapter, the student should be able to:
■Define the term delegation.
■Define the term unlicensed assistive personnel.
■Understand the legal implications of making assignments to
other health-care personnel.
■Recognize barriers to successful delegation.
■Make appropriate assignments to team members.
■Explain the various nursing care delivery models.
OUTLINE
Introduction to Delegation
Definition of Delegation
Supervision
The Nursing Process and Delegation
Coordinating Assignments
The Need for Delegation
Safe Delegation
Criteria for Delegation
Task-Related Concerns
Abilities
Priorities
Efficiency
Appropriateness
Relationship-Oriented Concerns
Fairness
Learning Opportunities
Health
Compatibility
Staff Preferences
Barriers to Delegation
Experience Issues
Licensure Issues
Legal Issues and Delegation
Quality-of-Care Issues
Assigning Work to Others
Models of Care Delivery
Functional Nursing
Team Nursing
Total Client Care
Primary Nursing
Conclusion115