Can a nurse delegate tasks to home care caregivers in Idaho?

Yes. Idaho lets a licensed nurse delegate nursing tasks to unlicensed assistive personnel in any practice setting. For medications, the caregiver must finish a Board-approved course, and an RN must write a plan of care. Delegated medication help can include oral and topical medicines, drops, nebulizers, suppositories and gastric tube medications. The rule does not mention injections or insulin.

What conditions apply?

• Before delegating, the nurse assesses the patient's status and stability and confirms the caregiver is trained and currently competent
• The nursing tasks that may be delegated must be stated in writing in the practice setting
• For medications, the caregiver must complete a Board-approved training program, an RN must develop a plan of care, and a licensed nurse must delegate the task
• Medication help may include breaking or crushing tablets, eye, ear and nose drops, pre-mixed nebulizers, medications through a gastric (not nasogastric) tube, oral and topical medications, and suppositories
• No tasks needing nursing assessment, care planning, teaching or nursing judgment; caregivers cannot redelegate
• The nurse decides the level of supervision based on the patient's stability and the task's complexity

What is the difference between medication reminders and administration?

Reminding a client to take their medicine, or handing them a container they open themselves, is usually treated as assistance. Giving the medicine, such as placing pills in the mouth, giving an injection or crushing tablets, is administration and generally needs a license or nurse delegation. Check your state's rule and the client's care plan.

What should you confirm with the state?

Idaho's rule does not say whether insulin injections can be delegated; confirm with the Idaho Board of Nursing.