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

Yes. Wisconsin lets RNs delegate nursing tasks, including medication administration, to trained unlicensed assistive personnel aged 18 or older, as long as the RN supervises and evaluates the work. Under Medicaid, a home health aide can help with an adult client's medications only when the plan of care names the delegating RN. No Wisconsin rule addresses insulin in home care specifically.

What conditions apply?

• An RN may delegate nursing acts to unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) who have the appropriate education and documented training; a UAP must be at least 18 if the task is medication administration
• The RN must delegate only tasks that match the person's training and demonstrated abilities, give direction and assistance, observe and monitor, and evaluate results
• Medicaid home health aides may assist with a recipient's medications only if the client is 18 or older and the written plan of care names the delegating RN; medication administration by a personal care worker, or by an aide without RN delegation under DHS 133, is not a covered home health service
• Medicaid personal care workers act under a written RN plan of care built from a home visit, with RN supervisory review in the home at least every 60 days
• Under licensed home health agency rules, aides assist patients with self-administration of medications on written RN assignments updated at least every 60 days

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.