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DELEGATION

Fundamental aspect of managers job;

Transferring a task or procedure to someone else!

BECOMING A MORE URGENT ISSUE IN

NURSING PRACTICE

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Delegation:

Transferring responsibility for the

performance of an activity fromone individual to another while

retaining the accountability for the

outcome (ANA, 1993)

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Supervision:

Providing guidance for the

accomplishment of a task or activity

with direction, periodic inspection of

accomplishmentfunction of

qualification

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WHAT DELEGATION IS NOT

dumping work indiscriminately giving orders

abdicating control or responsibility

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Delegation implies that thesubordinate is given the

authority to do the job, canmake independent decisions,

and has the responsibility for

seeing that the job is done well.

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Delegation involves:

Determination of the task to be

accomplished

Assessment of each persons competency

Amount of decision making needed

Level of supervision available

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SIX PRINCIPLES OF

DELEGATION1. Know yourself and team members

2. Assess strengths, weaknesses, job, situation and

skills3. Understand the state practice act, limitations, and

job descriptions

4. Know the job requirements5. Keep communication clear, complete and constant

6. Evaluate-review what happened/measure results

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FOUR BASIC STEPS:

1. Select a capable person

2. Explain the task and outcomes to occur

3. Give the necessary authority and means for

doing the job

4. Arrange to keep in contact and give

feedback.

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VERBAL AND WRITTEN

INSTRUCTIONS AND/OR

DETAILS

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MAKING THE DECISION TO

DELEGATE: the potential for harm

the complexity of the nursing activity

the required problem solving and innovation

the predictability of the outcome

the extent of client interaction

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RIGHTS!

Right task

Right person

Right communication

Right feedback

CRUCIAL LEGAL ISSUE REMAINS NURSING JUDGMENT

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PITFALLS OF DELEGATION

Managers reluctance to give away

Feeling that need to do it yourself

Lack of confidence in subordinate

Fear of losing authority

Name others!

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Legal Aspects of Delegation

Age old fear of what a nurse can be sued for!

Delegation is part of the nurses role

Nurse assumes responsibility for supervision,

whether physically present or not

Liability if found negligent in the process of

delegating and supervisiong Nursing judgment should not be delegated

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ACCOUNTABILITY

Being obligated to answer for ones

acts, including the act ofsupervision.

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...DUTY AND OBLIGATION

TO ACT IN THE EVENT OF

A BREAKDOWN IN CLIENT

CARE WHEREVER IN THECHAIN THAT BREAKDOWN

OCCURS.

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LEADERS/MANAGERS

SHOULD NEVER ATTEMPTTO

DELEGATE:

Personal accountability

Discipline of employees Recognition and praise/actions associated

with morale and related motivation