WAC 246-840-970   Accountability, liability, and coercion.  (1) The registered nurse delegator and nursing assistant are accountable for their own individual actions in the delegation process. While the delegated task becomes the responsibility of the nursing assistant, the registered nurse delegator retains overall accountability for the nursing care of the patient.

     (2) Under RCW 18.79.260 (3)(d)(iv), delegating nurses acting within their delegation authority shall be immune from liability for any action performed in the course of their delegation duties.

     (3) Under RCW 18.88A.230(1), nursing assistants following written delegation instructions from registered nurse delegators for delegated tasks shall be immune from liability.

     (4) Complaints regarding delegation of nursing tasks may be reported to the aging and adult services administration of the department of social and health services or via a toll-free telephone number.

     (5) All complaints related to registered nurse delegators shall be referred to the nursing care quality assurance commission.

     (6) All complaints related to nursing assistants performing delegated tasks shall be referred to the secretary of health.

     (7) Under RCW 18.79.260 (3)(c), no person may coerce the registered nurse delegator into compromising patient safety by requiring the nurse to delegate if the registered nurse delegator determines it is inappropriate to do so. Registered nurse delegators shall not be subject to any employer reprisal or disciplinary action by the Washington nursing care quality assurance commission for refusing to delegate tasks or refusing to provide the required training for delegation if the nurse determines delegation may compromise patient safety.

     (8) Under RCW 18.88A.230(2), nursing assistants shall not be subject to any employer reprisal or disciplinary action by the secretary for refusing to accept delegation of a nursing task based on patient safety issues.



[Statutory Authority: RCW 18.79.110, 18.79.260, 18.88A060 [18.88A.060], and 18.88A.210. 09-06-006, § 246-840-970, filed 2/18/09, effective 3/21/09. Statutory Authority: Chapters 18.79 and 18.88A RCW. 02-02-047, § 246-840-970, filed 12/27/01, effective 1/27/02. Statutory Authority: Chapter 18.79 RCW. 96-05-060, § 246-840-970, filed 2/19/96, effective 3/21/96.]