The California Board of Registered Nursing has released proposed regulations for two new categories of nurse practitioners with expanded scope of practice and independent authority. In order to qualify for the expanded scope, NPs would have to complete 4600 hours of clinical practice in direct patient care in the category in which the NP seeks certification. Written comments on the proposed regulations are being accepted through November 1 prior to adoption of the regulations.
October 05, 2022
September 28, 2022
US House considers Improving Care and Access to Nurses (ICAN) Act
The Improving Care and Access to Nurses Act under consideration in the US House would reduce barriers to practice for nurse practitioners and advanced practice registered nurses, authorizing NPs to "order and supervise cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation, certify when patients with diabetes need therapeutic shoes, have their patients fully included in the beneficiary attribution process for the Medicare Shared Savings Program, refer patients for medical nutrition therapy, certify and recertify a patient's terminal illness for hospice eligibility, perform all mandatory examinations in skilled nursing facilities, and more." The American Association of Nurse Practitioners supports the legislation.
August 24, 2022
Overview of expanded pharmacist scope of practice
This article provides details of nine states that have expanded scope of practice for pharmacists, including analysis of which authorities granted during the pandemic have been retained. A highlighted example is California's advanced practice license, which allows pharmacists independent authority to initiate, adjust and modify drug therapy without collaborative practice agreements for pharmacists who complete advanced training.
Canada appoints chief nursing officer
Reinstating a position that was eliminated in 2012, Canada's federal government has appointed a national chief nursing officer. The role will "provide strategic advice from a nursing perspective to Health Canada on priority policy and program areas, including health workforce planning, long-term care, home care, palliative care, mental health, alcohol and drug use, as well as input on models of care and scope of practice and competencies." Concerns have been raised about the nationwide shortage of nurses, temporary closures of departments and services, and the strain on the healthcare system.
August 10, 2022
Iowa Board of Pharmacy amends technician supervision
As a continuation of practices initiated during the pandemic public health emergency, the Iowa Board of Pharmacy has adopted rules allowing a pharmacist to delegate technical functions of prescription processing to a technician at a location other than where the pharmacist is physically located. The supervising pharmacist will still have access to the system an records being used, and the technician will have real-time communication access to the pharmacist.
July 27, 2022
UK: guidance on who can issue fit notes
The UK government has released guidance for healthcare professionals and their employers on who can issue statements of fitness for work, or fit notes. Until July 2022, only doctors were legally permitted to certify fit notes. Now, nurses, occupational therapists, pharmacists, and physiotherapists are permitted to certify fit notes, taking into consideration their own scope of practice, skills, knowledge, and experience before doing so. "Enabling a wider range of HCPs to certify fit notes offers benefits for patients and the healthcare system and better recognises innovations in using a multi-disciplinary workforce to support patients. These HCPs can engage more directly with patients on matters of work and health without having to re-route requests to certify fit notes through doctors."
July 13, 2022
Survey indicates support for expanded NP scope of practice
A survey by the Alliance for Connected Care indicates that 82% of patients and almost 80% of healthcare providers support expanding nurse practitioner scope of practice to include the full extent of their education and clinical training. Twenty-six states currently have full practice authority for NPs.
The survey also indicates that 91% of healthcare providers agree that telehealth options should continue post-pandemic, with accessibility and flexibility noted as key drivers.
June 22, 2022
Colorado: expanded scope for optometrists
New legislation in Colorado expands optometrists' scope of practice to include some office-based surgical procedures. The expanded scope includes injections for treating certain eye conditions, administering anesthesia and removal of non-complicated eyelid lesions, simple repair of eyelid lacerations, and certain laser procedures.
June 15, 2022
Illinois: expanded scope for interior designers
Newly signed legislation in Illinois recognizes interior design as a distinct profession in the built environment and expands the scope of practice of interior designers to include permitting privileges to stamp and seal plans.
June 01, 2022
New York: expanded scope for nurse practitioners
A new law in New York permanently expands scope of practice for nurse practitioners and grants full practice authority without the need for physician oversight requirements if NPs have over 3,600 practice hours in primary care services.
