New Ohio Law to Streamline Patient Care, Cut Back on Patient Wait Times

COLUMBUS, Ohio, July 21, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Governor John Kasich signed into law last Friday Senate Bill 110, which allows Advanced Practice Registered Nurses to provide more efficient care for their patients. 

APRNs include Certified Nurse Practitioners, Certified Nurse Midwives, Clinical Nurse Specialists and Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists. Under current law, a prescribing APRN may only authorize a registered nurse to administer medication.  The new law allows other qualified health professionals, such as medical assistants, the ability to administer medications at the direction of the APRN who is physically present.

"This new law removes unnecessary regulatory restrictions on APRN practice that create barriers to access, cause delay in treatment, and contribute to health care inefficiency," said Mary Jane Maloney, Director of OAAPN Government Affairs. 

Because of the new law, APRNs will not have to wait for physicians to delegate medication administration in primary care settings.  This more streamlined process will help cut back on wait times for patients who need medication. 

"Senate Bill 110 creates a more efficient healthcare system, while ensuring the safety of our patients.  It's another step to allowing advanced practice registered nurses to practice to the full extent of their education, training and certification in Ohio," stated Tiffany Bukoffsky, BSN, RN, DEO of Government Relations and Professional Engagement at the Ohio Nurses Association. This new law prohibits the delegation of medication administration to non-nurses in hospital in-patient care units and emergency departments, whether they are within a hospital or freestanding facility.  Additionally, certain medications, such as controlled substances and intravenous medications, can only be delegated to and administered by registered nurses. Patients in these types of settings, being prescribed controlled substances or being given medications intravenously, have a health status that requires pharmaceuticals to be administered by a registered nurse.

"The signing of this bill is another step forward in recognizing that nurse practitioners are key primary care providers in our health care system. Delegation law allows for a stronger team in having full utilization of every individual's skills and abilities to care for our patients. Ultimately, our progress in nursing benefits those for who we care: the citizens of Ohio," stated Sen. Dave Burke (R-MARYSVILLE), the bill's sponsor. 

Senate Bill 110 will go into effect October 14, 2015.

About ONA:  Founded in 1904 to help secure the Ohio Nurse Practice Act, ONA is a member-driven association representing the voice of all professional nurses in Ohio. ONA is affiliated with the American Nurses Association and American Federation of Teachers: Nurses and Health Professionals. To learn more, visit www.ohnurses.org.

About OAAPN:  The Ohio Association of Advanced Practices Nurses (OAAPN) is the unified voice of more than 11,000 Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) in the state of Ohio, which includes Certified Registered Nurse Practitioners (CRNPs), Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNSs), Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs), and Certified Nurse Midwives (CNMs). OAAPN focuses on providing its APRN members with the education, communication and collaboration to advance healthcare and its profession. For more information, visit www.OAAPN.org .

SOURCE Ohio Nurses Association

Related Links

http://www.ohnurses.org