A systematic review of the effectiveness of delegation interventions by the registered nurse to the unlicensed assistive personnel and their impact on quality of care, patient satisfaction, and RN staff satisfaction.

Abstract

Review questions/objectives The objective of this systematic review is to synthesise the best available evidence on the impact of the effectiveness of delegation interventions by the registered nurse (RN) to the unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) and their impact on quality of care, patient satisfaction, and RN staff satisfaction. Inclusion criteria Types of participants The review will consider studies that include RNs and unlicensed assistive personnel in any patient care setting where delegation by the RN to the UAP occurs. For the purposes of this systematic review we will use the following definitions: Registered nurse: A person that has graduated from a nursing program and has been licensed to practice. Unlicensed assistive personnel: Persons that are in a position to assist the RN under the registered nurse’s direct supervision. Activities are generally restricted to patient care activities delegated to them by the RN based on the nursing process. Types of interventions This review will consider studies that evaluate the effectiveness of delegation interventions by the RN to the UAP and their impact on quality of care, patient satisfaction, and RN staff satisfaction. For the purposes of this systematic review we will use the following definition: RN-UAP delegation: “Entrusting the performance of a selected nursing task to an individual who is qualified, competent, and able to perform such tasks. The nurse retains the accountability for the total nursing care of the individual”. Comparator The comparator is to that of usual nursing cares delivery. Types of outcomes The outcomes to be examined are quality of care, patient satisfaction, and RN staff satisfaction measured by validated and reliable tools. Validated and reliable measurement tools are considered measurement tools that have been previously tested and found to have acceptable psychometric properties. TRUNCATED AT 350 WORDS