My facility has a policy that RNs cannot intubate patients. Can I get in trouble if I intubate a patient whose life is in danger?

Question:

Dear Nancy,

I actually have been an RN for 40 years and am trained in ACLS, PALS and TNCC. My training included endotracheal intubation and I’m proficient in it. I actually have intubated several patients at the ability where I work. However, the ability recently implemented a rule stating that RNs cannot intubate patients. Instead, physicians should use a bag valve mask until someone is accessible to intubate the patient. Will I be in trouble if I intubate a patient whose life is in danger? Even if it saves a life?

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Nancy Brent replies:

Dear Mark,

You didn’t provide the contents of the brand new policy or why it was modified. Have there been any competency problems amongst RNs intubating patients? Has there been a change within the law in your state that only allows certain health care providers to perform intubation? These and other questions may help explain why the brand new policy got here into effect.

Although you will have experience in intubation, in case your institution’s policy prohibits an RN from performing this procedure and also you intubate a patient and even save a patient’s life, you may face disciplinary consequences out of your employer, as much as and including termination. You might also face discipline out of your state board of nursing for a wide range of reasons (e.g., your employer claims you violated policy, intubation shouldn’t be permitted by an RN under state law, otherwise you practice medicine slightly than nursing attributable to your job responsibilities).

It will probably be best to debate this together with your employer so that you simply are clear about the implications of not following the foundations. Similarly, it is feasible to review your state’s Nursing Practice Act and Rules or ask the board’s opinion on intubation and nursing practice in your state.

It is evident that saving lives is crucial consideration each time a nurse is faced with the necessity to offer a treatment or procedure through which she could also be proficient but shouldn’t be “allowed”? do for any reason, facility or condition. This is a difficult dilemma, and in the event you think a selected legal opinion could also be helpful to you, it could be idea to seek the advice of with a nurse practitioner or an attorney in your state who works with nurses and is conversant in nursing practice.

Kind regards,
Nancy