The revisions made by HB3739 primarily affect how nursing delegation operates in clinical and healthcare settings. By permitting registered nurses to delegate certain tasks to unlicensed personnel, the bill aims to enhance healthcare delivery and optimize nursing resources. However, it imposes restrictions, prohibiting registered nurses from delegating tasks that necessitate nursing assessment and judgment to unlicensed personnel, including tasks like medication administration. This creates a structured delegation framework intended to promote patient safety and the quality of care provided.
House Bill 3739 amends the Nurse Practice Act in Illinois, defining registered professional nursing practice as a scientific process grounded in professional knowledge. The bill emphasizes the significance of knowledge, judgment, and skills obtained through a professional nursing education program, underscoring that nursing encompasses a comprehensive understanding of the human condition across various stages of life and environmental contexts. A key aspect of the bill is the provision allowing registered professional nurses to delegate nursing tasks and interventions based on a thorough nursing assessment, which takes into account factors like patient stability and complexity of the tasks.
Notably, there may be some contention surrounding the removal of provisions related to the delegation of nursing interventions in community-based or in-home care settings. Critics argue that this may negatively impact care delivery in these environments. Proponents of the bill, however, assert that the changes are essential to ensure that nursing practices remain within the nursing profession's scope, preserving the essence of patient safety. In essence, the ongoing discussions about HB3739 reflect a balancing act between expanding nursing roles and maintaining high standards of patient care.