Can You Delegate a Task Without Jeopardizing the Patient's Safety?

Nursing Management

by: Xandy Jaraba

 

In dealing with management problems today, nurse leaders continue to use some previous principles. Since the first management research, advocates have discovered much about human behavior; furthermore society has modified extremely, offering current management advocates with new ideas and difficulties. However, even these days one of the most important features for the manager remains that of being an efficient totalitarian. This means as a manager, it is wise always to follow the management process. This consists of achieving organizational objectives through planning, organizing, directing, staffing and controlling.

Each management operate has a preparing and managing stage. The conventional, or traditional, management technology is targeted on development in the workplace and on delineating business limitations to efficiency. The workers were believed to be inspired completely by financial benefits, and little attention was given to employee job fulfillment. The era of management technology increased out of the Hawthorne studies, which highlighted the needs of the employee for identification. Concepts of participatory and humanistic management appeared during these times. Features are not obvious cut and that management is sometimes combined with leadership roles. So, to be an effective leader you need to learn how to be an effective manager.

One of the important highlights about the management process is delegation which is also known as directing. Let's talk about delegation. Delegation is basically assigning orders and instructions. In other words, delegation is getting the work done through people. Yet in the reality, it’s not that simple at all. It must be objective and goal-oriented. There is simultaneous division of labor. Hence, you as a nurse leader need to direct others to perform and achieve goals.

Moreover about delegation is the responsibility and authority for the task. Both can be transferred to another but not the accountability. The responsibility is to do and accomplish the task. Like in the team, there is somebody who is assigned to do vital signs taking and follow-up meds. That will be the person’s responsibility. On the other hand, the accountability refers when a person accepts ownership of the results. Ever heard of the doctrine of “respondeat superior”? It is when the manager or leader is held liable for the act of his employees. Thus, the accountability remains to the nurse leader or manager. Although in some instances, it can be shared because you cannot just blame the one without the other.

So what are the frequent mistakes why delegation fails? They usually happen when there will be under delegation, over delegation and improper delegation. You need to consider the viewpoint of each professional health levels. Selection requires place throughout the management procedure and is one of the most crucial functions of management. 

So, how can you delegate tasks without jeopardizing the patient’s safety? When you’re thinking about delegation, you need to know what can and cannot be done. There are principles you need to understand. It might be the rules you need to follow. These are the RIGHTS of delegation. The right tasks, person, communication, feedback, supervision and time.

The right task usually falls in the manager's discretion and judgment if the task is, can be done. You have to check the task if it is easy, moderate or difficult to do. Second, the right person must be fittingly chosen. He/she must have the ability and quality to perform and accomplish task based on his/ her level of competency. It is important to take note the nursing roles of each members of the team. To the licensed practical nurses or vocational nurses, you cannot delegate complex task that requires assessment, evaluation and calculations. Third, the right communication requires better communication skills in order to give brief, concise and clear instructions or orders. Ask for any clarifications to know if he/she understands. Learn to speak moderately, do not talk fast. Limit the use of unnecessary gestures, it may lead to misinterpretations. Fourth is the right feedback. This means you need to give remarks and observations. It must be a constructive criticism. This will develop their self-esteem to become better in accomplishing task. Fifth, the right supervision refers to your major responsibility to monitor your people, to keep them on the track, and to check everybody’s work. Lastly, ensure right timing. 

Remember as a nurse leader you work in the interdisciplinary team. These rights will help you so that you can delegate tasks efficiently without jeopardizing the patient’s safety.

Courtesy to google.com for the pictures.