New Advisory Opinions: Nursing Telehealth and Opioid Overdose

New Advisory Opinions: Nursing Telehealth and Opioid Overdose

What is an advisory opinion?

The Nursing Commission may issue advisory opinions in response to questions put to it by professional health associations, nursing practitioners and consumers concerning the authority of various categories of nursing personnel to perform particular acts. The opinion is advisory and intended for guidance only. An advisory opinion is not legally binding and does not have the force and effect of a duly promulgated regulation or a declaratory ruling by the Nursing Commission.

The Nursing Commission recently approved new advisory opinions titled, Nursing Telehealth Practice – RN, LPN, NT, and NA and Telehealth Advanced Practice Nursing Care Services

The use of telehealth technology is becoming more and more an integral component of nursing services. The Nursing Telehealth Practice: Registered Nurse, Licensed Practical Nurse, Nursing Technician, and Nursing Assistant and the Telehealth Advanced Practice Nursing Care Services advisory opinions are broad statements on nursing telehealth practice, the new telemedicine training requirements, and recommendations for safe nursing practice.

The Nursing Commission recently revised the Prevention and Treatment of Opioid Overdoses Advisory Opinion. This was done in order to ensure consistency with opioid-related laws and rules and includes information on the state-wide standing orders issued by the Washington State Department of Health. The commission supports prescribing an opioid reversal drug to all persons at risk for opioid complications or overdose. The commission encourages nurses to incorporate overdose prevention into their daily practice using the nursing process/care planning. The revision includes information related to scope of practice for the advanced registered nurse practitioner, registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, nursing technician, and nursing assistant.

You may review additional Nursing Commission advisory opinions on our Practice web page.

 

Questions?

Contact:

Laura Hofmann, MSN, RN – Director of Clinical and Nursing Facility Regulatory Services
c: 425-231-4804

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March 24, 2021