Advisory Opinion Revision

Delegation of Blood Glucose Monitoring to Nursing Assistants or Home Care Aides in Community-Based Settings

The revision to the advisory opinion clarifies the scope of practice for Registered Nurse delegation of blood glucose monitoring in community-based settings. The nursing law and rule require the Nursing Assistant or Home Care Aide to complete the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) Diabetes Course prior to delegation of insulin administration.

The revision recommends and encourages the Nursing Assistant or Home Care Aide to take the Diabetes Course, but clarifies that the Registered Nurse Delegator may delegate to a Nursing Assistant or Home Care Aide to perform blood glucose monitoring, without completion of the course, if the Nursing Assistant or Home Care Aide is not administering injectable insulin or non/insulin for treatment of diabetes.

For questions and comments, please email NursingPractice@doh.wa.gov.

Laura Hofmann, MSN, RN
Director of Clinical and Nursing Facility Regulatory Services
LeadingAge Washington | c: 360.691-9281