What care can be delegated to unlicensed healthcare workers on a medical-surgical unit?

Delegating tasks to unlicensed healthcare workers (UHCWs) is a crucial aspect of ensuring effective teamwork and efficient patient care on a medical-surgical unit. Performing a bed bath for a client on bed rest is a skill that can be safely delegated to UHCWs. This task involves basic hygiene and comfort measures that do not require advanced clinical judgment or assessment skills. UHCWs are trained to perform these types of tasks, which allow licensed staff to focus on more complex patient needs.

In contrast, conducting patient assessments requires a licensed professional who can interpret findings and make critical decisions based on clinical knowledge and expertise. Similarly, changing medication dosages falls under the realm of nursing responsibilities, as it involves understanding the patient's condition and the implications of medications. Health education sessions also necessitate specialized knowledge and the ability to assess the effectiveness of the teaching, making it inappropriate for delegation to UHCWs. Delegating appropriately improves team efficiency and supports high-quality patient care while ensuring that critical tasks are completed by those with the required training.