I am a LPN in illinois, recently terminated from my job in a nursing home there reason was I was out of the scope of my practice by Hanging a ATB bag on a patient with a infusa port the hubber needle and tubing already in place.  I am IV certified through the nursing home and according to our policy and procedure handbook it states that this is something i am able to do and have done it in the past as well as other LPN.  THere was no RN coverage for that day i was just thinking of my patient.  Does anyone have some advice for me.  And who responsiblility is it if the nurse practice act changes is it your employeer or You.  Please help this has hurt my pride i am a Good nurse and work my butt off for them.  I don't know where to turn to.

Desperate LPN

What does your job duties or policy on Lpn's say?I would ask for  a specific reason as this was the practise.I can't imagine working at an ecf and not being able to hang an ivab on a pt w/ an accessed port.I would def check in to it further.Good luck and god bless!!

Tuesday, October 26th, 2010...1:12 pm
Important Notice Regarding the Administration of IV Medication by LPN’s
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The Illinois Nurse Practice Act does not directly or specifically reference LPN’s providing IV Therapy; however, the existing rules do provide some guidance as to the LPN providing some types of IV Therapy. The Department of Professional Regulation has realized that there has been some recent confusion regarding this issue and has published so on its website, www.idfpr.com. Note that the Nurse Practice Act was recently amended and as such the Rules governing the licensure and regulation of the practice of nursing are being revised to reflect these changes to the Act and existing policy and practices. You should periodically check the Department’s website to ensure that you have current information.

While the Act does not have direct references to the provision of IV Therapy by a LPN, it does reference the LPN implementing plan of care as delegated. Further, matters relating to the scope of the LPN’s practice are often dictated based upon the licensee’s education, training and experience: however, this scope is not to be read as allowing all types of procedures or practices. The Department of Professional Regulation generally views matters on a case by case basis to determine compliance.

Applying these above referenced principles, to the LPN who possesses the proper education, training and experience may in fact administer antibiotic medications through a peripheral IV line via IV piggyback for a continuous infusion of fluids, with or without medications, through an IV access device. A peripheral IV line is defined as a short catheter inserted through the skin into a peripheral vein. Antibiotics may also be administered through peripheral access for intermittent infusions. The medication should be premeasurered and prepacked. Also, as has been past practice, the administration of chemotherapeutic agents via intravenous routes, starting or adding blood or blood components, administration of medications via intravenous push and adding medication to existing intravenous infusions, including heparin in heparin locks, is not allowed.

Written by: James “Jim” B. Goldberg