<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".03" citation="COMAR 10.27.10.03" title_num="10" subtitle_num="27" chapter_num="10" heading="Standards of Professional Performance.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>Quality of Care.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The LPN shall participate in evaluating the quality and effectiveness of nursing practice.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Measurement Criteria. The LPN shall:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Assist in collecting quality data; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Participate in activities related to implementing changes designed to improve care.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>Performance Appraisal.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The LPN shall be accountable for evaluating the LPN’s own nursing practice on a regular basis in relation to:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Relevant professional practice standards; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Relevant statutes and regulations governing licensed practical nursing.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Measurement Criteria.</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>The LPN shall:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Participate in peer review as appropriate; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>As necessary, seek guidance, support, education, and supervision.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>The LPN shall demonstrate knowledge of and comply with:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Relevant professional practice standards;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Relevant statutes and regulations governing licensed practical nursing; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iii)">
          <text>The policies and procedures of the practice setting.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>Education.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The LPN shall acquire and maintain current knowledge and continued competency in the practice of licensed practical nursing.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Measurement Criteria. The LPN shall:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Participate in educational opportunities and experiences to maintain professional competence; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Obtain knowledge and skills appropriate to the practice setting.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>Collegiality.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The LPN shall support the professional development of the:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Licensed practical nurse;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Certified nursing assistant;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Certified medication technician; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Unlicensed personnel.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Measurement Criteria.</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>As directed by the RN, the LPN shall share knowledge and skills with:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Other LPNs;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Certified nursing assistants;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iii)">
          <text>Certified medication technicians; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iv)">
          <text>Unlicensed personnel.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>The LPN shall contribute to a supportive and healthy work environment.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>Ethics.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The licensed practical nurse’s decisions and actions shall reflect ethical principles.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Measurement Criteria. The LPN shall:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Comply with the Code of Ethics as described in COMAR 10.27.19;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Maintain client confidentiality within legal and regulatory standards;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Act as a client advocate;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Deliver care in a nonjudgmental and nondiscriminatory manner that is sensitive to client diversity;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(e)">
        <text>Deliver care in a manner that preserves the client’s;</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Autonomy;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Dignity; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iii)">
          <text>Rights;</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(f)">
        <text>Communicate with the RN regarding potential ethical issues; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(g)">
        <text>Communicate to the RN, observations of actions by other health care providers which may jeopardize the client’s safety and well being.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="F.">
    <text>Collaboration.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The LPN shall participate with the client, the client’s family, significant others, the RN, and other health care providers in providing care.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Measurement Criteria. The LPN shall:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Participate with the client, the client’s family, significant others, the RN, and other health care providers by contributing to:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>The development of overall goals;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>The nursing plan of care; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iii)">
          <text>Decisions related to care and the delivery of services; and</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Consult with the RN and other health care providers regarding client care.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="G.">
    <text>Research.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The LPN shall support research activities appropriate to the LPN’s scope of practice.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Measurement Criteria. The LPN shall:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Have knowledge of the client’s rights related to research;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Participate in data collection; and,</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Utilize established facility-approved research protocols.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="H.">
    <text>Resource Utilization.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The LPN shall consider factors related to safety and cost when participating in client care planning and implementing client care.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Measurement Criteria. The LPN shall:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Assist the client, the client’s family, and significant others to identify:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Unmet client needs; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Potential services to meet any unmet needs; and</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Evaluate factors related to client safety and cost when performing or delegating client care.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="I.">
    <text>Delegation and Supervision.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>When the delegation does not jeopardize the client’s welfare, the LPN may delegate nursing tasks to a certified nursing assistant, medication technician, or an unlicensed person who is competent to perform those acts or tasks.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Measurement Criteria.</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>When delegating a nursing task, the LPN shall assess the client and determine that the delegation is consistent with COMAR 10.27.11.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>When delegating nursing tasks, the LPN shall assess the capabilities, experience, and competency of a person working under the LPN’s supervision.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>When delegating a nursing task to a certified nursing assistant, medication technician, or an unlicensed person, the LPN shall:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Instruct;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Direct;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iii)">
          <text>Regularly evaluate the performance of nursing tasks by the certified nursing assistant, medication technician, or unlicensed person;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iv)">
          <text>Rectify a situation in which the certified nursing assistant, medication technician, or unlicensed person under the LPN’s supervision is performing nursing tasks that are inconsistent with generally accepted professional standards and notify the registered nurse leader of the nursing team; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(v)">
          <text>Prohibit the continued performance of the certified nursing assistant, medication technician, or unlicensed person who is performing the delegated nursing task or tasks incompetently and notify the registered nurse leader of the nursing team.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="J.">
    <text>Refusal.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The LPN has the right and the responsibility to refuse to perform, or delegate nursing acts.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Measurement Criteria.</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>The LPN has the right and responsibility to refuse to perform a nursing act which is beyond the parameters of the LPN’s:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Education;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Capabilities;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iii)">
          <text>Clinical competency; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iv)">
          <text>Scope of practice.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>The LPN shall obtain appropriate education, training, and supervision as required to perform nursing functions which are within the LPN’s scope of practice but are beyond the parameters of the licensee’s clinical competency.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>The LPN has the right to refuse to accept responsibility and accountability for supervising, monitoring, instructing, or evaluating a certified nursing assistant, certified medication technician, or an unlicensed person performing a nursing task that has not been delegated by that licensee.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>