The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care has passed regulatory amendments that will affect Nurse Practitioners (NPs) effective July 1, 2011.

These amendments will give additional privileges to all NPs, with some of particular interest to those practising in a hospital setting.

Hospital Services

• NP authority to discharge and treat hospital in-patients will take effect on July 1, 2011.
  
  
• NPs will be authorized to certify death when a client passes away in a hospital if the conditions of the Vital Statistics Act are met.
   
• To give hospitals time to prepare, effective a year later on July 1, 2012, the amendment will give NPs the authority to admit clients to hospital.

NPs who are not hospital employees are required to apply to the hospital for the privileges. The ability for an NP to admit and discharge clients will be left to the discretion of the hospital. NPs should always consult with the facility for further information about its policies.

Laboratory Tests
The regulatory amendments will also remove restrictions to the types of laboratory tests that NPs can order. As such, all NPs should note the NP laboratory list will be revoked on July 1, 2011, and NPs will have the authority to order lab tests as appropriate for client care.

This amendment does not affect the lists of drugs, X-rays and ultrasounds that continue to govern the clinical aspects of NP practice.

For more information about additional practice resources for NPs, visit NP Practice Resources in our Nurse Practitioners section.

The details of the regulatory amendment are available at www.e-laws.gov.on.ca.