More   en français

Publications & Resources > The Standard > September 2005

   Last modified: Aug. 25, 2005

Proposed RN(EC) lab items omitted

Feedback

In accordance with the requirements of the Procedural Code of the Regulated Health Professions Act, and in order for Council to make an informed decision, the proposed changes are published to allow stakeholders and members an opportunity to comment. Please forward your comments regarding the proposed additions by November 7, 2005, to:

Jenna Hofbauer
E-mail: jhofbauer@cnomail.org
Fax: 416 928-5916
Mail: College of Nurses of Ontario
101 Davenport Rd. Toronto, ON M5R 3P1

In the June issue of The Standard, the College published recommended changes to the Registered Nurses in the Extended Class [RN(EC)] Drug, Laboratory and Diagnostic Test Lists. Inadvertently, four tests from the table of proposed additions to the laboratory test list were not included.

In September, Council will receive a report on the feedback to the list published in June and make a decision about those regulation changes. The College will forward the approved changes to the government at that time. Council’s decision will be reported in “Connecting With Council” on the College’s website in October and in The Standard in December.

To proceed with the four proposed additional tests, the College is publishing them below and allowing 60 days for feedback from stakeholders and College members. Council will receive a report on the feedback in December when it makes a final decision about inclusion of the proposed additions to the laboratory test list. Council’s decision will be reported in “Connecting With Council” on the College’s website in January and in The Standard in March.

Proposed Additions to the Laboratory List

Test Rationale
Creatinine clearance 24-hr. urine — routine monitoring in Diabetes Mellitus.
Prostate Specific Antigen Recognizing limitations, but offering clients informed choice.
Controversial as a screening test, however continues to be requested by clients.
Would provide RN(EC)s with options for screening in men’s health.
Creatinine Kinase Monitor adverse response to statin medications and Econozole.
Clostridium difficile toxin assay This test involves detection of a toxin produced by C. difficile and is not routinely performed by culture.
C. difficile is the major cause of antibiotic-associated diarrhea and pseudomembranous colitis.
RN(EC) able to prescribe antibiotics which may contribute to C. difficile pseudomembranous colitis and able to prescribe
Metronidazole for treatment.

 

[top]