Regulation - LGIC
Proposed amendments to O. Reg. 275/94 (General) made under the Nursing Act, 1991, to authorize registered practical nurses (RPNs) to initiate certain procedures independently, without the need for an order.
Regulation Number(s):
Ontario Regulation 275/94 (General)
Instrument Type:
Regulation - LGIC
Bill or Act:
Nursing Act, 1991
Summary of Decision:
ONTARIO REGULATION 96/23
made under the
NURSING ACT, 1991
Made: March 15, 2023
Approved: May 11, 2023
Filed: May 15, 2023
Published on e-Laws: May 15, 2023
Published in The Ontario Gazette: June 3, 2023
AMENDING O. REG. 275/94
(GENERAL)
made under the
NURSING ACT, 1991
Made: March 15, 2023
Approved: May 11, 2023
Filed: May 15, 2023
Published on e-Laws: May 15, 2023
Published in The Ontario Gazette: June 3, 2023
AMENDING O. REG. 275/94
(GENERAL)
Analysis of Regulatory Impact:
The proposed amendments may result in some compliance costs for RPNs who choose to independently initiate the procedures listed above should they want to complete additional continuing education to improve their current competence regarding these procedures.
Further Information:
Regulation
Proposal Number:
22-HLTC039
Posting Date:
December 17, 2022
Summary of Proposal:
Introduction
In Ontario, the regulation of health professions is based on a self-governance model. There are 26 health regulatory colleges governing 28 health professions under the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 (RHPA) and their respective health profession Acts.
Under the RHPA and the Nursing Act, 1991, the College is responsible for governing the profession of nursing in Ontario. Under these Acts, the College has the authority to make regulations on a variety of subject matters, including regulations pertaining to scopes of practice. The proposed regulation amendments are subject to prior review by the Minister of Health (minister) and the approval of the Lieutenant Governor in Council (LGIC).
The practice of nursing is the promotion of health and the assessment of, the provision of care for, and the treatment of health conditions by supportive, preventive, therapeutic, palliative and rehabilitative means in order to attain or maintain optimal function.
Summary
In 2019, the government indicated that it would enable regulated health professionals to use their education and training more effectively by expanding the scope of practice for certain regulated health professionals, including registered practical nurses (RPN), among others. This commitment was reiterated in the Speech from the Throne in August 2022.
In response to the government's commitment to expand scopes of practice, the College is proposing to make regulatory amendments to allow RPNs to independently initiate certain procedures. The proposed procedures are:
o Irrigation, probing, debriding, and packing of a wound below the dermis or below a mucous membrane
o Venipuncture to start intravenous (IV) access using a solution of normal saline (0.9 per cent), in circumstances in which the individual requires medical attention and delaying venipuncture is likely to be harmful to the individual in certain circumstances
o Certain procedures for the purpose of assessing and/or assisting an individual with health management activities, that require:
-putting an instrument, hand, or finger beyond the individual's labia majora.
-putting an instrument or finger into an artificial opening into the individual's body.
The College's proposal is not final. The ministry may refine this proposal based on feedback received through this consultation, before bringing it forward to the minister for review and prior to seeking the approval of the Lieutenant Governor in Council.
In Ontario, the regulation of health professions is based on a self-governance model. There are 26 health regulatory colleges governing 28 health professions under the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 (RHPA) and their respective health profession Acts.
Under the RHPA and the Nursing Act, 1991, the College is responsible for governing the profession of nursing in Ontario. Under these Acts, the College has the authority to make regulations on a variety of subject matters, including regulations pertaining to scopes of practice. The proposed regulation amendments are subject to prior review by the Minister of Health (minister) and the approval of the Lieutenant Governor in Council (LGIC).
The practice of nursing is the promotion of health and the assessment of, the provision of care for, and the treatment of health conditions by supportive, preventive, therapeutic, palliative and rehabilitative means in order to attain or maintain optimal function.
Summary
In 2019, the government indicated that it would enable regulated health professionals to use their education and training more effectively by expanding the scope of practice for certain regulated health professionals, including registered practical nurses (RPN), among others. This commitment was reiterated in the Speech from the Throne in August 2022.
In response to the government's commitment to expand scopes of practice, the College is proposing to make regulatory amendments to allow RPNs to independently initiate certain procedures. The proposed procedures are:
o Irrigation, probing, debriding, and packing of a wound below the dermis or below a mucous membrane
o Venipuncture to start intravenous (IV) access using a solution of normal saline (0.9 per cent), in circumstances in which the individual requires medical attention and delaying venipuncture is likely to be harmful to the individual in certain circumstances
o Certain procedures for the purpose of assessing and/or assisting an individual with health management activities, that require:
-putting an instrument, hand, or finger beyond the individual's labia majora.
-putting an instrument or finger into an artificial opening into the individual's body.
The College's proposal is not final. The ministry may refine this proposal based on feedback received through this consultation, before bringing it forward to the minister for review and prior to seeking the approval of the Lieutenant Governor in Council.
Contact Address:
Health Workforce Regulatory Oversight Branch
Nursing and Professional Practice Division
Ministry of Health
438 University Avenue, 10th Floor
Toronto ON M5G 2K8
Nursing and Professional Practice Division
Ministry of Health
438 University Avenue, 10th Floor
Toronto ON M5G 2K8
Effective Date:
July 1, 2023
Decision:
Approved