The Influence Of Patient Dressing

I remember us having several staff meetings to address situations where a certified nurse aide had changed a patient dressing without asking or notifying the LPN or RN. The CNA was giving a patient shower and forgot to cover the patient’s dressing. Therefore, the dressing was wet and she took the initiative to replace the dressing without informing the RN or LPN. There is always a risk involved when practicing outside one’s scope of practice. Based on the example above, if there is a side effect or reaction that happen from the dressing changed by the CNA there will be no backup or documentation to prove that it was properly done. When scene like this happen, it has to be reported and corrected immediately to avoid further complications and/or