Rock Star Teams Start with Clear Instructions: How RNs Can Nail Delegated Services

Let's talk delegated services. As RNs in Assisted Living and memory care, it's one of the most important things we do. Clear instructions for our team not only makes their lives easier, but they also boost resident and family satisfaction and give us a little breathing room too. Win-win-win! Think about it: planning ahead for potential problems saves a ton of time and stress down the road. Our goal should be to set our teams up for success, giving them the tools and guidance they need to shine.

So, how do we create awesome delegated services? Here are a few things to keep in mind:

• Safety first: Is the service safe for both the resident and the caregiver? That's non-negotiable.

• Training time: Have your caregivers been trained and are they comfortable performing the service? Don't assume anything – provide training and check competency beforehand.

• Workflow check: Will this service require big adjustments to the team's workflow? Get their input on timing and make adjustments as needed. They're the ones on the front lines!

• Realistic expectations: Is the service actually doable? Brainstorm alternatives if needed. Again, check in with your caregivers – they'll have the best insight.

• Supply check: Do they have the necessary supplies? Gather everything they need ahead of time to avoid last-minute scrambles.

• Any roadblocks?  Think about any other potential issues and address them proactively.

  
  

Once you've considered all these things, it's service-writing time! Think of services as mini-versions of the resident's full care plan. Keep them short, sweet, and to the point. Our caregivers are the backbones to our units and are busy. Long, complicated instructions are a recipe for confusion (or just skimming, which we don't want!).

Here are some tips for writing killer service details:

• Keep it simple:  Easy to read, easy to follow. Details about the "why" belong in the full care plan.

• Stick to the script: Use your facility's approved language. If you don't have specific language, at be consistent in all of your service description details.

• Write for newbies: If your newest caregiver can understand it, your most experienced one will too. Ask yourself, "Could my teenage child/niece/nephew understand these instructions?"

• Spell it out: Avoid abbreviations and medical jargon. Use plain language and describe body parts clearly (e.g., avoid BID, TID, anterior, posterior, systolic, use "right big toe" instead of "right hallux").

• Plan for the worst:  If a resident needs two-person assist on their bad days, write the service for two-person assist every day. Don't leave it up to the caregiver to assess – that's our job.

• When to call the nurse: Include clear instructions on when the caregiver should notify the RN. (e.g., for wound care: "Notify the nurse if there's redness, yellow or green drainage, hot to touch, odor, increased pain or any other changes" or for exercise: "Notify the nurse if there's pain, weakness, shortness of breath, refusals after three approaches")

• Get feedback: Ask your caregivers to read your service descriptions and see if they make sense. If they have questions, tweak the details until everything is clear.

  
  

If you're struggling with writing services or getting your team to follow them, reach out to us! We can help you review and revise your services so your team can truly shine!