Nursing Practice Updates

The evolution of independent for-profit (stand-alone) clinics providing intravenous (IV) hydration therapy has prompted many calls to the CRNS. After completing environmental scanning and a review of best practices, the CRNS has determined that it is within the scope of practice of Registered Nurses (RN) to administer IV hydration therapy and medications, vitamins, and/or electrolytes (additives) while working in stand-alone clinics so long as the nursing process is implemented and appropriate policies and supports are in place to support safe, competent, and ethical care of this client population.  

RNs and Nurse Practitioners (NP) are accountable to practice within their legislated scope of practice and personal competence and to adhere to their Practice Standards and Code of Ethics as they would in any other practice setting.  Registrants must complete the Recognition of Practice process to use the title RN and/or NP and to count the practice hours they have worked in an IV hydration clinic towards licensure.

With the growing popularity of IV hydration therapy and individuals “self-selecting” treatments – for example, to relieve the effects of a hangover, there is an increasing trend of complaints related to unsafe practices and untoward events reported in Canada and the United States.  It is essential for RNs and NPs engaged in this practice to understand that IV hydration is a medical treatment and, therefore, there must be a medical condition for the client to obtain the treatment. As with all treatments and interventions, the risks of accepting treatments should be disclosed to the client and informed consent obtained.   

To provide safe, competent nursing care and to meet the requirements for Recognition of Practice, the following must be in place when performing IV hydration therapy treatments:

1. Appropriate policies, procedures, and resources.
2. A health history and physical examination must be performed and documented by the prescribing NP or physician to ascertain if underlying co-morbidities, such as congestive heart failure or kidney disease, might be a contraindication to the client receiving treatment.
3. Provision for diagnostic testing, as indicated for co-morbidities, should be completed as part of the client assessment. Diagnostic testing should be considered to establish a baseline for ongoing treatment.
4. The infusion must be prescribed to treat a diagnosed medical condition; clients must not “self-select” treatments. 
5. There must be an order from an NP or physician for the RN to initiate the IV and/or administer the IV solution and additives.
6. There must be appropriate documentation, including the client assessment, client consent, treatment ordered and administered, and client response to that treatment.
7. The supplies, including IV lines, solution, and additives, must be procured from a reputable source and stored and handled in alignment with current infection prevention and control (IPAC) best practices and principles. 
8. There must be an ability to manage untoward events, including having the necessary emergency equipment on site.

For more information, please contact a nursing practice advisor practiceadvice@crns.ca, or to inquire about recognition of practice, please contact  regulation@crns.ca.

The CRNS is pleased to announce the release of the Nurse Practitioner (NP) practice document Nurse Practitioner Entry-Level Competencies (2023). The Nurse Practitioner Entry-Level Competencies (2023) come into force and into effect on September 25, 2023.

The Entry-Level Competencies for NPs reflect the foundational knowledge, skills, and judgement required of NPs to provide safe, competent, ethical, and compassionate care. While NPs’ roles and responsibilities may vary by context and client population, this document outlines the competencies that all NPs must possess to be competent when they begin to practice. You will find this document under Nursing Practice Resources, NP Resource. 

In addition to reviewing the revised document, you may find the key summary page  helpful. In addition, we invite you to tune in to a Facebook live on September 7, 2023, at noon. The presentation can be watched on #replay if you cannot make that time.

CRNS Nursing Advisors are available to answer your questions. They can be contacted by phone at 1.800.667.9945 or 306.359.4227 or by email at practiceadvice@crns.ca. 

The CRNS is collaborating with the Nurses Association of New Brunswick to revise the NP Practice Standards document. The practice standards are the expected levels of professional practice performance that guide safe and effective decision-making in nursing.

CRNS staff have reviewed and revised the existing document and are now seeking feedback from the public, partners, and registrants as part of the external consultation process. This process is in place to ensure the revised NP Practice Standards reflect current NP practices and are clearly presented. Feedback can be provided by accessing this survey and will be accepted until Monday, August 14, 2023, at midnight.

Final approval of the document is through the CRNS Council. Questions or comments are welcome and can be directed to smoore@crns.ca and/or dcooke@crns.ca.

The CRNS, RPNAS and SALPN are pleased to share a collaborative document developed to guide your decision-making when working with Unregulated Care Providers. Regulated nurses are expected to utilize the nursing process, their knowledge, critical thinking, and judgement when making client care decisions. Not all scenarios can be captured in a document, and the responsibility remains with the regulated nurse to make decisions in the client’s best interest.  

When there are ongoing concerns, the regulated nurse is responsible for working with the health care team to resolve them. Involvement of nursing management and senior administration may be required. Entry-Level Competencies, Practice Standards, and Code of Ethics are resources to guide the discussion. Nursing Advisors are also available to assist.
 
Read the Working with Unregulated Care Providers Resource here.

For those currently working with Unregulated Care Providers, please review this resource and consider how it may relate to your practice. CRNS Nursing Advisors are available to answer your questions. They can be contacted by phone at 1.800.667.9945 or 306.359.4227 or by email at practiceadvice@crns.ca. 

The Aesthetics Nursing resource has been developed for RNs and NPs in response to the evolution of aesthetics nursing and the many questions CRNS registrants have asked regarding this practice area. In this resource, you will find information about the legislated scope of practice, personal competence, education, accountabilities, and expectations for using the nursing process in this area of nursing. In addition, you will find information on the process for obtaining recognition of practice and engaging in self-employed practice for aesthetic nursing.

For those currently practicing or planning to practice aesthetics nursing, please review this resource and consider how it may relate to your practice. CRNS Nursing Advisors are available to answer your questions. They can be contacted by phone at 1.800.667.9945 or 306.359.4227 or by email at practiceadvice@crns.ca. 

The Saskatchewan Biosimilars Initiative was announced on October 20, 2022, to improve the uptake of biosimilar drugs, and the Government of Saskatchewan continues to provide updates. Visit the Biosimilars Initiative website for the most current and up-to-date news regarding this initiative.

The CRNS is pleased to announce the release of the NP practice resource Ending the NP-Client Relationship CRNS, 2023. This resource has been developed to support the professional practice of registrants of the CRNS by providing considerations for NPs on ending the NP-client relationship. You will find the resource under NP Practice Resources.

Please review this document and consider how it may relate to your practice. If you have any questions, please get in touch with a CRNS Nursing Advisor by phone at 1.800.667.9945 or 306.359.4227 or by email at practiceadvice@crns.ca.

Be advised that Northumberland Pharmacy at Unit F3 924 Northumberland Avenue Saskatoon has been closed by Saskatchewan College of Pharmacy Professionals (SCPP) as of the beginning of business day February 28, 2023.

Due to the sudden closure of the pharmacy, patients will not have access to their prescription(s), or the pharmacy-specific records maintained at the pharmacy. Records of filled prescriptions will be available on the Pharmaceutical Information Program (PIP).

Prescriptions which were faxed to Northumberland Pharmacy will no longer be accessible to either the patient or another pharmacy if they were not processed by the pharmacy prior to the closure. This could include new refill authorizations and acute care medications. As such, SCPP staff will be faxing prescriptions with a cover letter back to the practitioner as the patients will need to be contacted to see where they would like their prescription(s) sent. The SCPP apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause.

The pharmacy provides OAT medications to ten patients. The SCPP is working with the Drug Plan and Extended Benefits Branch (DPEBB) and Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) to ensure the transition of care in terms of adjudication of prescriptions.

Pharmacists are enabled under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA) section 56 exemption and SCPP Prescriptive Authority Bylaws to continue existing prescriptions to maintain continuity of care for the patients.

SCPP has also provided an email to pharmacists to assist them with managing the situation. Signage has also been placed on the pharmacy exterior doors to assist patients with the name, location, and phone number of surrounding pharmacies to assist them, which includes pharmacies that provide OAT services.

While SCPP has put as many provisions as possible in place to be able to manage this unfortunate situation, they wish to alert CRNS registrants to the possibility of increased requests for prescriptions for patients of Northumberland Pharmacy.

Thank you for your attention to this matter and any questions or concerns from practitioners can be addressed to Deputy Registrar Lori Postnikoff at lori.postnikoff@saskpharm.ca or by contacting 306-584-2292.

In the 2022 updated regulatory bylaws that were approved and published in the September 9, 2022, Saskatchewan Gazette and came into effect on November 1, 2022, it included an update to Bylaw VI Categories of Practice, Section 3 Nurse Practitioner Category, which enables NPs to order or request medical imaging. This involves the application or detection of forms of energy for diagnostic and screening purposes and to receive and interpret reports, or to perform ultrasound imaging for the sole purpose of point-of-care diagnostic assistance when it is in the best interest of the client, in accordance with their practice standards and code of ethics, when they have the competence and judgment to safely do so, when it is in alignment with best practice evidence and when agency policy permits.

In our work to facilitate RNs and NPs practicing to their full scope, we’ve worked with the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) to minimize disruptions and fully support NPs with equal opportunity to order diagnostic imaging exams SHA provides to General Practitioners (GP).

This allows access to almost all diagnostic testing services.

For MRI and PET/CT exams, NPs and GPs may require additional documentation of approval following a discussion with a radiologist, or a recommendation for such an exam in a previous medical imaging diagnostic report.

If an NP is experiencing challenges ordering diagnostic imaging, please get in touch with Jordan Vercaigne, Manager of Provincial Diagnostic Imaging Standards and Operations, at 306.491.8220.

On February 2, 2023, the Ministers of Justice and Health of the Government of Canada introduced legislation, Bill-39, to extend the temporary exclusion of eligibility for MAiD where a person’s sole medical condition is a mental illness until March 17, 2024. The one-year extension would provide the federal government with additional time to prepare for the safe and consistent assessment and provision of MAID where the person’s sole underlying medical condition is a mental illness. 

The CRNS will continue to monitor updates from the Federal government, work with Saskatchewan Health Authority MAiD program partners and provide updates as they become available.

More information is available from the Department of Justice Canada website, MAiD Media Release.

If you have any questions, please get in touch with Practice Advice at practiceadvice@crns.ca

The Saskatchewan Biosimilars Initiative was announced on October 20, 2022, to improve the uptake of biosimilar drugs. The Biosimilars Initiative means that patients will be covered for a biosimilar version of their biologic medication where one is available. 

The latest update includes clarifications and resources to support health care providers and patients. Some reminders: 

• A new Exception Drug Status (EDS) application is not required for patients to start using a biosimilar. 
• Where applicable, EDS coverage for the listed biosimilars has been added for patients who have current EDS coverage for an affected reference biologic. EDS coverage for the reference biologic will be terminated on April 30, 2023. 
• Biosimilars are not listed as interchangeable with the reference biologic on the Saskatchewan Formulary. They cannot be substituted at the pharmacy level. 
• Prescriptions must clearly indicate the biosimilar brand to be dispensed by the pharmacy. 

This update from the Ministry of Health includes Insulin coverage updates, exemptions and extensions, and patient notification requirements.

Physicians, NPs and pharmacists are asked to approach patient questions with evidence-based information to help build patient confidence in the data supporting biosimilar use and transition.

Additional resources:

November 18, 2022: Letter to Health Care Providers – Patient Communications and Patient List Request Form

October 20, 2022: Letter to Health Care Providers Regarding Saskatchewan Biosimilars Initiative

Guide for Patients

Patient List Request Form

Visit the Biosimilars Initiative website for the most current and up-to-date news regarding this initiative.

Health Canada has declared a Tier 3 shortage for several antibiotic suspensions. Tier 3 is the most critical level and is expected to impact the health care system significantly. Many antibiotic suspensions are unavailable or sporadically available in extremely limited supply.

There may be a current supply of certain antibiotic suspensions, but we should expect these to become depleted as prescribing shifts. Tablets and capsules are currently available. This message addresses:

• Strategies for conserving antibiotic suspensions
• Resources for managing this shortage
• Resources to help your patients understand the shortage

Note: All RN(AAP)s can only prescribe and dispense the medications that are identified in a CDT. Review the appropriate CDT prior to prescribing and dispensing any medication. Due to the suspension shortage, consult with a physician or NP as needed to receive orders for medications not included in the CDT.

Read the joint statement regarding the Antibiotic Suspension Shortage

The Saskatchewan Biosimilars Initiative was announced on October 20, 2022, to improve the uptake of biosimilar drugs. The Biosimilars Initiative means that patients will be covered for a biosimilar version of their biologic medication where one is available.

The Biosimilars Initiative includes ten drugs listed on the Saskatchewan Formulary: adalimumab (Humira®), enoxaparin (Lovenox®), etanercept (Enbrel®), filgrastim (Neupogen®), glatiramer (Copaxone®), infliximab (Remicade®), insulin aspart (NovoRapid®), insulin glargine (Lantus®), insulin lispro (Humalog®), and rituximab (Rituxan®). The policy will also apply to future reference biologics as new biosimilars are launched and listed on the Saskatchewan Formulary.

Established patients already receiving a reference biologic drug (or “originator” biologic) with an available biosimilar version will be required to use a biosimilar version by April 30, 2023, in order to maintain coverage under the Saskatchewan Drug Plan.

Physicians, NPs and pharmacists are asked to approach patient questions with evidence-based information to help build patient confidence in the data supporting biosimilar use and transition.

Additional resources:

November 18, 2022: Letter to Health Care Providers – Patient Communications and Patient List Request Form

October 20, 2022: Letter to Health Care Providers Regarding Saskatchewan Biosimilars Initiative

Guide for Patients

Patient List Request Form

For the most current and up-to-date news regarding this initiative, visit the Biosimilars Initiative website.

This is an update to the October 12, 2022, Nursing Practice Update. The provincial Collaborative Practice Agreement to support accessing compounded supplies during the pediatric analgesic shortage has been updated to include ibuprofen.

There is a demand surge for pediatric analgesic and antipyretic dosage forms which is creating an ongoing supply issue for patients. Pharmacists have been supporting patients by assisting with advice on alternate products, different dosage forms, repackaging bulk supplies when able, and compounding. 

To support patient access during the pediatric analgesic shortage, the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Saskatchewan, the College of Registered Nurses of Saskatchewan, and the Saskatchewan College of Pharmacy Professionals have created a short-term solution in the form of a provincial CPA which would then enable pharmacists to prescribe for pediatric acetaminophen and ibuprofen. 

Read the full statement here.

There is an updated dose of Azithromycin as a third-line oral antibiotic agent within the Pharyngitis: Adult and Pediatric CDT. This change takes effect immediately and is posted on the CRNS website along with all of the CDTs for RN(AAP) practice. 

The change in Adult and Pediatric dosing and duration of Azithromycin is consistent with the RxFiles: Drug comparison charts (13th ed.), and is as follows: 

If you have any questions, CRNS Practice Advisors are available by emailing practiceadvice@crns.ca.

Reference

RxFiles Academic Detailing Program. (2021). RxFiles: Drug comparison charts (13th ed.). Saskatoon Health Region.

The 2022 Bylaws package was presented to registrants for their approval at the annual meeting on May 5, 2022. All proposed bylaw amendments were approved which allowed CRNS to follow the established government processes for finalizing the bylaws. Administrative bylaws were filed with the Information Services Corporation (ISC) following the annual meeting and we received written approval from them on May 31, 2022. Regulatory bylaws were submitted to the Ministry of Health for Ministerial approval in June. These bylaws were approved and published in the September 9, 2022, Saskatchewan Gazette which brings them into force and effect. 

What this means for registrants is that the 2022 Bylaws are being updated and are now posted on the CRNS website for review. On November 1, 2022, all registrants will be required to comply with these bylaws. Some of the key regulatory bylaw amendments are listed below:

• Continuing Competence Program (CCP) requirements for the revised program will be implemented for the upcoming 2023 registration year which begins on December 1, 2022. The new requirements have been outlined in Bylaw V.1 Continuing Competence. 
• To fulfill the CRNS mandate of protection of the public, all practicing members in every category must report to the Registrar by email or phone, as soon as is reasonably practical, a charge under the Criminal Code (Canada), the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (Canada) or any similar legislation in any province, territory, state, or country, or any charge concerning the practice of nursing or another profession in any jurisdiction. This amendment can be found in Bylaw VI Membership.
• Bylaw VI Categories of Practice, Section 3 Nurse Practitioner Category contains a change for NP practice. It enables NPs to order or request medical imaging involving the application or detection of forms of energy for diagnostic and screening purposes and to receive and interpret reports, or to perform ultrasound imaging for the sole purpose of point of care diagnostic assistance when it is in the best interest of the client, in accordance with their practice standards and code of ethics, when they have the competence and judgment to safely do so, when it is in alignment with best practice evidence and when agency policy permits. This is an important amendment that facilitates increased access to timely care for the residents of Saskatchewan. 
• Another bylaw that impacts NPs directly is Bylaw VI Categories of Practice, Section 4 Prescription Review Program as the language has been updated to reflect current best practices on providing prescriptions directly to a pharmacy. 
• A new section was added to Bylaw VI Categories of Practice, Section 5 Resignation on Medical or Other Grounds. This bylaw essentially allows a CRNS registrant who identifies that their fitness to practice is significantly impacted by the effects of a physical or mental disability and choose to resign from practice to protect the safety of patients. The bylaw outlines the conditions of this process. 
• Bylaw XV adopts the recently published RN with Additional Authorized [RN(AAP)] Practice Standards as the standards required of registered nurses practicing with Additional Authorized Practice, so this will be of special interest to RN(AAP)s and managers or interdisciplinary colleagues of RN(AAPs). The 2022 RN(AAP) Practice Standards will be posted online in the upcoming weeks.

Some of the key administrative bylaw amendments are listed below:

• The Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) officially changed their membership structure at their 2021 annual meeting and this was implemented on January 1, 2022. Jurisdictional Membership will not exist going forward. Instead of organizations representing nurses as members, individual nurses will obtain their own memberships. Therefore, Bylaw I, Section 6 and Bylaw VII Fees, Sections 3 and 4 have all been updated to reflect this. This is important for registrants to be aware of because CRNS will no longer be collecting CNA fees during license renewal. Should registrants wish to be CNA members, they can do so independently by following this link.
• Bylaw VII Fees also contains wording regarding fees for practicing registrants currently licensed in a jurisdiction whose nursing regulatory body has signed a multijurisdictional agreement with the council to provide virtual care in Saskatchewan. 

Should you have questions regarding the 2022 Bylaws, contact a Nursing Practice Advisor by email at practiceadvice@crns.ca or by phone at 1.800.667.9945.

Registered Nurses (RN) may be authorized by a Nurse Practitioner (NP) to administer bioactive agents such as Botox. The CRNS has collaborated with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Saskatchewan (CPSS) over the past several months to obtain written clarification on this matter and is able to share this update. 

Prior to initiating practice, RNs administering and NPs administering and/or authorizing bioactive agents require recognition of practice through the CRNS Regulatory Services team. 

RNs and NPs must have the ongoing knowledge, skill and judgement to safely perform the injection of bioactive agents. NPs authorizing this practice must also supervise the RN to reasonably assure safety for clients. The administration of bioactive agents is beyond entry-level practice and requires an RN Clinical Protocol that includes the essential components of an RN Specialty Practice. 

Further guidance on including alternative and complementary therapies into RN and NP practice can be found in thisNursing Practice Update.

CRNS Nursing Advisors are available by emailing Regulatory Services at regulation@crns.ca or Nursing Practice at practiceadvice@crns.ca.

The Canadian Council for Registered Nurse Regulators (CCRNR) Nurse Practitioner Regulation Framework Implementation Plan Project (NPR-FIPP) continues to move forward. All project updates can be found on the CCRNR website. 

If you’d like to stay up-to-date on this project, you can subscribe to the CCRNR NPR-FIPP newsletter when you visit CCRNR website. The CRNS will be setting up meetings to inform partners of the project and involve key stakeholders in consultation. 

If you are interested in learning more about this project, email Donna Cooke, Nursing Advisor, at dcooke@crns.ca.

Nursing Practice Update: Amendments to the Criminal Code to protect health care workers and people seeking access to health services

Changes to the Criminal Code came into effect on January 16, 2022, and serve to enhance protection for health care workers and people seeking access to health services. Violence and threats of violence towards Registered Nurses and other health care workers is a long-standing issue that has worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic and has extended to the public who are seeking health services. A backgrounder from the Government of Canada is available here.

The Canadian Nurses Protective Society (CNPS) has written an article further describing the changes to the Criminal Code and how they may intersect with Registered Nurses as health care professionals.

CRNS members are encouraged to read the linked articles in this update to become familiar with the legislation changes.

Questions? Contact an CRNS Practice Advisor by phone at 1.800.667.9945 or 306.359.4227, or by email at practiceadvice@crns.ca.

The CRNS is updating direction to its members who assign tasks to unregulated care providers. The CRNS is seeking feedback on this resource from members and external stakeholders, including the public, as part of the external consultation process. This process is in place to ensure relevant information is clearly presented. Feedback can be provided by accessing this survey and will be accepted until Monday, January 31, 2022 at 4:30pm.

Final approval of the resource is through the CRNS Executive Director. Questions or comments are welcome and can be directed to tbelcourt@crns.ca.