Home Heath

Can an LPN in the State of New Jersey drain a pleurx catheter or change a suprapubic catheter in a patient's home? I have researched this and cannot find a clear answer. I have tried Board of Nursing, Department of Health, Scope of Practice etc. Also, wondering what other Home Care agencies are doing for this, if at all. Thanks 

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Ruth Hurdle
Virtua Home Care and Virtua Hospice
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This should be part of the scope of practice

this is generally viewed as a skilled nursing task that you would have to ensure you have competencies in place for regardless of the level of nursing 

I think the pleurx catheter could but again if you can't find it listed then I would suggested writing for a board opinion on the subject

I think suprapubic catheters are in general more complex, usually initially placed in a sterile setting - there are usually more restrictions regarding this procedure and may not even allow RN"s to do in some states. 

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Eugenia Smither
Bluegrass Care Navigators
Quality Compliance Executive Emeritus
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