I am a member of the Arizona State Board of
Nursing's Scope of Practice Committee and have been assigned (former flight
RN) to obtain some answers from around the country and locally in regard to
nurses doing RSI procedures.
The nurse practice consultants at the state
board frequently get questions about what drugs are supposed to be in the RSI
protocol, which are inappropriate (ie: anesthetic agents), and which are
actually being used in practice. The specific issues are etomidate, ketamine,
and propofol. Apparently some nurses are using these drugs, but are unclear
about what those drugs really are as far as classification/ramifications. We
do have an advisory opinion about nurses using drugs classified as anesthetic
agents.
What does your program use for your
RSI protocol/drugs?
What does your state practice act say
about nurses using anesthetic agents regardless of their work
environment?
I appreciate any response. When I
report back to the board, I just give information, never agency or names of
professionals that share this information. It's really irrelevant, and it
hinders in finding out what practitioners are truly doing, so anything you
share is confidential as far as your name or agency.
Feel free to email me privately.
