University Hospital

APPROVAL:            2/07

1. The Care Delivery Facilitator (CDF) takes into consideration the staff's previous assignment, patient classification, unit and patient needs and patient diagnosis.
2. These seven elements should be considered in the process for assigning nursing staff members to provide nursing care to patients.

1. The complexity of the patient’s condition and required nursing care
2. The dynamics of the patient’s status
3. The complexity of the assessment required by the patient
4. The type of technology employed in providing nursing care
5. The degree of supervision required by each member of the nursing staff
6. The availability of supervision
7. Relevant information control and safety issues

3. When possible a nurse assigned to care for an infected patient should not be assigned to a non-infected patient with open wounds.
4. Patients are to be assigned utilizing Primary Nursing.
5. RN Team Leaders may make or change assignment within their team.
6. Care Delivery Facilitator may change patient care assignments during a shift when staffing or patient needs change.
7. CDF or designee documents patient assignments and shift assignments for team members in the CDF Book for 2A.
8. In absence of a CDF for 2A for a shift, a Charge Nurse is designated.  The Charge Nurse is responsible for patient assignments and bed assignments in coordination with Bed Control.