LPN's

[Roe Heckman]

I am an LPN and have been doing MDS's along with the RAPS and Care Plans for the past 3 years and my RN coordinator feels I can do the job with no difficulty....we work closely together and confer with each other often on issues.   During the last visit from our health care consultant (who is on a committee in Columbus that is arguing with ODJFS and the Ohio State Board) ODJFS is trying to enforce that as of April 1 the LPN can no longer do the RAPS and initiate Care Plans and have RN co-signature.  The LPN would be able to contribute to Care Plans but not initialize them.  This would also affect the fact that we both do interim Care Plans within 24hours of admit and I would no longer be able to initiate those either.   We feel this would have a great impact on many nursing homes in the State of Ohio.  Many have LPN's doing all parts of the RAI process.    I strongly suggest you check this out if you are in the State of Ohio.   Does anyone else have information on this issue?