Category: Policy

Privacy and confidentiality can be a complicated subject area for nurses. In one respect, a major professional and ethical responsibility of healthcare providers is to practice within the relevant laws governing privacy and confidentiality of personal health information. This means all Licensed Practical Nurses have the duty to safeguard a client’s personal health information and…

DOWNLOAD ISSUE Today’s LPNs are diverse in age, background and experience, but united by a commitment to caring for the public, one patient at a time. See the faces of LPN professionalism in the Winter 2018 issue of CARE magazine. These real LPNs from across Alberta are examples of the dedication and caring of the…

In November 2018, the Alberta government passed Bill 21: An Act to Protect Patients which amends the Health Professions Act and affects all regulated health professionals in Alberta. Bill 21 is intended to better protect patients from sexual abuse and sexual misconduct by regulated health professionals. Most notably, all health professionals (including Alberta’s Licensed Practical…

Restricted Activities can be a muddy, misunderstood topic. Two new related policies from the College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Alberta should increase clarity on these high-risk nursing practices that require additional education, skills, and often supervision requirements. Firstly, the Practice Policy: Specialized Practice Areas explains the additional requirements for Alberta’s Licensed Practical Nurses who…

(UPDATE Dec 18, 2018 – All Licensed Practical Nurses must report Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFI) to the AHS Central AEFI Reporting Line at 1-855-444-2324 (1-855-444-CDCI). The CLPNA’s Fact Sheet: Immunization Regulation Duties has been updated to include this info.)  New Alberta government regulations give all health professionals, including Licensed Practical Nurses, additional responsibilities regarding…

(UPDATE Dec 18, 2018 – All Licensed Practical Nurses must report Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFI) to the AHS Central AEFI Reporting Line at 1-855-444-2324 (1-855-444-CDCI). The CLPNA’s Fact Sheet: Immunization Regulation Duties has been updated to include this info.)  In November, 2016, the Government of Alberta announced changes to the Public Health Act, aimed…

The legalization of recreational cannabis on October 17, 2018 brings with it an additional consideration for healthcare professionals such as Alberta’s Licensed Practical Nurses: Whether personal cannabis usage may compromise their ability to provide safe, competent, and ethical nursing care. New guidance from the College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Alberta (CLPNA) explains possible impacts…

Aesthetic nursing is the provision of specialized procedures for the purpose of cosmetic treatment such as, but not limited to, dermal fillers, volume enhancers, collagen stimulators, lipolysis and neuromodulators. This area of practice is constantly evolving and could include more procedures. The roles and responsibilities of a nurse performing aesthetic nursing procedures may vary by…

Complete guidance on medication management is now available for Alberta’s Licensed Practical Nurses, and there’s an accompanying self-study course to match. The CLPNA’s Practice Guideline: Medication Management gives principles for safe, ethical and competent medication management in all practice settings. The robust 39-page document should be a welcome resource to LPNs and their healthcare colleagues. Employers…

Incapacity is defined as suffering from a physical, mental or emotional condition or disorder or an addiction to alcohol and drugs as defined in the Pharmacy and Drug Act or other chemicals that impair the ability to provide professional services in a safe and competent manner. – Health Professions Act, RSA 2000, c H-7, s…