Delegation refers to assigning authority and responsibility to another person, normally from a manager to a subordinate, to carry out specific tasks. There are three essential aspects of delegation: assignment of duties, granting of authority, and creating accountability. Effective delegation involves selecting the right person, task, communication, supervision, and circumstances. Both the delegator and delegatee have responsibilities to ensure tasks are properly communicated, carried out, and evaluated.

1. Delegation

2. Meaning The device of distributing authority is ‘delegation’ or conferring of specific authority.

3. Definition Delegation is the assignment of authority and responsibility to another person (normally from a manager to a subordinate) to carry out specific activities. - Internet.

4. 2. It is the process of assigning responsibilities and authority of co-worker and ensuring his accountability. - Basavanthappa.

5. 3. American Nurses Association (1996) Transfer of responsibility for the performance of a task from one individual to another. 4. National Council of State Boards of Nursing (1995) Transferring the authority to a competent individual to perform a selected nursing task in a selected situation.

6. 5. Achieving performance of care outcomes for which are accountable and responsible by sharing activities with other individuals who have the appropriate authority to accomplish the work (Yoder-Wise, 2008).

7. Components of delegation Care outcomes - patient care is safely provided Accountable and Responsible - both supervisor and delegatee have an obligation to care for that patient and ensure the task is completed

8. Sharing activities – both the supervisor and delegatee work together to accomplish care Appropriate authority – the supervisor selects the appropriate person to delegate the task

9. Essential aspects/dimensions: There are three essential aspects or dimensions Assignments of the duty. Grant of authority. Creation of accountability.

10. Principles of delegation: Assignment of authority. Parity of authority. Clarification of limits of authority. Unity of command.

11. Five rights of delegation Right Task Right Circumstance Right Person Right Communication Right Supervision

12. Responsibilities of Delegator As the delegator, the supervisor/incharge nurse must Have a view of the big picture in the care of the assigned patients Select the appropriate activities to delegate Select the appropriate staff to carry out the activities

13. Clearly communicate the expectations and required follow up Follow up periodically while the task is being completed Evaluate and provide feedback on the effectiveness of the delegation to staff.

14. Responsibilities of Delegatee The delegatee also has responsibilities including Accepting the delegated activities as directed by the nurse supervisor Give report to supervisor on the delegated task Give feedback to delegator on the effectiveness of the delegation process

15. Legal Authority to Delegation Legal responsibility for the incharge nurse to delegate a task is determined by Nurse Practice Act Employer’s statements including job descriptions, policies, and procedures National standards of care American Nurses Association (ANA) Other national organizations