INTERPRETIVE STATEMENT
2.) Is it within the scope of practice for a registered nurse (RN) to mark a surgical site when the physician is not present?
Issuing Entity: Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission.
Description: Although the physician is primarily responsible for surgical site marking, an RN can perform this procedure with observation and confirmation from the physician. An LPN is not allowed to surgical site mark.
Effective Date: September 12, 2003.
Contact Person: Chuck Cumiskey, Practice Manager, Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission, Department of Health, P.O. Box 47864, Olympia, WA 98504-7864, (360) 236-4724.