1.

Nurse practitioners are accountable for the care they provide and the decisions that they make when sharing client care with other health care professionals.

2.

Nurse practitioners consult with or make a referral to other health care professionals when:

a.

they encounter client care needs beyond the scope of practice for nurse practitioners or their individual competence, and/or

b.

client care would benefit from the expertise of other health care professionals.

3.

Nurse practitioners make referral decisions in collaboration with the client.

4.

When consulting with or making a referral to another health care professional, nurse practitioners:

a.

present the reason for and the level of urgency of the consultation or referral

b.

describe the level of involvement requested

c.

provide relevant client health information

d.

confirm the health care professional’s ongoing level of involvement with the client

e.

document the request for and outcome of the consultation or referral in the client’s health record

5.

When providing consultations to or receiving referrals from other health care professionals, nurse practitioners:

a.

confirm the reason for and level of urgency of the request

b.

confirm the level of involvement requested

c.

ensure that they have access to relevant client health information

d.

notify the health care professional if they are unable to provide a consultation or receive a referral

e.

confirm their ongoing level of involvement with the client

f.

document the request for and outcome of the consultation or referral