What is the term for assigning tasks to other healthcare team members?

The term that refers to assigning tasks to other healthcare team members is delegation. Delegation is a critical skill in nursing and healthcare management and involves the transfer of responsibility for the performance of a particular task from one individual to another, while still maintaining accountability for the outcome. This process allows for efficient use of resources, as healthcare professionals can focus on tasks that require their specific expertise while enabling other team members to perform suitable responsibilities within their scope of practice.

In healthcare settings, effective delegation enhances teamwork, improves patient care, and ensures that tasks are completed in a timely manner. It is essential for nurses to understand both their own scope of practice and the qualifications and abilities of the team members to whom they are delegating duties. This ensures that care is given safely and that patient needs are met efficiently.

Coordination involves organizing patient care activities among various healthcare professionals but does not specifically indicate the transfer of responsibility. Collaboration refers to working together towards common goals in patient care and does not entail the delegation aspect. Supervision involves overseeing the performance of tasks but again does not specifically define the act of assigning tasks to others. Therefore, delegation is the most appropriate term related to the assignment of tasks.