NPATCH has the statutory authority to review and analyze a variety of issues, and can make recommendations to three entities:
- State Board of Nursing
- Colorado Medical Board
- Executive Director of the Department of Regulatory Agencies.
While NPATCH members can choose which topics they want to address within their statutory authority, consumers, advocacy groups, regulatory boards, and state Executive Branch agencies also can submit topics for NPATCH consideration. Factors considered when NPATCH selects a topic for review include:
- how significantly the topic affects healthcare consumers,
- level of interest in the physician and nurse communities,
- how the topic addresses the interaction of nursing and medicine,
- whether the issue is consistent with the NPATCH statutory authority.
Since its creation in 2009, the NPATCH has made the following recommendations:
- Recommendations Regarding the Licensure of International Medical Graduates
(August 6, 2021) - Final Report and Recommendations on Peer Health Assistance Services
(June 1, 2018) - Final Report and Recommendations on the Articulated Plan in Practice
(October 10, 2016) - Recommendations for Revising the Articulated Plan Toolkit
(June 9, 2016) - Recommendation on Allowing Advanced Practice Registered Nurses with Prescriptive Authority to Engage in Drug Therapy Management
(April 7, 2015) - Final Report and Recommendations on the Requirements for Advanced Practice Registered Nurses Seeking Prescriptive Authority
(November 10, 2014) - Recommendation on the "Opt-Out" of Physician Supervision for Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)
(September 13, 2010)