Updates to the CRNM General Regulation

Updates to The College of Registered Nurses of Manitoba General Regulation were recently approved by Council and the Provincial Government. This is a short list of highlighted changes and a list of resources updated and created in connection to the changes.

Authorize RNs to administer drugs to treat uncomplicated chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis.

Syphilis, chlamydia, and gonorrhea are commonly reported sexually transmitted infections with Manitoba reporting some of the highest congenital syphilis rates in Canada, reflecting ongoing high syphilis numbers.

To facilitate access to evidence-informed care for the prevention/management of these three sexually transmitted infections, additions to reserved act 9 have been made that allow an RN to administer a drug to treat uncomplicated gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis if the RN:

• works in an approved practice setting,
• applies a clinical decision tool; and
• administers the drug in accordance with Manitoba Health’s Communicable Disease Management Protocols.

These authorities have existed for Public Health Nurses since January 2019 under a Public Health Order issued by the Chief Provincial Medical Health Officer, provided they comply with the Protocols for these three infections. In 2023, this order was extended to include all nurses who provide communicable disease management services.

Update the travel health drug list for RN(APs) and enable them to order COVID-19 PCR tests.

To facilitate ongoing up-to-date access to drugs/vaccines for travel health, the schedule of drugs/vaccines was amended for RN(AP) travel health practice to include:

• Categories of medications for malaria prophylaxis, altitude sickness prophylaxis, and anaphylaxis management
• Addition of vaccines for COVID-19

To facilitate access to any necessary testing, amendments allow RN(APs) to perform testing for nucleic acid or (rapid) antigen tests, or antibody tests to assess for the presence of or immunity to respiratory viruses.

New and updated resources:

• RN(AP) schedule
• Clinical Decision Tool: An Authorization Mechanism
• RN scope of practice
• RN(AP) scope of practice
• RN(AP) practice expectations