Navigating Supervision of Advanced Practice Providers

Current trends demonstrate that the proportion and complexity of emergency care provided by advanced practice providers (APPs) is increasing, which underscores the importance of emergency physician supervision and support. Laws governing supervision vary between physician assistants and nurse practitioners, with the latter legally able to practice independently in some states. Regardless of the supervision model, emergency medicine professional organizations advocate for physician-led teams. Communication lapses and contradictory documentation with errors and omission are potential sources of medical error and risk. Ensuring appropriate oversight with consideration of the APPs experience and documenting appropriately may minimize legal risk.