SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Javier Loera Cervantes advanced a measure out of the Senate that would allow physician assistants and registered nurses to complete admission assessments for assisted living residents.

“This measure is about taking care of patients,” said Cervantes (D-Chicago). “By giving physician assistants and registered nurses more responsibility, we allow more patients to be taken care of and physicians to do more of other helpful tasks.”

The measure would let physician assistants and advanced practice registered nurses conduct both comprehensive and dementia-specific assessments for people seeking to join an assisted living or shared housing facility. However, these professionals must have geriatric dementia care experience and receive a physician’s approval of the assessment.

Currently, physicians are the only ones allowed to complete these assessments, which are required prior to admission and once per year afterward. Illinois is considered a “reduced practice” state, meaning that physicians need to be involved in most of nurse practitioners’ work, including diagnosing and treating patients and prescribing drugs.

“This measure ensures consistency of care for residents in assisted living and shared housing facilities,” said Cervantes. “Since physician assistants and registered nurses provide most of the care for these residents, it makes sense that they should be allowed to complete the initial assessments as well.”

Senate Bill 2879 passed the Senate Thursday and heads to the House for further consideration.