...Potential Ethical Complications for Medical Advice from Office Staff Andrea Sammut University of Phoenix Healthcare Ethics and Social Responsibility: HCS /335 March 28, 2011 Jodie Ausloos Potential Ethical Complications for Medical Advice from Office Staff Jerry is a medical assistant who is also and LPN (licensed practical nurse). Jerry is an employee of Dr. Williams’ a licensed medical doctor. Jerry’s responsibilities include administrative as well as patient-oriented tasks such as taking medical history and vitals. Jerry also shared the administrative during such as answering the phones. In this case study Jerry is alone in the office without the supervision of Dr. Williams. Jerry receives a call from a patient who also claims to be a friend of Dr. Williams requesting a refill on his prescription for Valium, a controlled anti-depressant medication. Jerry must make a decision on how to respond to the patients needs while taking legal and ethical ramifications into consideration. Medical assistant and LPN Qualifications and Responsibilities Jerry is a medical assistant and a licensed practical nurse (LPN.) A LPN is generally a bedside nurse performing duties such as checking vital signs, administering injections, wound care, enemas, and catheters. LPN’s also gather information; update patient files with current conditions as well as medical history. Medical assistants have similar duties and LPN’s. Administrative tasks are often included in the duties...
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...HCS 335 Ethics Case Study-Medical Law & Ethics Jerry McCall is Dr. William’s office assistant. He has received professional training as both a medical assistant and a LPN. He is handling all the phone calls while the receptionist is at lunch. A patient calls and says he must have a prescription refill for Valium, an antidepressant medication, called in right away to his pharmacy, since he is leaving for the airport in thirty minutes. He says that Dr. Williams is a professional friend and always gives him a small supply of Valium when he has to fly. No one except Jerry is in the office at this time. What should he do? First before we get into the matter we need to describe what a medical assistant’s job is and what tasks that they perform. A medical assistant’s roll is to complete the administrative and clinical tasks in the office for physicians, podiatrists, chiropractors, and other health practitioners to help make their jobs just a little bit easier. The jobs for a medical assistant will vary due to the location of a practice, the specialty of the practice, and size of the practice. A medical assistant’s job is to help a doctor with the administrative part in the office and the clinical duties so that a doctor will be able to see and receive patients a whole lot faster. A medical assistant must have graduated from an accredited program and they also have to pass a national certification exam. Does Jerry’s medical training qualify him to issue this refill order? Why or...
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...Jerry McCall Ethics Case Study Overview This is an USA pseudo-case diverged from the following Medical and Ethics Textbook case study in Ch. 4 of Medical Law and Ethics that gives insight to medical – ethics and their applications (Fremgen, 2010, p. 85). Jerry McCall is Dr. Williams’s office assistant. He has received professional training as both a medical assistant and an LPN. He is handling all the phone calls while the receptionist is at lunch. A patient calls and says he must have a prescription refill for Valium and that the provider, a friend, calls in the medication prior to any flights. This type of request happens often and in slightly different scenarios, but the outcome should remain the same to avoid ethical and legal issues. This paper will review the case study to help resolve the problem, the ethics involved, and the medical responsibility to refilling a prescription without provider authorization. Qualified Medical Training Understanding the definitions of a licensed practical nurse, LPN, and a medical assistant, MA is the first step to making a factual conclusion for this case study. Support staff to the provider cannot make decisions about medication refills for patients without a direct order from the provider. This action is outside the scope of practice for an LPN or MA. Licensed Practical Nurse An LPN is a role in support of the nurse or RN, a registered Nurse usually in a skilled nursing setting such as a hospital or long-term care facility...
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...environment. The advent of managed care, a variety of medical practice arrangements, and a multitude of healthcare specialty areas have resulted in the continual need to understand healthcare law. Unfortunately, due to the rise of malpractice suits, many physicians are protecting themselves by ordering multiple testing procedures, some of which might not be needed. In addition, many patients no longer want older, more conservative approaches to testing and diagnosis – and these newer tests are more expensive. All healthcare professionals need to pay attention to the wishes of their patients. And in the circumstances where the patients has given family members or others authority to make a healthcare decision on their behalf, healthcare professionals must respect the patient’s wishes. They also should use care not to place their own opinions ahead of the decisions of physicians or other healthcare professionals made in consultation with the patient. As with the case of Jerry McCall, his job is an Office Assistant and Medical assistants perform administrative and clinical tasks to keep the offices of physicians, podiatrists, chiropractors, and other health practitioners running smoothly. The duties of medical assistants vary from office to office, depending on the location and size of the practice and the practitioner's specialty. In small practices, medical assistants usually do many different kinds of tasks, handling both administrative and clinical duties and reporting directly to...
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...between legal and ethical issues. 1.2 Identify major ethical theories and principles. 1.3 Describe problem-solving methodologies. Readings Read Ch. 1 of Health Care Ethics. Read Ch. 1 & 2 of Medical Law and Ethics. Read this week’s Electronic Reserve Readings. Read the Week One Read Me First. Participation Participate in class discussion. 4/10/2014 1 Discussion Questions Respond to weekly discussion questions. 4/10/2014 1 Nongraded Activities and Preparation Ethics Case Study Begin working on the Ethics Case Study due in Week Two. Learning Team Instructions Begin working on the Code of Ethics Paper due in Week Three. Review the Week One objectives and discuss additional insights and questions that may have arisen Individual Health Care Ethics Matching Exercise Complete the Health Care Ethics Matching Exercise, located on your student website. Match keywords commonly used in health care ethics to the definitions on the page. Discuss the exercise in class and turn in your answer sheet to your facilitator. 4/10/2014 15 Week Two: Application of Ethics Within Individual Organizations Details Due Points Objectives 2.1 Describe ethical principles used in health care organizations. 2.2 Explain the relationship between an organization’s culture and ethical decision-making. 2.3 Recognize the role and importance of ethical values within an organization. Readings Read Ch. 3 & 5 of Health Care Ethics. Read Ch. 8 of Medical Law and Ethics. Read...
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...Two: Application of Ethics Within Individual Organizations | | Details | Due | Points | Objectives | 1 2.1 Describe ethical principles used in health care organizations. 2.2 Explain the relationship between an organization’s culture and ethical decision-making. 2.3 Recognize the role and importance of ethical values within an organization. | | | Readings | Read Ch. 3 & 5 of Health Care Ethics. Read Ch. 8 of Medical Law and Ethics. Read this week’s Electronic Reserve Readings.Read the Week Two Read Me First. | | | Participation | Participate in class discussion. | 4 of 7 days/wk | 1 | Discussion Questions | Respond to weekly discussion questions. | DQ 1: Day 2 (June 6, 2012) DQ 2: Day 4 (June 8, 2012) | 1 | Learning Team Instructions | Continue working on the Code of Ethics Paper due in Week Three. Review the Week Two objectives and discuss additional insights and questions that may have arisen. | | | Individual Ethics Case Study | Resource: Ethics Case Study Grading Criteria on your student website Read the case study in Ch. 4 of Medical Law and Ethics that begins, “Jerry McCall is Dr. William’s office assistant.” Prepare a 700- to 1050-word paper in which you answer the following questions: Does Jerry’s medical training qualify him to issue this refill order? Why or why not? * Would it make a difference if the medication requested were for control of high blood pressure that the...
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...is to review a case study and give an opinion on whether Jerry the doctor's assistance is using ethical and legal measures in his job. The paper will also review the decisions that Jerry might have made and major issues that may affect that decision. The paper will also give information on the malpractice lawsuit jerry might face and the readers advice to him, and what problem-solving methods might be helpful to assist in making an ethical decision. In the case study we will be reviewing Jerry McCall, Dr. William's office assistant. He has received professional training as both a medical assistant and a LPN and he is responsible for handling all the phone calls while the receptionist is at lunch. Jerry is now alone in the office and a patient calls and requested that he must have a prescription refill for Valium, an antidepressant medication, called in right away to his pharmacy, since he is leaving for the airport in thirty minutes. The patient said Dr. Williams is a personal friend and always gives him a small supply of Valium when he has to fly. Health care practitioners and organizations are faced with many ethical challenges daily, It is up to them to make a legal decision to protect themselves and employers in these situation. In this scenario Jerry' medical training does not qualify him to issue the refill order. According to Fremgen, F., "Every employee in a medical setting must clearly understand and work within the scope of practice for his or her discipline"(2009)...
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...Administrative Ethics Paper Kelly N McCoy HCS/335 May 19, 2014 Melissa Green, MHA Administrative Ethics Paper Safeguarding patient privacy has been a serious problem even with current technology. Not only are “regular” patients at risk; celebrities and politicians are at a greater risk related to the current culture of social media, reality television, and the “need to know” attitude of today’s society. In the past ten years, serious issues with breeches in celebrity and politicians privacy and confidentiality have risen. For example, in 2013, the reality star Kim Kardashian’s and rapper Kayne West’s medical records were inappropriately accessed between June 18th and June 24th, after giving birth to a baby girl at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center (Associated Press, 2013). In order to ensure and safeguard patient privacy and confidentiality, issues related to breaching patient privacy must be addressed. This paper will address the following: 1. Background information in relation to the breach of Kim Kardashian and Kayne West’s privacy. 2. Arguments or specifics used in the article to support the proposed solution. 3. Ethical and legal issues. 4. Managerial responsibilities related to administrative, ethical issues. 4. Solutions to reduce and prevent breaches in patient privacy. Last year, reality star Kim Kardashian and Kayne West’s medical records were wrongly and unauthorized accessed by five employees of Cedar-Sinai Medial Center after the birth of their daughter (Associated...
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...ram4577X_ch03.qxd 4/16/04 11:50 Page 37 Legal and Ethical Issues in Medical Practice, Including HIPAA AREAS OF COMPETENCE 2003 Role Delineation Study CLINICAL Fundamental Principles ɀ Apply principles of aseptic technique and infection control ɀ Comply with quality assurance practices Patient Care ɀ Coordinate patient care information with other health-care providers GENERAL Legal Concepts ɀ Perform within legal and ethical boundaries ɀ Prepare and maintain medical records ɀ Document accurately ɀ Follow employer’s established policies dealing with the health-care contract ɀ Implement and maintain federal and state health-care legislation and regulations ɀ Comply with established risk management and safety procedures ɀ Recognize professional credentialing criteria CHAPTER OUTLINE ɀ ɀ ɀ ɀ Medical Law and Ethics OSHA Regulations Quality Control and Assurance Code of Ethics ɀ HIPAA ɀ Confidentiality Issues and Mandatory Disclosure OBJECTIVES After completing Chapter 3, you will be able to: 3.1 Define ethics, bioethics, and law. 3.2 Discuss the measures a medical practice must take to avoid malpractice claims. 3.3 Describe OSHA requirements for a medical office. KEY TERMS abandonment agent arbitration assault authorization battery bioethics breach of contract civil law contract crime criminal law defamation disclosure durable power of attorney electronic transaction record ethics expressed contract felony fraud ...
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...Case Study Based on the scenario given, it is evident that the patient is in desperate need of his medication and needs immediate assistance. Jerry McCall is the office assistant for Dr. William’s office and is obligated to somehow help this patient in the best way possible. Luckily Mr. McCall has had prior professional training as both a Medical Assistant and an LPN. First and foremost we would need to consider whether or not Mr. McCall’s medical licenses are up-to-date. If they are, then there are a few ways in which he can help this patient. If not, he would need to find some medical professional to assist him with this patient’s inquiry. With that taken into account we are assuming that his professional medical licenses are up-to-date and that he will be able to assist this patient as quickly as possible. A medical assistant can have a variety of job responsibilities including administrative duties and clinical duties. Some job responsibilities that a medical assistant may have but are not limited to are: taking medical histories, explaining treatment procedures to patients, instructing patients about medication and special diets, preparing and administering medications as directed by a physician and authorizing prescription refills as directed by a physician ("American Association Of Medical Assistants", 2014). Assuming that Mr. McCall has access to patient’s charts and clinical history, he can review the patients chart in hopes of there being a refill available for the...
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... b. 40%. c. 50%. d. 60%. Answer: b EMPLOYMENT DEMAND 2. The percentage of all healthcare providers who are allied health professionals is: a. 25%. b. 40%. c. 50%. d. 60%. Answer: d EMPLOYMENT DEMAND 3. The increased demand for medical billers, medical office assistants, and medical coders can be attributed to: a. the growth of managed care. b. physician practices having more responsibility for filing claims. c. the need for additional staff to file claims and work to obtain timely payment. d. all of the above. Answer: d EMPLOYMENT DEMAND 4. All of the following changes were a result of managed care EXCEPT: a. physicians having to wait 30 days or longer for payment. b. physicians having more responsibility for filing claims. c. patients having to pay for services when rendered. d. physicians having to add to their staff. Answer: c EMPLOYMENT DEMAND 5. Before the 1970s, a physician’s practice would grow based on: a. advertising and referrals. b. managed care contracts. c. consultations. d. hospital affiliations. Answer: a EMPLOYMENT DEMAND 6. Before the 1970s, a solo practice included all of the following staff members EXCEPT: a. physician. b. nurse. c. certified medical biller. d. receptionist. Answer: c EMPLOYMENT DEMAND 7. Managed care is a system in which physicians contract to participate in a health insurance network and healthcare delivery is a. at the discretion of the physician. b. provided only by...
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...Ethics Case Study Everyday health care workers around the world are faced with tough decisions. The law guides many decisions but some decisions require ethical considerations. Making good ethical decisions is not always as easy as it seems. Making ethical decisions is even harder when the primary intention is to be helpful, but it is beyond an employee’s qualifications. Jerry’s Qualifications versus Necessary Qualifications Qualification as a medical assistant and a licensed practical nurse (LPN) does not qualify Jerry to fill, or even refill, any prescription. Only pharmacists, doctors, and other certified professionals can order medications. Jerry working as medical assistant means he is responsible for both administrative and clinical duties (Fremgen, 2009). Jerry is a LPN, which means that he is responsible for many of the same duties as registered nurses, which does not include filling or refilling prescriptions (Fremgen, 2009). Types of doctors who are allowed to write prescriptions include optometrists, veterinarians, podiatrists, clinical pharmacists, and dentists (University Health Care, 2008). Nurse practitioners, psychologists, and physician assistants can often prescribe and order medications. Because Jerry holds none of the fore-mentioned titles he is unauthorized to order a refill on a prescription. Does Type of Medication Make a Difference? Whether Jerry is refilling a prescription for blood pressure medication, blood thinners, or valium...
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...Workman Communication and Information Technology Health care communication and information technology provides health care providers with a way to improve and manage the quality of the delivery of health care information. Electronic Medical Records (EMR) is one type of communication and information technology. According to whatis.com an EMR is “a digital version of the traditional paper-based medical record for an individual. The EMR represents a medical record within a single facility, such as a doctor's office or a clinic” (whatis.com 2008). The main goal of an EMR is to deliver safe, high quality, efficient and cost effective healthcare information. Although EMR’s have improved the delivery of health care information there is still a need for improvement. Most health care facilities have implemented EMR systems. These systems have many benefits to the health care world. There are eight major features to an EMR system: health and information data, result management, order management, decision support, electronic communication and connectivity, patient support, administrative processes, and reporting. Health information and data gives health care providers immediate access to key information including but not limited to, patient medical history, patient allergies, diagnoses, test results, and medications giving health care providers the ability to make decisions in a timely more efficient manner. Result management gives health care providers the ability to quickly access...
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...Abstract The ethics paper that will be conferred today will explain in detail the various situations that most medical employees deal with on a daily basis. The case study will go over in a detail what a medical Doctor, staff members that work for the Doctor or the patients should do in any health care associated situation. Nowadays, providing patients with excellent patient care has become more pertinent to the lives of the patient’s especially if they are dealing with a specific sickness or disease that cannot be treated. The need for a patient to receive medical treatment can be very cost effective, and the insurance companies have made it very challenging for a patient to obtain medical insurance so that they are able to attain the proper care for their sickness. Ethics Case Study Today, most individuals are advised by private direction to be in agreement with performing illegal medical practice actions. However, if they are new to situations like this they will not be aware that making such decisions can lead to ethical and legal issues. In the case of Jerry McCall it gives an excellent explanation of how the health care departments have been modified today. Does Jerry’s medical training qualify him to issue the refill Order? Why or Why not? Jerry is a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) and has also had training in Medical Assisting (MA) as well, however even though he is a licensed nurse, he is not qualified to write prescriptions for patients’ medications regardless...
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... HSA515 02/20/2015 Provide a detailed summary of your hospital’s organizational structure. Include a tabulated description of the levels of professionals within the organization. Describe the duties of each major head within the organization Diversity Healthcare, Inc., a health care system, operates hospitals, clinics, and practices in Georgia. It offers medical services in the areas of cancer care (oncology), dermatology (skin care) and wound healing, eye care, geriatrics (senior health), heart and vascular services, hospital medicine and critical care, internal medicine and primary care, kidney disease and dialysis, liver disease, mental health, neurology and neurosurgery, and oral surgery; and ear, nose, and throat. The company also provides services in the areas of pain management, patient education programs, pediatric subspecialties, pharmacy, plastic and cosmetic surgery, pulmonary care (lung), radiology and imaging. The levels of professionalism are very high and closely examine. We have many different levels at the Diversity Healthcare Hospital system which includes: Six Administrative Assistant/Office Managers Job Duties: * Answers telephones, screens and routes calls to appropriate persons, takes and distributes messages accurately, and returns phone calls as appropriate, and manage email communication. * Greet clients as they come into office * Assess client’s needs and schedule appointments accordingly * Verify patient information ...
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