...vital signs are tested and are found to be within normal range but her respirations, blood pressure and pulse are elevated. After Mrs. Brown is transferred from the EMT’s stretcher to an ER gurney a certified nursing assistant will re-take her vitals and will begin the patient registration process. While Mrs. Brown has never been to this hospital, she does carry a flash drive that contains her electronic health record on her key ring, this flash drive was given to her by her doctor. Since the flash drive was given to her by her doctor it will be safe for the hospital to look at the files. The nursing assistant gets the flash drive from Mrs. Brown and puts it into her portable computer. She is then able to access all of Mrs. Brown’s health records, these records are in a pdf...
Words: 607 - Pages: 3
...The Insured claimed that she was hired as a Front Office Receptionist where she works at a medical office facility called the ChapCare Medical Services company. She said the company that she works with contracts with several qualified health plans to provide primary health care services for an assorted health insurances companies which will accept whatever health insurance coverage plans that the patient has currently. She described her job duties chronologically by starting off by saying that her primary responsibility is to make many phone calls with several health insurance companies for the patient to check for eligibility and the care needed for the patient. The amount of phone calls it takes to fulfill the duties of her position consists...
Words: 1110 - Pages: 5
...Cruz Case Study University of Phoenix Prof. Keegan Physician’s assistants and medical assistants both perform vital acts in a physician’s office. However, both positions differ significantly in scope of practice, ethical and practical duties, responsibilities, and legally authorized extensions. Physician’s assistant duties, scope of practice and the laws applicable to each of these areas varies from state to state. While physician’s assistants perform their duties under the direct supervision of a licensed physician in any area of primary care including surgical and surgical subspecialties, family practice, obstetrics and gynecology, etc. Nevertheless, physician assistants in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands have authorization to prescribe medication (Hooker, 2010). Although this policy evolution occurred over the objections of some physician organizations about expanded prescription authority, the reality is that this change is codified (Hooker, 2010). Because of their intermediary placement within spheres of primary care and medicine itself, physician’s assistants are not immune from ethical dilemmas and/or malpractice, negligence and/or liability (PAC, 2011). Physician’s assistant share many duties, responsibilities as their supervising physician, based upon their training, their experience in the practice, ethical duties given the following case study situation. Although medical assistants perform...
Words: 1169 - Pages: 5
...Ethics Case Study Heather Holcomb University of Phoenix Ethics: Health Care and Social Responsibility HCS 335 Deborah Laughon RN BSN MS DBA January 23, 2012 Ethics Case Study Case Study 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 mediation, called in right away to his pharmacy, since he is leaving for the airport in thirty minutes. He says that Dr. Williams is a personal 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? (Fremgen, 2009). Overview Health care providers are faced with making difficult ethical decisions everyday. Moral and value systems influence the ethical decision process, but the law and licensure regulations do as well. This case study is an example of a potential ethical dilemma and a possible breach of the law. The following questions will be explored: 1. Does Jerry’s medical training qualify him to issue this refill order? 2. Would it make a difference if the medication is for controlling high blood pressure that the patient critically needs on a daily basis? 3. If Jerry calls in the refill and the patient has an adverse reaction while flying, is Jerry protected from a lawsuit under the doctrine of respondent...
Words: 1135 - Pages: 5
...Ethics Case Study: Jerry McCall Evanie N Williams HCS/335 December 31, 2013 University Of Phoenix Ethics Case Study It’s important that those who work in the medical field know their scope of practice and keep within their professions guidelines. The following case study will discuss an issue a medical assistant/LPN has encountered during his shift at Dr. Williams’s office and why the assistant must act under his scope of practice. Case: Jerry McCall is Dr. Williams’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 personal 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. 1) Dose Jerry’s medical training qualify him to issue this refill order? Why or why not? No, Jerry’s medical training does not qualify him to issue refills on the patient’s Valium order. Jerry McCall is both a medical assistant and an LPN (license practical nurse) neither certificate nor license grants the ability to write prescriptions. Medical assistants are unlicensed health care personnel that can only preform non-invasive technical support under the supervision of a licensed...
Words: 799 - Pages: 4
...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...
Words: 1508 - Pages: 7
...Ethics Case Study Jessica Bamsey HCS 335 March 19, 2012 Robert Vella Ethics Case Study The case study described below is one of different opinions. The views explained are those of mine. Someone else may have a different view, which is perfectly normal. This is a case of legal issues and ethical issues. Knowing how to handle oneself in this scenario is critical so that they will not make mistakes when they are put into this situation. The situation involves a medical assistant who is the only person in the office when a patient calls and wants a refill called into the pharmacy. The prescription was for Valium so that he could get on an airplane. The assistant should not call in the order. Jerry’s medical training does not qualify him to refill this order. There are several reasons he is not qualified. One reason is because he is not a doctor. Doctors are the only ones that can prescribe and order refills on prescriptions. Another reason is because is the guy a patient of Dr. Williams or just a personal friend whom he gives medications to. When a person is a medical assistant or an LPN they are there to assist the doctor with taking vitals, discovering why the patient has come to the office, answer phones when necessary, and give shots. They cannot write prescriptions or call them in. It does not matter if it is for a blood pressure medication needed on a daily basis or not. The same rules apply. There are reasons only a doctor can prescribe medication. The reasons...
Words: 763 - Pages: 4
...Ethics Case Study Ranacia Alford HCS/335 Ruby Wesley Shadow In order to make ethical decisions in the medical office setting, everyone should have a clear understanding of their role in the practice. Knowing the scope of their work allows employees to perform their jobs better and to keep from making mistakes that could reflect badly on the liable provider. In the case study that will be discussed, Jerry, the office assistant, is asked to refill a prescription for Valium, a controlled substance, without the doctor’s presence or authorization based on the word of the patient. Does Jerry’s Medical Training Qualify Him to Issue This Refill Order? Why or Why Not? According to the case study, Jerry’s job title is Office Assistant. He has professional training as a medical assistant and a licensed practical nurse. Technically, Jerry’s medical training does qualify him to refill this order. Unfortunately, his current job title disqualifies since the doctor has neither authorized this prescription nor hired him as a nurse. Since Valium is a controlled substance and the patient stated that the doctor calls it in from time to time, there likely are no refills at the pharmacy, thus Jerry would be calling in a new prescription which is completed outside of the scope of his position. Would It Make A Difference If the Medication Was For Controlling High Blood Pressure That the Patient Critically Needs on a Daily Basis? Why or Why Not? As previously stated, Jerry’s current position does...
Words: 1106 - Pages: 5
...An Ethical Case Study: Jerry McCall Heather Sewell HCS335 November 4, 2013 Susan Kajfasz An Ethical Case Study: Jerry McCall The Jerry McCall case study involves a health care worker who is a medical assistant and LPN and b faces a legal and ethical decision when a patient insists on a prescription of Valium while Jerry is in the office alone. Jerry must decide how to provide the patient with what he needs while maintaining the law and his ethical values. Jerry McCall, although he received professional training as a medical assistant and an LPN, is not qualified to refill a prescription for a patient. According to New York State Law, LPNs are not allowed to work independently. The law “requires LPNs to practice under the direction of a registered professional nurse, nurse practitioner, physician, dentist, physician assistant, specialist assistant, podiatrist, or midwife” (Office of the Professions, n.d.). Jerry is aware of the rules and regulations concerning prescriptions and should not be intimidated by a pushy patient. Rules and laws are in place to protect both patients from injury and health care workers from malpractice. The law covers all medications because a patient can have an adverse reaction to even a common medication which is why all prescriptions must be ordered by licensed professionals. It does not matter whether the patient requests a daily medication such as a blood pressure medication or Valium as in Jerry’s case. The only legal way that...
Words: 981 - Pages: 4
...Ethics Case Study Sandra Childers HCS/335 January 16, 2012 Patricia Tobin. PhD, LCSW Ethics Case Study This paper discusses the dilemma of Jerry McCall. Jerry, office assistant of Dr. Williams, is a trained medical assistant and Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). While covering the front desk while the receptionist was out to lunch, a patient and friend of Dr. Williams calls requesting a refill order for Valium. The friend is taking a trip by plane and takes the Valium when he flies. There are questions that arise from this scenario. Is Jerry qualified to fulfill this request? If the refill was for a different medication such as blood pressure medication would it make a difference? What are the legal ramifications should there be any harmful reactions? Does the doctrine of respondeat superior protect Jerry from any lawsuits? The answers to these questions are discussed within this paper. As a medical assistant Jerry McCall is trained to perform administrative and medical duties to maintain the smooth operation of the healthcare facility. He reports to the office manager and the physician, as he goes about performing his duties. Medical assistants are not physician’s assistants and do not have the training that a physician’s assistant has to examine, diagnose, and treat patients. As a medical assistant the administrative duties include updating and filing medical records, complete insurance claim forms, set up hospital admissions and lab appointments. When acting...
Words: 777 - Pages: 4
...Ethics Case Study Kathy Conway HCS/335 January 0, 2012 James Dockins Ethics Case Study The role of the office medical assistant varies greatly from not only state to state but from office to office as well. Most states however do require some type of formal training and there are different levels of what the assistant is allowed to do depending on the levels of education and certifications. Medical assistants are not the same as physician assistants and so the medical assistant requires a physician to be present when treating a patient. The role of most medical assistants is more of an administrative nature, they work alongside the physician and other staff member doing what is necessary to ensure the smooth operation of the practice (London, 2011). There are many things an office assistant can do to assist in the daily operations of a physician’s practice besides answering a telephone. They may help obtain the patients health histories, the reason for that day’s visit, and the taking of vital signs. They are allowed to do so because the physician is right there in the office and not outside the building (London, 2011). Jerry McCall Jerry McCall has a big dilemma because he is the only one in the office at the time a call comes into the office for a last minute refill of a prescription. The dilemma is that the patient needs a prescription of Valium refilled before he heads to the airport and only has a very...
Words: 730 - Pages: 3
...Ethics Case Study 1 Lynette A. Volk HCS/335 March 31st, 2-14 Beryl Keegan Abstract Jerry McCall is an employee in a medical office for a Dr. Williams and is professionally trained as both a medical assistant and as a licensed practical purse. While Jerry is alone in the office and the receptionist is at lunch, a patient calls and is requesting a refill for an antidepressant medication, Valium, and states he needs the refill right away, as he is leaving for the airport in 30 minutes. The patient is stating that the doctor is a personal friend of his and that the doctor always orders him a small supply before flying. Jerry must wrestle with the ethical dilemma of what he wants to do and what is legally and ethically the correct thing to do. This paper will determine that Jerry is not legally qualified to refill the valium, or any other medication as it is not within his scope of practice. Ethics Case Study 1 Jerry McCall’s professional training as an LPN and medical assistant does not qualify him to refill the valium order for a patient because it isn’t within a medical assistant’s or an LPN’s scope of practice. Only a physician or physician’s assistant can prescribe and refill prescriptions because they are trained to do so. Jerry has been formally trained and therefore knows what he is not qualified to refill any medications, especially valium, a antidepressant and a controlled substance. It doesn’t make a difference whether it was controlled substance, a blood...
Words: 352 - Pages: 2
...Ethics Case Study Kimberly Bellas HCS/335 September 22, 2014 Instructor: Robert Vella Ethics 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...
Words: 855 - Pages: 4
...Case Study Andre J. Hopp HCS/335 September 24, 2013 Frieda Taylor Case Study Today’s health care system is larger and busier than ever. Increased demand for services coupled with a limited number of providers, creates unique demands on an already strained system. Medical practices rely heavily on staff members to perform a myriad of function, both clinical and administrative. Occasionally, staff members may be asked by either physician or patients to perform duties that fall outside their scope of practice. Should an unqualified employee choose to operate outside his or her scope of practice, they run the risk of committing both negligent and criminal acts. In the case study of Jerry McCall, an office assistant with limited medical training, one sees a clear case of negligent and criminal conduct. The case study presents a scenario where an office assistant in a private physician’s office is asked by a patient to authorize a prescription for a Schedule III controlled medication. Additional information reveals that he is currently the only person in the office. Although Jerry is a Licensed Practical Nurse and medical assistant, his training does not permit him to prescribe medications of any type. Medications may only by prescribed by licensed providers who hold a valid registration with the Drug Enforcement Administration. This is typically limited to physicians, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners. There does however, exist a situation win which it...
Words: 813 - Pages: 4
...Ethics Case Study Name HCS/335 Date Professor Ethics Case Study Today’s healthcare professionals are immersed in an ever-changing 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...
Words: 1380 - Pages: 6
