Ethics Case Study

Ethics Case Study

HCA/325

August 25, 2012

Ethics Case Study

Jerry McCall was asked to take over the office while Dr. Williams was away, upon doing so he got a call from a patient requiring that his prescription to be refilled. According to the information, Jerry McCall is trained only as a medical assistant and Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) with these credentials he is not qualified to make decisions of issuing prescription drugs. Dr. Williams did not leave any information letting him know if someone called for refills he would have the permission to call in the prescription for a refill. If there is a current prescription in the patients medical record Jerry McCall can call in the prescription.

“Generally, there is latitude given to a supervising physician in the physician’s delegation authority, but which acts may be delegated greatly depends upon the education and experience of the person to whom the acts are being delegated. However, a physician may not delegate the exercise of independent medical judgment or treatment. Furthermore, a physician must adequately supervise the activities of those acting under the physician’s supervision, and may not delegate professional medical responsibility or acts to a person if the physician knows or has reason to know that the person is not qualified by training, experience, or license to perform the responsibility or acts.” ("Texas Medical Association Delegation Of Duties By A Physician To A Nonphysician ", 2010).

Staying within the law, Jerry McCall it is not warranted for medical assistants to call to have a new prescription done or any medication without the physicians permission, because the medication may have changed. According to the health care law, only physicians, dentist, podiatrist, surgeon's, and clinical pharmacist are allowed because they have the necessary license's to practice to give the patient prescription's.

Ethics Case Study

In this case, the patient has stated that he or...