In the scenario Jerry McCall is Dr.
Williams office assistant. Jerry has received training for a medical assistant and licensed practical Nurse. Although Jerry is handling the incoming calls while the receptionist is at lunch a patient of Dr. Williams had called in the office and stated that he needed two refill an antidepressant and Valium right away because he is leaving the airport within 30 minutes. The patient states that Dr.
Williams always gives him a small supply of Valium when he goes to fly. Does Jerry have the correct medical training to refill this type of prescription?If it were another type of medication, such as high blood pressure to be ordered to take on daily basis would this make a difference for Jerry to call in the refill? I f Jerry calls in the prescription and the patient has a reaction while flying is Jerry protected from a lawsuit under the doctrine of respondeat superior? Jerry is the only one in the office at the time the patient requested for a refill he is not qualified to issue the refill order. A physician is the only one who is required to write out a prescription refill.However, if the physician has written the order Jerry would be able to call in the request refill for his antidepressant and Valium. No matter what type of medication that a patient needs if it is PRN or prescribed to be taken on daily basis without a written prescription within the facility are allowed to call in the prescription without a physicians consent.
According to Wade, (2012) the common law doctrine of Respondeat Superior makes an employer liable for the actions of an employee when the actions take place within the scope of employment.Under this type of law Jerry would not be covered in the doctrine of Respondeant Superior if Jerry calls in the refill and the patient has a reaction to either medication while flying. The Respndeant Superior requires employees to act under the scope of his or her training or profession. If Jerry calls in the medication he will be out of his scope of practice because he is not qualified to call in any medication without a physicians consent.
My advice to Jerry is to take the patients name and number and let him or her know that he is not able to call in the prescription without a physicians consent first. I will inform the patient who I will notify the physician that you needed the medication called into the pharmacy before he or she goes on his or her flight. Jerry could be legally sued for malpractice and prescription fraud if he decides to call in the medication without the physicians consent. He could also reined creditability of the doctor's office.The problem-solving method that would be helpful making an ethical decision in this scenario would be maintaining a professional and honest According to Fremgen, (2009) he needs to remember his code of ethics within the medical field and not filling the prescription knowing that this is not in his scope of practice. Jerry needs to ensure that he is following the regulations for the facility.
He also cannot depend on the patient saying that he or she is the physicians friend.He or she could be telling this to Jerry just to get the prescription filled no matter what he needs to keep in mind what his job requirements are. All health care providers needs to ensure that he or she knows his or her job requirements without knowing what he or she is to do or not to do could result in a lawsuit. Always practice professional ethics in the workplace. Being polite and explaining to patients what is right or wrong will aware all patients that he or she are doing what is correct according to the law. Never practice something that does not meet the requirements of the degree.
