Ethics Case Study
Ethics Case Study
HCS/335
November 26, 2012
Terry Matherne
Ethics Case Study 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
HCS/335
November 26, 2012
Terry Matherne
Ethics Case Study 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
References: Fremgen, B. F. (2009). Medical law and ethics (3rd ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall. Wade, A. L. (2012, March 6). The Common Law Doctrine of Respondeat Superior. Retrieved from http://sanjoselitigationandlawsuites.com/7791/the-common-law-doctrine-of-respondeat-superior