[quest33]

How can I found out which states allow medical assitants to give IV medications?

[Jolie]

Check with the state Boards of Nursing and Medicine. I know of no hospital where this would be permitted (yet!). But in doctor's offices and clinics it is a different story. As I understand it, medical assistants have essentially free reign in offices and clinics as long as they are functioning under the supervision of the physician.

[traumaRUs]

Yes in MD offices and clinics it is allowed, but shouldn't be. My son had an anaphylactic reaction to an allergy shot in the allergists's office - they didn't even have an epi-pen! I had to use my own. Plus, they all panicked, screaming, "call 911" - they didn't even know the ABC's, CPR, nothing!!! No crash cart, no drugs, no nothing!!!! I dealt with the emergency (I'm an ER RN and filed a grievance with the state board and now this doctor at least does employ RN's. Unbelievable what someone with a couple of weeks of OJT are allowed to do.

[RN~in~CT]

Originally posted by traumaRUs
Yes in MD offices and clinics it is allowed, but shouldn't be. My son had an anaphylactic reaction to an allergy shot in the allergists's office - they didn't even have an epi-pen! I had to use my own. Plus, they all panicked, screaming, "call 911" - they didn't even know the ABC's, CPR, nothing!!! No crash cart, no drugs, no nothing!!!! I dealt with the emergency (I'm an ER RN and filed a grievance with the state board and now this doctor at least does employ RN's. Unbelievable what someone with a couple of weeks of OJT are allowed to do.

YIKES ~ that office is a lawsuit waiting to happen.

Who administered the allergy shots to your son?? I used to work in an allergy office, and the RN's did the allergy testing and injections. In addition, we had a crash cart ~ as antiquated as it may have been ~ but it was stocked w/ all emergency meds, IV Jelcos, airways, intubation equip...etc. Plus each room had a vial of epi, and staff were re-cert in CPR annually.

Any chance of changing allergists ~ to an office that is prepared for emergencies??

[Sekar]

Medical Assistants should NOT be allowed to handle medications of any sort in any environment. The handling of medications should be only be done by licensed personnel PERIOD. I don't care if they get "pharmacology training", the principles of medication administration, or a secret decoder ring. The administration of medications is risky and should only be done by those trained AND licensed to administer them. Certain states may allow unlicensed assistive personnel to administer meds, but then certain states also allow the dumping of toxic chemicals into rivers. Neither practice is reasonable, logical, or even remotely safe. Medication errors cannot be completely eliminated but making licensure the minimum standard for administering medications, the errors can be kept to a minimum.

[gwenith]

Any fool can give a medication but it takes training and experience to fully and correctly predict and evaluate the effect of that medication on the patient. THAT is why it should only be given by license personnel. Add to the dangers listed above what, training has a medical assistant have in infection control, drug admixtures and evaluation of the IV site????

[traumaRUs]

The incident with the allergist was in Indy about 10 years ago. Medical assistants should be answering phones and giving patients gowns to put on, not administering meds.

[quest33]

Thank you for your thoughtful insight. I think I found my new quest of finding out which states allow this to go on and how IV drug adminstration can be more regulated. I wonder what the percentage of drug errors in non-licensed professionals is up to.

[Quita]

I am a certified medical assistant and I must say we go to school just as long as LPN's ,so why shouldn't we be able to give injections. LPN's and medical assistant's have basically the same duties on their job and get paid about the same thing so why shouldn't we give injections.

[jadednurse]

Originally posted by Quita
LPN's and medical assistant's have basically the same duties on their job and get paid about the same thing so why shouldn't we give injections.

Then why the distinction in roles/titles? No flames, just curious. I have very limited experience w/ medical assistants...