Intravenous meds and medical assistants

Jolie, BSN · Sep 20, 2003

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.

Trauma Columnist · Sep 20, 2003

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 · Sep 21, 2003

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.

:nono:

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 · Sep 22, 2003

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, BSN, RN · Sep 22, 2003

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????

Trauma Columnist · Sep 22, 2003

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 · Sep 22, 2003

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 · Oct 14, 2003

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 · Oct 14, 2003

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...

smk1, LPN · Oct 14, 2003

im not a nurse yet (prenursing student) but i have looked over the coursework for medical assisting at my school and a few years back for lpn when it was available. I think that even though some programs are the same in length, what they cover is different. Such as medical assisting is more into medical office terminology and insurance codes and billing (at least the program at my school) and they were not required to complete the same anatomy and physiology classes that lpns or rns take or the same chemistry classes. I would imagine that because their books are different as well they are not taught as in depth in certain clinical areas as a nurse. Again these are just my thoughts as i have looked briefly into both careers before going the RN route.

itsme · Oct 14, 2003

The difference between a medical assistant and an LPN is that an LPN is licensed, passed state boards of nursing, and has a "N" at her initials that stands for NURSE. Show me some medical assistants that make almost 20$ and hour like I do as a LPN.