chemo without MD present?

[sapphirelake]

I'm a registered nurse in Florida. I worked in an outpatient chemo clinic for a few years in the mid 90s. At that time, our practice required a doctor to be in the office if the nurses were giving chemo. I am considering a job at a different onc clinic in which the doctor isnt always present when chemo is being given. Is that an acceptable practice these days? Thanks for your input!

[schlemj]

In the clinic i work at our policy is that for certain treatments (which are most of them) a doctor is required to be present. some treatments like bisphosphonates, gemzar, navelbine, 5FU don't require a doctor to be present. Every new treatment requires a doctor and most of the other meds require a doctor due to the potential for an allergic reaction. The treatments that don't require a doctor require a PA or nurse practioner. We have to have a provider we never do any treatments (even epos, port draws) with only nurses present, not only safety issues but I believe medicare guide lines or billing rules or something.

[sapphirelake]

To schlemj: Thanks for your reply. I thought there needed to be a doctor present. I felt uncomfortable not having one, especially since the oncology population is mainly medicare age. I wonder how they are billing for treatments when the MD isn't present...sounds like a practice which I'd rather not be involved. I appreciate your advice!

[prowlingMA]

IN our clinic we can't start and IV, access port, or draw blood until there is a doc in the building. I don't know if this is just our policy or a law.

[sapphirelake]

Thanks for the info...based on the replies I've gotten from various sources, I declined the position. Eveyone has given the same advice. Thanks again!