Do you verify MD/NP license before initiating school medication forms ?

Published

Specializes in Telemetry, Orthopedic, M Surg, School RN.

A family that I have sent multiple request to submit medication and forms, sent in medication today. I was not aware of what type of health care provider wrote the order so I ended up searching for their license number in my state.

Cant find it.

A different physician is listed on the pharmacy label.

I called the pharmacy that filled the order, they say that both providers work in the same office.

Looked up the MD. First initial and last name. License expired.

I'm going to call back the pharmacy for MD full name and address...to verify. Not sure why my state does not require prescribers to include their license numbers.

Anyone experiencing this?

Specializes in ICU/community health/school nursing.

WOW - good catch! I have never even thought to do this. I only check if the provider does not have MD, DO or ARNP or PA-C by the name...

Specializes in Home Health,Dialysis, MDS, School Nurse.

Benefits of a small community. I very rarely get something from a doc I don't know.

Specializes in Telemetry, Orthopedic, M Surg, School RN.
1 minute ago, ruby_jane said:

WOW - good catch! I have never even thought to do this. I only check if the provider does not have MD, DO or ARNP or PA-C by the name...

Thanks so much! I was here second guessing myself.

When I called the pharmacy, they gave me an NPI number. When I looked it up, the provider's office is from out of state.

Specializes in ICU/community health/school nursing.
57 minutes ago, RNTadaaaa said:

Thanks so much! I was here second guessing myself.

When I called the pharmacy, they gave me an NPI number. When I looked it up, the provider's office is from out of state.

Never second guess your nursing Spidey Sense.

Specializes in School Nursing, Ambulatory Care, etc..

Tadaa - I've never thought about it. I've verified doctor's notes but never thought about 'scripts.

What's your next step?

Specializes in Telemetry, Orthopedic, M Surg, School RN.
12 minutes ago, BunnyBunnyBSNRN said:

Tadaa - I've never thought about it. I've verified doctor's notes but never thought about 'scripts.

What's your next step?

I have to notify the parent that I can't accept it unfortunately. My state lists authorized subscribers "as persons licensed under (my) state law to provide healthcare to individuals and prescribe medication".

I only called the pharmacy because the Prescriber that entered the script was not the same one that wrote the school medication administration order and I was not familiar with the credentials.

I can't verify that they are in the same practice either.

I would've preferred to speak to the Physician or NP directly but they are several states away...

It stinks because the student should have the med available and I've been working on this for a while. Parents are not very transparent about what the issue is in obtaining the medication the kid needs.

We live in a military town with a very transient population. I would frequently get medication from an out of state pharmacy and doctor with the medication form signed by a local physician. I never thought twice about it.

Specializes in Telemetry, Orthopedic, M Surg, School RN.
16 minutes ago, grammy1 said:

We live in a military town with a very transient population. I would frequently get medication from an out of state pharmacy and doctor with the medication form signed by a local physician. I never thought twice about it.

Hey grammy1. That makes sense especially considering your population. And you have a local physician signing off. Double good!

My family has been here for more than two years(teachers tell me) and is slow to bring in Albuterol and Epi. Not sure why they would still be requesting meds from physicians that are several states away.

NYC schools wouldn't take orders from health care providers not licensed in NY. My current state's laws seem to support that protocol but the wording is muddy.

I ended requesting that the parent provide a local pedi they last visited that I could contact for orders.

Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

I can tell you that in my area, we have few PCPs taking new patients. It is not unusual to wait up to one year for an appt to establish care.

Specializes in Telemetry, Orthopedic, M Surg, School RN.
2 hours ago, traumaRUs said:

I can tell you that in my area, we have few PCPs taking new patients. It is not unusual to wait up to one year for an appt to establish care.

Very very true. This was the case in my home state as well but they provided means to assist children in getting medication and school orders in. I am still discovering what community resources are available in this state.

In this situation, I am discovering that there are some additional factors which are contributing to my apprehension. I am trying to be as accommodating as possible, while still adhering to the protocols that protect this student and myself as well.

Specializes in Adult Primary Care.

It could be a family member several states away writing the Rx, who doesn't actually see the child. I'm not in school nursing, but I have some primary patients that have done this!!!!!

+ Join the Discussion