I apologize if this already has been discussed elsewhere, but wanted to point out the following:
I was in my MD's office for a physical and wanted two vaccines before international travel. The NON-nurse "medical assistant"--UNlicensed in NY--came in to administer the vaccines and I told her she was violating the law--she said she does it every day as part of her job! I told the MD I would get my vaccines elsewhere. Apparently this practice is rampant--at least here in NYC. MD Offices don't want to pay for patient safety by having a licensed nurse. ADMINISTRATION of medications is restricted BY LAW to licensed MDs, RNs/LPNs, and some others, but NOT "medical assistants." Have the Nursing Associations thought about cracking down on this? I do NOT think I'm being petty: administrating a medication--particularly, via injection--is serious stuff---in this case, she was going to use incorrect needles (assuming of course that she didn't plan on using the SAME needle for BOTH vaccines), amongst other errors...Upset about this. It's NOT brain surgery, but there are serious risks with all medications, which is why legally only specified licensed personnel may administer them. Your thoughts? Thanks.