PA-C's on L&D

Dave ARNP · Feb 28, 2004

Useless? That strikes me as quite ignorant. I've worked with PAs in the Army and the ED who were quite good. I question anyone's judgment who makes rash generalizations like that.
randy srna

Thanks for sharing that.

I know just where to file it.

-Dave

sbic56, BSN, RN · Feb 28, 2004

Useless? That strikes me as quite ignorant. I've worked with PAs in the Army and the ED who were quite good. I question anyone's judgment who makes rash generalizations like that.
randy srna

I have worked with some very good PA's as well. I don't understnd the attack on PA's either.

Dave ARNP · Feb 28, 2004

Sorry,

but IMHO, PA's lack much essential training to perform daily functions and make responsible decisions during the practice of medicine.

The good ones have learned from the ol' Monkey See, Monkey Do. Monkey might be able to do it, but I want that monkey to know what, WHEN, WHERE and WHY.

This really isn't the place for this debate. It's really not a debate that will ever be settled. So lets just leave it at that.

-Dave

sbic56, BSN, RN · Feb 28, 2004

I didn't want a debate, but why are you looking to have the last word here? I just know PA's who are very talented and don't consider them monkeys at all. It really isn't debatable. It's kind of like saying diploma nurses are not as knowlegable as ADN's. Not provable and quite futile and foolish to try to do so.

**canoehead, BSN, RN** · Feb 28, 2004

The Pa's at my hospital I would trust with my life. They are better in a code than all but one of the docs. However, they might deliver a precipitous baby once every five years, so no, I don't think they should do OB. If they decided to be trained and practice-absolutely they would do a great job. But so would about 50 % of the L&D RN's that are already here. With a precipitous birth in OB the RN does the baby catching, and the PA is called if she needs med orders. Well..sometimes the PA is called AFTER the med is given (PPH/Pitocin) but who keeps track??

BRANDY LPN · Feb 28, 2004

In the army hosp that I worked at PA's did a rotation through L/D just like the residents, now I dont know how many of these rotations they did but their scedule was similar to the residents/interns, they did deliveries and assisted in c/s.

But even in my small rural hosp with no OBs we dont use em just the FPs.

sbic56, BSN, RN · Feb 28, 2004

The Pa's at my hospital I would trust with my life. They are better in a code than all but one of the docs. However, they might deliver a precipitous baby once every five years, so no, I don't think they should do OB. If they decided to be trained and practice-absolutely they would do a great job. But so would about 50 % of the L&D RN's that are already here. With a precipitous birth in OB the RN does the baby catching, and the PA is called if she needs med orders. Well..sometimes the PA is called AFTER the med is given (PPH/Pitocin) but who keeps track??

ITA. I have met some pretty lousy NP's, RN's, OB's, what have you, but that says nothing for the majority. If PA's are experienced in L&D, they would be every bit as capable as any other person with the same training and expertise.

yersinia21 · Feb 29, 2004

No Ob/Gyn doctor in her right mind would ever allow a PA-C, under her supervision, to deliver babies in L&D. A Physician Assistant is expected to perform with similar skill and competency and to be evaluated by the same standards as the physician in the performance of assigned duties.

What? You obviously have no experience with PAs. Its commonplace for docs to let their PAs deliver babies solo with the doc on pager if complications arise.

Your wife is correct in saying that "they can do just about anything their doc will let them do." But, if I were her I would check with her malpractice carrier to see what they say. It could cause her rates to go up dramatically.

You obviously dont understand malpractice insurance. They cover the doc, not the PA. The doc is ultimately responsible for the patient, not the PA.

Also, hospitals have a say in the scope of practice for PAs in their facility. No hospital, that I know of, would allow this - some still have problems with CNMs in the delivery room because it is such a high risk area.
It's a bad idea!

Once again, bad information. Most hospitals DO ALLOW PAS to deliver babies. Its up to the docs discretion as to what the PAs can do or not do.

fergus51 · Feb 29, 2004

The insurance companies did fiscal analysis and outcome studies which showed that PAs can competently deliver babies with no increase in poor outcomes and at increased cost savings.
I suppose you are still going to stick to your mantra that all PAs are "useless" as you put it, desptie the fact that research has been published showing your assumptions to be bullshit.

Do you have any links to this research? Obviously PAs don't do deliveries in most hospitals or there wouldn't be so few nurses who know about them.

By the way, the terms of service of this bb prohibit name calling and other rudeness. You may want to look those up before continuing to post.

Dave ARNP · Feb 29, 2004

Deleted by user

fergus51 · Feb 29, 2004

Why are we drawing so many freaks lately? It's been a troll haven in the last little while.

BETSRN · Feb 29, 2004

I certainly do NOT think it is standard practice for PA's to be delivering babies.