Based on the situation above, what are the ethical and
legal implications for the practice at the micro-, meso-,
and macro-level of the system?
There are many questions to ask to have a clear understanding of
what occurred. At the microsystem level, the focus should be on
which of the medical assistants interacted with the patient over
the phone and entered the prescribed medication in the electronic
health record (EHR) system. Why is the current EHR system
allowing a non-licensed medical professional to enter medication
information in the patient’s chart? Is this a normal procedure in
the organization? At the mesosystem level, it is necessary to
determine if the medical assistant was ordered by a non-licensed
superior to enter the prescription into the system. Why was the
medical assistant assuring the patient that the medication was
going to be available? When was the last time this patient was
seen at the clinic? How much medication was prescribed for one
week? Is the cough related to a bacterial or viral infection? The
patient needs to be made aware of the mistake made by the
staff?
Complete a physical assessment and verification that the patient
does not have a medical history of heart, lung, circulation, or kidney
conditions that could induce cough. Have a complete blood work
panel and have an EKG 12 with leads done to prevent injury to the
patient. Guarantee that the patient will receive the appropriate
medical care for the current medical condition before leaving the
clinic. At the macrosystem level, it would focus on whether the
patient was harmed by receiving inappropriate prescription
medication and whether the patient is stable and out of danger. How
can we prevent the event from happening again? If the information
entered was not approved by a licensed medical care professional,
the non-licensed medical staff should be dismissed immediately, and
all their medical entries in the EHR should be audited to prevent any
harm to other patients.
What changes do you recommend to prevent further
episodes of the problem behavior?
The EHR system should be modified, and restrictions to the patient’s
chart should be implemented right away so that non-licensed
personnel do not have access certain areas. The staff should be
trained in the new changes. New guidelines and policies should be
instituted to prevent future events. If the medical assistant is not at
fault because they are authorized by the organization to enter refill
medication in the EHR, they should be educated. They should be
educated on the risks of prescribing medication without the consent
of licensed medical staff and the legal consequences they would
face if this happens again.
legal implications for the practice at the micro-, meso-,
and macro-level of the system?
There are many questions to ask to have a clear understanding of
what occurred. At the microsystem level, the focus should be on
which of the medical assistants interacted with the patient over
the phone and entered the prescribed medication in the electronic
health record (EHR) system. Why is the current EHR system
allowing a non-licensed medical professional to enter medication
information in the patient’s chart? Is this a normal procedure in
the organization? At the mesosystem level, it is necessary to
determine if the medical assistant was ordered by a non-licensed
superior to enter the prescription into the system. Why was the
medical assistant assuring the patient that the medication was
going to be available? When was the last time this patient was
seen at the clinic? How much medication was prescribed for one
week? Is the cough related to a bacterial or viral infection? The
patient needs to be made aware of the mistake made by the
staff?
Complete a physical assessment and verification that the patient
does not have a medical history of heart, lung, circulation, or kidney
conditions that could induce cough. Have a complete blood work
panel and have an EKG 12 with leads done to prevent injury to the
patient. Guarantee that the patient will receive the appropriate
medical care for the current medical condition before leaving the
clinic. At the macrosystem level, it would focus on whether the
patient was harmed by receiving inappropriate prescription
medication and whether the patient is stable and out of danger. How
can we prevent the event from happening again? If the information
entered was not approved by a licensed medical care professional,
the non-licensed medical staff should be dismissed immediately, and
all their medical entries in the EHR should be audited to prevent any
harm to other patients.
What changes do you recommend to prevent further
episodes of the problem behavior?
The EHR system should be modified, and restrictions to the patient’s
chart should be implemented right away so that non-licensed
personnel do not have access certain areas. The staff should be
trained in the new changes. New guidelines and policies should be
instituted to prevent future events. If the medical assistant is not at
fault because they are authorized by the organization to enter refill
medication in the EHR, they should be educated. They should be
educated on the risks of prescribing medication without the consent
of licensed medical staff and the legal consequences they would
face if this happens again.
