...Kimberly McGeehan University of Phoenix HCS/335 Professor William Bross July 3, 2011 Ethics Case Study Introduction There are two things first to understand about ethics. First, ethics refers to well-founded standards of right and wrong that tells what individuals should do, in terms of the right, obligations, benefits to society, fairness, or specific virtues. Ethical standards include those that are virtue of honesty, compassion, and loyalty. Ethics are adequate standards of because they are supported by consistent and founded reasons. The second thing about ethics refers to the study and development of one's ethical standards. Feelings, laws, and social norms can deviate from what is ethical. 1. Does Jerry’s medical training qualify him to issue this refill order? Why or why not? Jerry’s medical training does not qualify him to issue a refill order because the patient’s physician is the only one that can issue a prescription and in this case Jerry is not this patient’s physician. Supposing Jerry called in a prescription, and the patient had an adverse reaction, there would be a big lawsuit against Jerry. Not only Jerry, but his employer also would be facing malpractice. If an employee makes a mistake then it is the employer is responsible for the actions of their employees. Jerry should explain to the patients that he is not authorized to issue any prescriptions of any kind. 2. Would it make a difference if the medication requested were for control of high...
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...Ethics of Publishing Studies on Modern Societies Throughout the years anthropologists have been asking tough questions about the ethics involved in studying other cultures. Many answers to these tough questions have been given, but few of these answers are shared universally by anthropologists. Anthropologists have come to follow a set of guidelines based strongly on anonymity and objectivism, but as the world grows into a more modern state these guidelines must be reviewed and questioned as the nature of research changes. Two separate ethnographies detailed in the essays “The Anthropological Looking Glass” and “Grief and a Headhunter’s Rage” written and performed by Nancy Scheper-Hughes and Renato Rosaldo, respectively, show the broad range of consequences that occur in the societies under study when following similar ethical codes of conduct. More specifically, the change that may occur in these societies is a result of the publishing of the studies, not necessarily the act of performing the study in and of itself. The current code of ethics shared by the anthropological community is ill equipped to deal with studies involving modern societies. Modern societies, those that are well connected with the world outside of them, are exposed to cultural interference from the publication of ethnographies performed on them. This interference can cause change in a subject society’s normal and natural rate and direction of cultural growth. Cultural interference and the change imposed in...
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...Ethics Case Study Heather Holcomb University of Phoenix Ethics: Health Care and Social Responsibility HCS 335 Deborah Laughon RN BSN MS DBA January 23, 2012 Ethics Case Study Case Study Jerry McCall is Dr. William’s office assistant. He has received professional training as both a medical assistant and a LPN. He is handling all the phone calls while the receptionist is at lunch. A patient calls and says he must have a prescription refill for Valium, an antidepressant mediation, called in right away to his pharmacy, since he is leaving for the airport in thirty minutes. He says that Dr. Williams is a personal friend and always gives him a small supply of Valium when he has to fly. No one except Jerry is in the office at this time. What should he do? (Fremgen, 2009). Overview Health care providers are faced with making difficult ethical decisions everyday. Moral and value systems influence the ethical decision process, but the law and licensure regulations do as well. This case study is an example of a potential ethical dilemma and a possible breach of the law. The following questions will be explored: 1. Does Jerry’s medical training qualify him to issue this refill order? 2. Would it make a difference if the medication is for controlling high blood pressure that the patient critically needs on a daily basis? 3. If Jerry calls in the refill and the patient has an adverse reaction while flying, is Jerry protected from a lawsuit under the doctrine of respondent...
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...Ethics Case Study Tina Marie Gaddie HCS 335 Edna Wilkerson June 20,2011 Ethics Case Study It is important to understand that in this case, valium is not an anti-depressant because it can actually cause or worsen the patient’s depression. Another issue to understand is that Jerry does not have any authority to provide medical prescriptions. According to medical law and ethics, the doctors or other authorizing people such as PA or LNP must approve all medication refills. What Jerry could do is to call Dr. Williams and inform him on what his client wants because doctors carry their cell phones because they are aware they might be needed in the office at any time. In case, Jerry will get approval from Dr. Williams, then he will go ahead and issue this refill order. In case, he will issue without consultation of Dr. Williams, then he will be in big trouble because it is against medical laws. Does Jerry’s medical training qualify him to issue this refill order? Why or why not? Actually, Jerry’s medical training does not qualify him to issue this refill order because he is not qualified to issue out the valium prescription. Being both assistant medical and LNP, means that he is not qualified to issue refill order. This is because it is not his work but the work of medical doctors who qualify to issue this refill. Even though Jerry may call Dr. Williams, it may be hard to be given prescription because there is what we call informed consent in medical ethics (Hall and Bobinski...
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...Ethics Case Study Sandra Childers HCS/335 January 16, 2012 Patricia Tobin. PhD, LCSW Ethics Case Study This paper discusses the dilemma of Jerry McCall. Jerry, office assistant of Dr. Williams, is a trained medical assistant and Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). While covering the front desk while the receptionist was out to lunch, a patient and friend of Dr. Williams calls requesting a refill order for Valium. The friend is taking a trip by plane and takes the Valium when he flies. There are questions that arise from this scenario. Is Jerry qualified to fulfill this request? If the refill was for a different medication such as blood pressure medication would it make a difference? What are the legal ramifications should there be any harmful reactions? Does the doctrine of respondeat superior protect Jerry from any lawsuits? The answers to these questions are discussed within this paper. As a medical assistant Jerry McCall is trained to perform administrative and medical duties to maintain the smooth operation of the healthcare facility. He reports to the office manager and the physician, as he goes about performing his duties. Medical assistants are not physician’s assistants and do not have the training that a physician’s assistant has to examine, diagnose, and treat patients. As a medical assistant the administrative duties include updating and filing medical records, complete insurance claim forms, set up hospital admissions and lab appointments. When acting...
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...Ethics Case Study Susan M. Brandt HCS/335 February 12, 2012 Professor Beryl Keegan University of Phoenix/Axia Ethics Case Study When we look at health care professionals they are immersed in ever-changing environments. In this case study it is important to know and understand how people face different situations within their everyday lives. Health care has been the main focus for individuals that have anything wrong with them such as an illness or a disease. People that are going through something like this go through a lot and they all have different ways of dealing with the issues. Organizational ethics should also influence both role conflict and mindfulness (Valentine, Godkin, & Varca, July). There are two things that we must understand when it comes to understanding ethics. First, ethics refers to the well-founded standards of both doing right and wrong this tells us what individuals should do, when looking at terms of the right, obligations that benefits to society, fairness or specific virtues. Ethical standards include those that are virtue of honesty, compassion, and loyalty. Ethics are adequate standards of because they are supported by consistent and founded reasons. The second thing to take into consideration about ethics is that ethics refers to the study and development of one's ethical standards. Feelings, laws, and social norms can deviate from what is ethical. 1. Does Jerry’s medical training qualify him...
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...Ethics Case Study Jennifer Edwards HCS/335 February 20, 2014 Dr. Lena Watson University of Phoenix Ethics Case Study: Background and Medical Training In the case study Jerry is an office assistant for Dr. William’s office. Jerry’s professional skill and training is in medical assistance and licensed practical nurse (LPN). At the time of day, the receptionist in Dr. Williams’s office was at lunch. In Jerry’s satisfaction he was in the position where he could be used the most, answering phones. A patient calls asking for a refill on the prescription drug Valium an antidepressant medication. The patient is asking for this prescription called in right away before leaving for the airport in thirty minutes. The patient states he is a personal friend of Dr. Williams and the doctor has always given him a small supply of Valium when he has to fly. Jerry’s training does not qualify him to make refilled medication request for patients. Because Jerry is not trained to look at the last clinical from the doctor, the dosage Jerry may or may not give the patient will cause an adverse effect. Prescription management based on the patients’ needs will be based on the recommendation of the physician. One must take in to account the age of the patient, disorder and other important information (not mentioned), Jerry may find it hard to give the correct dosage to the pharmacists. Valium and Controlled medications The issue of calling...
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...Ethics Case Study HCS478 January 6, 2010 Barbara Scheibe, RNC, MSN Ethics Case Study Healthcare professionals are faced with ethical dilemmas and issues on a regular basis especially in the emergency department. The purpose of this paper is to identify ethical issues within a case study. This case study involves an eight month old infant who presents to the emergency department with injuries. After arriving at the emergency department it is noted that the infant has bilateral fractured femurs. The ethical issue identified within this case study is the possibility of child abuse by either the mother or a worker at the daycare facility. The nurse makes notes of her concerns within the patients chart as well as verbalizes concern to the emergency room physician regarding the injuries to the infant. It appears to be a lack of follow-up with these concerns so this presents an ethical issue. There are eight ethical principles that a nurse should learn to apply to each situation that he or she feels there is an ethical decision that needs to be made. The eight principles to apply are autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, veracity, fidelity, justice, paternalism, and respect for others (Guido, 2010). Within the nursing field advocacy plays a critical role in keeping the patients safe throughout their encounters with the health care system (Beyea, 2005). One of the conflicts noted in the situation listed is, more research should have been conducted to investigate...
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...Ethics Case Study Jessica Bamsey HCS 335 March 19, 2012 Robert Vella Ethics Case Study The case study described below is one of different opinions. The views explained are those of mine. Someone else may have a different view, which is perfectly normal. This is a case of legal issues and ethical issues. Knowing how to handle oneself in this scenario is critical so that they will not make mistakes when they are put into this situation. The situation involves a medical assistant who is the only person in the office when a patient calls and wants a refill called into the pharmacy. The prescription was for Valium so that he could get on an airplane. The assistant should not call in the order. Jerry’s medical training does not qualify him to refill this order. There are several reasons he is not qualified. One reason is because he is not a doctor. Doctors are the only ones that can prescribe and order refills on prescriptions. Another reason is because is the guy a patient of Dr. Williams or just a personal friend whom he gives medications to. When a person is a medical assistant or an LPN they are there to assist the doctor with taking vitals, discovering why the patient has come to the office, answer phones when necessary, and give shots. They cannot write prescriptions or call them in. It does not matter if it is for a blood pressure medication needed on a daily basis or not. The same rules apply. There are reasons only a doctor can prescribe medication. The reasons...
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...Ethics Case Study Kimberly Peralta HCS/335 April 19, 2011 Terry Matherne Jerry McCall is Dr. Williams’ office assistant. He has received professional training as both a medical assistant and a LPN. He is handling all the phone calls while the receptionist is at lunch. A patient calls and says he must have a prescription refill for Valium, an antidepressant medication, called in right away to his pharmacy, since he is leaving for the airport in thirty minutes. He says that Dr. Williams is a personal friend and always gives him a small supply of Valium when he has to fly. No one except Jerry is in the office at this time. What should he do? Ethics Case Study – Jerry McCall As an office assistant Jerry has certain duties and obligations to fulfill within his field of study, knowledge, and expertise. In this case as an office assistant Jerry has the authority and obligation to answer all phone calls and respond to them promptly, ethically, and efficiently. In this case the office assistant not only has administrative training but a limited amount of clinical training, the amount of clinical training that he does have does not qualify him to issue this refill. As an office assistant Jerry has the authority to call in only prescriptions or refills approved by the doctor. In this case as he is the only one in the office he should explain the situation to the patient and let him know that he will try his best to get in touch with Dr. Williams in order to have this...
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...Ethics Case Study Ethics is the evaluation and study of the human behavior in regard to moral principles, especially those in a particular group, profession, or individual (The Free Dictionary, 2012). Individuals face many ethical dilemmas daily and how he or she responds could lead to major and legal ethical implications. In the health care industry, possessing methods for making ethical decisions is an essential part of the job. This paper will present a scenario that takes place in a medical office and if the decision of the medical assistant will affect the decision-making process, which could lead to legal and ethical ramifications. Scenario The scenario presents Jerry McCall, a professionally trained medical assistant and Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) working in Dr. William’s office as an office assistant. Alone in the office and in charge of the phones during the lunch hour of the receptionist, Jerry receives a call from a patient. The patient explains to Jerry that he is leaving in 30 minutes to the airport for an extended vacation and needs a prescription called into his local pharmacy for Valium, an antidepressant drug. The patient also explains to Jerry that he is a long time friend of Dr. Williams and that the doctor always refills Valium prescriptions for him before he flies. Jerry’s training does not qualify him to call in a prescription for Valium. Ethical Dilemma Jerry has an ethical dilemma of if he should or should not call in a prescription...
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...Ethics Case Study Angela Gentile HCS/335 May 21, 2012 Claudia Unrein This paper is on an ethics case study, I will first explain the case study, and address why the person involved is not qualified to refill prescription medication. Also does it matter if the medication is on a daily need bases, and will that person be protected from a lawsuit? All these questions will be answered, so let me give you a little background on the case and some definition that might help you understand the circumstances. “Case Study: Jerry McCall is Dr. Williams’s office assistant. He has received professional training as both a Medical assistant and a LPN. He is handling all the phone calls while the receptionist is at lunch. A patient calls and says he must have a prescription refill for Valium, an antidepressant medication, called in right away to the pharmacy, since he is leaving for the airport in thirty minutes. He says that Dr. Williams is a personal friend and always gives him a small supply of Valium when he has to fly. No one except Jerry is in the office at this time.” (Fremgen (2009) pg.85. Definitions: “CMA, certified medical assistant, duties are grouped into two categories: administrative and clinical. Work in a variety of healthcare settings including physician’s offices, and clinics. Must graduate from an accredited program and pass a national certification exam. “LPN, licensed practical nurse, performs some of the same, but not all, tasks as the registered nurse. Must graduate...
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...Ethics Case Study Ranacia Alford HCS/335 Ruby Wesley Shadow In order to make ethical decisions in the medical office setting, everyone should have a clear understanding of their role in the practice. Knowing the scope of their work allows employees to perform their jobs better and to keep from making mistakes that could reflect badly on the liable provider. In the case study that will be discussed, Jerry, the office assistant, is asked to refill a prescription for Valium, a controlled substance, without the doctor’s presence or authorization based on the word of the patient. Does Jerry’s Medical Training Qualify Him to Issue This Refill Order? Why or Why Not? According to the case study, Jerry’s job title is Office Assistant. He has professional training as a medical assistant and a licensed practical nurse. Technically, Jerry’s medical training does qualify him to refill this order. Unfortunately, his current job title disqualifies since the doctor has neither authorized this prescription nor hired him as a nurse. Since Valium is a controlled substance and the patient stated that the doctor calls it in from time to time, there likely are no refills at the pharmacy, thus Jerry would be calling in a new prescription which is completed outside of the scope of his position. Would It Make A Difference If the Medication Was For Controlling High Blood Pressure That the Patient Critically Needs on a Daily Basis? Why or Why Not? As previously stated, Jerry’s current position does...
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...Ethics Case Study Name HCS/335 Date Professor Ethics Case Study Today’s healthcare professionals are immersed in an ever-changing environment. The advent of managed care, a variety of medical practice arrangements, and a multitude of healthcare specialty areas have resulted in the continual need to understand healthcare law. Unfortunately, due to the rise of malpractice suits, many physicians are protecting themselves by ordering multiple testing procedures, some of which might not be needed. In addition, many patients no longer want older, more conservative approaches to testing and diagnosis – and these newer tests are more expensive. All healthcare professionals need to pay attention to the wishes of their patients. And in the circumstances where the patients has given family members or others authority to make a healthcare decision on their behalf, healthcare professionals must respect the patient’s wishes. They also should use care not to place their own opinions ahead of the decisions of physicians or other healthcare professionals made in consultation with the patient. As with the case of Jerry McCall, his job is an Office Assistant and Medical assistants perform administrative and clinical tasks to keep the offices of physicians, podiatrists, chiropractors, and other health practitioners running smoothly. The duties of medical assistants vary from office to office, depending on the location and size of the practice and the practitioner's specialty. In small...
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...Ethics Case Study Ethics Case Study Nikki Gabel HCS/335 12-9-2013 Ethics Case Study The case study of Jerry McCall is a an example of a situation where someone is faced with stretching the legal and ethical limits of their medical training and making decisions that they are not qualified to make. Jerry is a medical assistant and is an LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse) but he has no authority to prescribe medications to anyone for any reason. The training he received allows him to take vitals, care for and dress wounds, monitor patients in a hospital setting, and give injections but only with the supervision of a physician. Jerry is also trained to offer clerical, administrative, and technical support to physicians. The study says that the patient calling in is a personal friend of the doctor that Jerry works for and is requesting a medication refill right now because he is to be catching a flight very soon and the medication, Valium, is to help with his anxiety about the flight. No matter what kind of medication the patient is asking for or who the patient is, Jerry does not have the authority to approve any medications for anyone. If Jerry were to approve the medication himself without the physicians approval and the patient had an adverse reaction he could lose his LPN license and could be fined. Respondeat Superior is a legal doctrine that is defined as, “A legal doctrine that holds the employer or principal responsible for the acts of its employees or...
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