Free Essay

Ethical Case Study

In:

Submitted By healei
Words 981
Pages 4
An Ethical Case Study: Jerry McCall
Heather Sewell
HCS335
November 4, 2013
Susan Kajfasz

An Ethical Case Study: Jerry McCall

The Jerry McCall case study involves a health care worker who is a medical assistant and LPN and b faces a legal and ethical decision when a patient insists on a prescription of Valium while Jerry is in the office alone. Jerry must decide how to provide the patient with what he needs while maintaining the law and his ethical values.
Jerry McCall, although he received professional training as a medical assistant and an LPN, is not qualified to refill a prescription for a patient. According to New York State Law, LPNs are not allowed to work independently. The law “requires LPNs to practice under the direction of a registered professional nurse, nurse practitioner, physician, dentist, physician assistant, specialist assistant, podiatrist, or midwife” (Office of the Professions, n.d.). Jerry is aware of the rules and regulations concerning prescriptions and should not be intimidated by a pushy patient. Rules and laws are in place to protect both patients from injury and health care workers from malpractice.
The law covers all medications because a patient can have an adverse reaction to even a common medication which is why all prescriptions must be ordered by licensed professionals. It does not matter whether the patient requests a daily medication such as a blood pressure medication or Valium as in Jerry’s case. The only legal way that Jerry could call in a refill for the patient is if the physician instructed him to because this would be within the scope of his duties. NYSNA, the New York State Nurses Association, prohibits medical assistant from performing any duties within the scope of nursing or the practice of medicine (NYSNA, n.d.). Although physicians reserve the right to train staff as they see fit, neither medical assistants nor LPNs are allowed to prescribe or refill prescriptions of any kind. A medical assistant or LPN could call in a refill on a prescription if the physician documented a need for refills in the patients chart or directly instructed them to call the pharmacy. Any other option leaves Jerry and the facility open to litigation.
The doctrine of respondent superior is a legal doctrine “that holds an employer or principal legally responsible for the wrongful acts of an employee or agent, if such acts occur within the scope of the employment or agency” (Legal Information Institute Cornell University Law School, 2010). According to the guidelines of respondent superior, Jerry is not protected during a malpractice lawsuit because prescribing medications is not within the scope of his job duties as an LPN or medical assistant. If the event that the physician documented a need for a refill in the patient’s chart and Jerry called it in to the pharmacy, Jerry would be protected by the physician’s malpractice insurance. In this case, Jerry would be liable for his actions because he acted outside of the scope of his job duties. If the patient had an adverse reaction, he would be able to sue Jerry for acting outside the scope of his position and illegally calling in a prescription.
Jerry should respectfully tell the patient the circumstances. He is alone in the office and legally cannot refill the patient’s prescription for Valium. Regardless of how irate the patient becomes, Jerry must act within the scope of his education and experience as a medical assistant and LPN. He must explore his options with two goals in mind – helping the patient and fulfilling his work obligations. He can explain to the patient that he is not licensed to prescribe medications even if it is for a refill. Jerry can tell the patient when the physician or nurse practitioner, if there is one in the office, will return to speak with the patient. Jerry can also recommend that the patient call the physician directly since the patient insists that they are personal friends. This option would completely remove Jerry from the situation. Another option would be for Jerry to refer the patient to another physician since the patient is leaving for the airport shortly. Deontologism holds ethics in a clear and concise view of right and wrong meaning there is no gray area. “The deontologist considers the rightness or wrongness of at least some acts to be independent of their consequences; that is, some acts are good or evil in and of themselves” (Garrett, Baillie & Garrett, 2009, para. 17).
Although Jerry could do some good for the patient by calling in a refill for Valium, he is prohibited from doing so by law. Jerry can immediately eliminate the option of calling in the prescription by utilizing the ethical theory of deontologism. Hicks (1999) outlines the following 7 step process for effective problem solving: (1) identify the issues, (2) understand everyone’s interests, (3) list the possible options, (4) evaluate the options, (5) select an option, (6) document the agreement, (7) agree of contingencies, monitoring, and evaluation (Hicks, 1999, para. 6). Utilization of this process can provide Jerry with a comprehensive view of the situation and all possible solutions. He must always keep in mind his training, position and responsibilities as a medical assistant and LPN.

References

Garrett, T. M., Baillie, H. W., & Garrett, R. M. (2009). Health care ethics: Principles and problems (5th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice-Hall.
Hicks, T. (1999, April). Seven steps for effective problem solving in the workplace. The
Business Journal of Sonoma/Marin, (), . Retrieved from http://www.mediate.com/articles/thicks.cfm
Legal Information Institute Cornell University Law School. (2010). Respondent Superior.
Retrieved from http://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/respondeat_superior
NYSNA. (n.d.). Scope of practice. Retrieved from http://www.nysna.org/practice/scope/med_assists.htm Office of the Professions. (n.d.). Frequently asked practice questions. Retrieved from
http://www.op.nysed.gov/prof/nurse/nursepracticefaq.htm

Similar Documents

Free Essay

Using the Case Study Provided at the End of the Module, Identify and Explain the Client's Issues and Devise a Course of Treatment for Him, Taking Into Account Any Ethical Issues”.

..."Using the case study provided at the end of the module, identify and explain the client's issues and devise a course of treatment for him, taking into account any ethical issues”. In this essay I will be exploring the issues raised in the case study provided which is about a 45 year old man named 'Mr. X'. I shall be explaining the issues Mr. X has expressed as I have understood them. To be in a position to help Mr X I need to identify issues that arise from the initial interview and produce a course of treatment that I feel would enable Mr X to meet his identified goals. I will be taking in consideration any ethical issues that need to be accounted for. Mr. X is a 45 year old man who has worked at the same Estate Agency for 18 years. He has presented to me the issue that he would like to apply for the manager’s position at his branch but his lack of confidence is holding him back. Mr. X has stood in for the current manager on many occasions so he knows that he is capable of doing the job but has reservations as he doesn’t want to cause any upset amongst the other staff or management if he is not successful. Further discussion with Mr. X revealed that one of the reasons he would like the job as manager is so that his mother would be proud of him and show him a little more respect. She is currently living in a home and he visits her regularly every Friday night although he says she tends to pick on him. Mr. X isn’t clear how or why his mother picks on him, just that she...

Words: 2018 - Pages: 9

Free Essay

Ethical Case Study

...Ethics Case Study HCS 335 March 2, 2015 Victor Gibb Ethics Case Study Ethics is a branch of philosophy in which human actions are judged to be either right or wrong based upon a person's particular set of values, when these judgments are applied to a specific profession than they are referred to as professional ethics (Garret & Baillee, 2009). Personal and professional ethics often overlap and sometimes the two conflict. There are also scopes that apply to professional practice, and one must adhere to their scope and not practice outside of that scope. This paper will explore the ethical and legal concerns related to a case of whether or not a licensed practical nurse (LPN)/ certified medical assistant (CMA) should call in a refill for a prescription for a patient/friend of the doctor he works for. Jerry’s medical training does not qualify him to issue an order for a refill on the prescription for Valium because prescribing medications is not listed in the scope of practice for LPN’s/CMA’s in any state. LPN’s may administer medications but prescribing of medication is limited to medical doctors, physician assistants, nurse practitioners and psychiatrists (American Nurses Association, 2015). Jerry could take a verbal order to renew the prescription from the doctor if the doctor were available to give that order as an LPN (Fremgen, 2009). CMA’s are also not able to prescribe medications and are not able to take verbal orders to for medications; therefore Jerry cannot...

Words: 1210 - Pages: 5

Free Essay

Bus 250 (Corporate and Social Responsibility) Entire Class

...Assignment Case Study A Brawl in Mickey's Backyard Case Study: A Brawl in Mickey's Backyard Read the Brawl in Mickey's Backyard Case Study at the end of Chapter One in your text. In one to two double-spaced pages, supported by evidence in your text and from other research, answer the following questions: Who are the relevant market and nonmarket stakeholders in this situation? What possible solutions to this dispute do you think might emerge from dialogue between SunCal and its stakeholders? Submit to your instructor no later than day 7 (Monday). Carefully review the Grading Rubric for the criteria that will be used to evaluate your assignment. Week 1 DQ1 Business & Society In one paragraph, supported by evidence in your text and from other research, describe two forces that you believe shape the relationship between business and society. Provide two examples (one for each force you choose). Look for flaws and strengths in specific examples and applications. Respond to at least two of your classmates' postings Week 1 DQ2 Business & Accountability In one paragraph, supported with evidence from your text and from other research, provide one example and brief discussion of one business in your area that has demonstrated accountability to people, to its community, and to its environment. Be specific with your examples. Respond to at least two of your classmates' postings Week 2 Assignment Case Study Alcoa's Core Values in Practice Case Study: Alcoa's...

Words: 1799 - Pages: 8

Free Essay

Bus 250 (Corporate and Social Responsibility) Entire Class

...Assignment Case Study A Brawl in Mickey's Backyard Case Study: A Brawl in Mickey's Backyard Read the Brawl in Mickey's Backyard Case Study at the end of Chapter One in your text. In one to two double-spaced pages, supported by evidence in your text and from other research, answer the following questions: Who are the relevant market and nonmarket stakeholders in this situation? What possible solutions to this dispute do you think might emerge from dialogue between SunCal and its stakeholders? Submit to your instructor no later than day 7 (Monday). Carefully review the Grading Rubric for the criteria that will be used to evaluate your assignment. Week 1 DQ1 Business & Society In one paragraph, supported by evidence in your text and from other research, describe two forces that you believe shape the relationship between business and society. Provide two examples (one for each force you choose). Look for flaws and strengths in specific examples and applications. Respond to at least two of your classmates' postings Week 1 DQ2 Business & Accountability In one paragraph, supported with evidence from your text and from other research, provide one example and brief discussion of one business in your area that has demonstrated accountability to people, to its community, and to its environment. Be specific with your examples. Respond to at least two of your classmates' postings Week 2 Assignment Case Study Alcoa's Core Values in Practice Case Study: Alcoa's...

Words: 1799 - Pages: 8

Free Essay

Bus 250 (Corporate and Social Responsibility) Complete Class

...Assignment Case Study A Brawl in Mickey's Backyard Case Study: A Brawl in Mickey's Backyard Read the Brawl in Mickey's Backyard Case Study at the end of Chapter One in your text. In one to two double-spaced pages, supported by evidence in your text and from other research, answer the following questions: Who are the relevant market and nonmarket stakeholders in this situation? What possible solutions to this dispute do you think might emerge from dialogue between SunCal and its stakeholders? Submit to your instructor no later than day 7 (Monday). Carefully review the Grading Rubric for the criteria that will be used to evaluate your assignment. Week 1 DQ1 Business & Society In one paragraph, supported by evidence in your text and from other research, describe two forces that you believe shape the relationship between business and society. Provide two examples (one for each force you choose). Look for flaws and strengths in specific examples and applications. Respond to at least two of your classmates' postings Week 1 DQ2 Business & Accountability In one paragraph, supported with evidence from your text and from other research, provide one example and brief discussion of one business in your area that has demonstrated accountability to people, to its community, and to its environment. Be specific with your examples. Respond to at least two of your classmates' postings Week 2 Assignment Case Study Alcoa's Core Values in Practice Case Study: Alcoa's...

Words: 1801 - Pages: 8

Free Essay

Bus 250 (Corporate and Social Responsibility) Entire Class

...Assignment Case Study A Brawl in Mickey's Backyard Case Study: A Brawl in Mickey's Backyard Read the Brawl in Mickey's Backyard Case Study at the end of Chapter One in your text. In one to two double-spaced pages, supported by evidence in your text and from other research, answer the following questions: Who are the relevant market and nonmarket stakeholders in this situation? What possible solutions to this dispute do you think might emerge from dialogue between SunCal and its stakeholders? Submit to your instructor no later than day 7 (Monday). Carefully review the Grading Rubric for the criteria that will be used to evaluate your assignment. Week 1 DQ1 Business & Society In one paragraph, supported by evidence in your text and from other research, describe two forces that you believe shape the relationship between business and society. Provide two examples (one for each force you choose). Look for flaws and strengths in specific examples and applications. Respond to at least two of your classmates' postings Week 1 DQ2 Business & Accountability In one paragraph, supported with evidence from your text and from other research, provide one example and brief discussion of one business in your area that has demonstrated accountability to people, to its community, and to its environment. Be specific with your examples. Respond to at least two of your classmates' postings Week 2 Assignment Case Study Alcoa's Core Values in Practice Case Study: Alcoa's...

Words: 1799 - Pages: 8

Free Essay

Bus 250 (Corporate and Social Responsibility) Complete Class

...Assignment Case Study A Brawl in Mickey's Backyard Case Study: A Brawl in Mickey's Backyard Read the Brawl in Mickey's Backyard Case Study at the end of Chapter One in your text. In one to two double-spaced pages, supported by evidence in your text and from other research, answer the following questions: Who are the relevant market and nonmarket stakeholders in this situation? What possible solutions to this dispute do you think might emerge from dialogue between SunCal and its stakeholders? Submit to your instructor no later than day 7 (Monday). Carefully review the Grading Rubric for the criteria that will be used to evaluate your assignment. Week 1 DQ1 Business & Society In one paragraph, supported by evidence in your text and from other research, describe two forces that you believe shape the relationship between business and society. Provide two examples (one for each force you choose). Look for flaws and strengths in specific examples and applications. Respond to at least two of your classmates' postings Week 1 DQ2 Business & Accountability In one paragraph, supported with evidence from your text and from other research, provide one example and brief discussion of one business in your area that has demonstrated accountability to people, to its community, and to its environment. Be specific with your examples. Respond to at least two of your classmates' postings Week 2 Assignment Case Study Alcoa's Core Values in Practice Case Study: Alcoa's...

Words: 1801 - Pages: 8

Premium Essay

Fenix Del Sur Case Study

...| Unit II Case Study | | | Barber, Charles [USA] | Strategic Marketing – MBA 5841 | Dr. Monica Sainz | 2/23/2013 | | Introduction This paper discusses the case stud of Fe’nix Del Sur, LLC provided by Kerin and Peterson (2010) in the text. Fe’nix Del Sur is company that sells a wide variety of South American and African artifacts. The case study illustrated how the competitive environment for the company changed dramatically over a ten year period. This paper will also discuss how ethical and financial implications affect potential courses of action for the company to adjust marketing and business activities. DECIDE Use the DECIDE process to evaluate one of the decisions Fe’nix Del Sur is faced with. In using the DECIDE process provided by Kerin and Peterson (2010), a clearly defined problem statement must be established. In the case of Fe’nix Del Sur, one problem identified was the fact that a lack of supply has forced the company to find new buyers. How can Fe’nix Del Sur regain is position in the market without degrading the company’s brand by compromising ethical standards? Secondly, the decision factors must be enumerated as discussed by Kerin and Peterson (2010). Alternative courses of action include add additional buyers or explore the option of using a mass-merchandise department store chain. The uncertainties related to the courses of action include availability of authentic artifacts and the market’s reaction...

Words: 1191 - Pages: 5

Free Essay

Hsm 230 Appendex D

...Associate Level Material Appendix D Acre Woods Retirement Community Case Study Acre Woods is a private retirement community with 275 senior residents. Its mission is to improve the quality of life of its residents through physical and emotional care. Sarah Armstrong, Acre Woods’ resident physical therapist, manages the retirement community’s activity program. Recently, Acre Woods added a pool to its rehabilitation center to facilitate resident exercise and aquatic therapy. The residents’ monthly rent was raised to help finance the pool. After the pool was constructed, Sarah immediately contacted the director of Acre Woods, Mark Adams, with concerns that the pool did not meet some important specifications included in the original design, such as nonslip treads on the stairs and improved wheelchair access to the pool area. Mark advised Sarah that the residents would be happy to have a pool, even if it did not incorporate all the requested special features. When Sarah asked why the new ramp and stair treads were not provided even though they were included in the budget, the director remarked that Sarah’s job was to provide physical therapy, not to worry about the budget. Over the next month, four Acre Woods residents had minor falls using the pool stairs. While the accidents were not serious, other residents began to express fears about using the pool. Sarah contacted Mark again to relate resident complaints and to stress the need for pool accessibility and safety improvements...

Words: 1057 - Pages: 5

Free Essay

Bus 250 (Corporate and Social Responsibility) Entire Class

...Assignment Case Study A Brawl in Mickey's Backyard Case Study: A Brawl in Mickey's Backyard Read the Brawl in Mickey's Backyard Case Study at the end of Chapter One in your text. In one to two double-spaced pages, supported by evidence in your text and from other research, answer the following questions: Who are the relevant market and nonmarket stakeholders in this situation? What possible solutions to this dispute do you think might emerge from dialogue between SunCal and its stakeholders? Submit to your instructor no later than day 7 (Monday). Carefully review the Grading Rubric for the criteria that will be used to evaluate your assignment. Week 1 DQ1 Business & Society In one paragraph, supported by evidence in your text and from other research, describe two forces that you believe shape the relationship between business and society. Provide two examples (one for each force you choose). Look for flaws and strengths in specific examples and applications. Respond to at least two of your classmates' postings Week 1 DQ2 Business & Accountability In one paragraph, supported with evidence from your text and from other research, provide one example and brief discussion of one business in your area that has demonstrated accountability to people, to its community, and to its environment. Be specific with your examples. Respond to at least two of your classmates' postings Week 2 Assignment Case Study Alcoa's Core Values in Practice Case Study: Alcoa's...

Words: 1799 - Pages: 8

Free Essay

Bus 250 (Corporate and Social Responsibility) Complete Class

...Assignment Case Study A Brawl in Mickey's Backyard Case Study: A Brawl in Mickey's Backyard Read the Brawl in Mickey's Backyard Case Study at the end of Chapter One in your text. In one to two double-spaced pages, supported by evidence in your text and from other research, answer the following questions: Who are the relevant market and nonmarket stakeholders in this situation? What possible solutions to this dispute do you think might emerge from dialogue between SunCal and its stakeholders? Submit to your instructor no later than day 7 (Monday). Carefully review the Grading Rubric for the criteria that will be used to evaluate your assignment. Week 1 DQ1 Business & Society In one paragraph, supported by evidence in your text and from other research, describe two forces that you believe shape the relationship between business and society. Provide two examples (one for each force you choose). Look for flaws and strengths in specific examples and applications. Respond to at least two of your classmates' postings Week 1 DQ2 Business & Accountability In one paragraph, supported with evidence from your text and from other research, provide one example and brief discussion of one business in your area that has demonstrated accountability to people, to its community, and to its environment. Be specific with your examples. Respond to at least two of your classmates' postings Week 2 Assignment Case Study Alcoa's Core Values in Practice Case Study: Alcoa's...

Words: 1801 - Pages: 8

Free Essay

Bus 250 (Corporate and Social Responsibility) Complete Class

...Assignment Case Study A Brawl in Mickey's Backyard Case Study: A Brawl in Mickey's Backyard Read the Brawl in Mickey's Backyard Case Study at the end of Chapter One in your text. In one to two double-spaced pages, supported by evidence in your text and from other research, answer the following questions: Who are the relevant market and nonmarket stakeholders in this situation? What possible solutions to this dispute do you think might emerge from dialogue between SunCal and its stakeholders? Submit to your instructor no later than day 7 (Monday). Carefully review the Grading Rubric for the criteria that will be used to evaluate your assignment. Week 1 DQ1 Business & Society In one paragraph, supported by evidence in your text and from other research, describe two forces that you believe shape the relationship between business and society. Provide two examples (one for each force you choose). Look for flaws and strengths in specific examples and applications. Respond to at least two of your classmates' postings Week 1 DQ2 Business & Accountability In one paragraph, supported with evidence from your text and from other research, provide one example and brief discussion of one business in your area that has demonstrated accountability to people, to its community, and to its environment. Be specific with your examples. Respond to at least two of your classmates' postings Week 2 Assignment Case Study Alcoa's Core Values in Practice Case Study: Alcoa's...

Words: 1801 - Pages: 8

Free Essay

Code of Ethics

...Tyler Brief Summary of Case Study While reading the three case studies in our ACA Ethical Standards casebook I specifically enjoyed reading Carmen’s the most. Carmen was a 19 year old Latino female from Puerto Rico who attended a community college in her neighborhood. She was being counseled by a 28 year old Caucasian female named Allison. Allison is a doctoral student involved in a practicum program at the community college. Allison has held previous counseling sessions with Carmen about her future career options. Carmen seemed to be very excited about the choices and could not wait to get her dad’s opinions about what she should do about her future. This is common behavior for Carmen’s culture, however, her counselor found it to be dysfunctional and wanted to correct Carmen’s behavior and make her be independent. Carmen did not approve of her counselor’s interference with her family matters and stop attending sessions. Ethical Dilemma in Case Study The issue at hand in this particular case study is the counselor loses site of the client’s goals and needs. Once the client said she could not wait to get her dad’s opinions about her options the counselor begin to think about herself and what she would and would not do. As a professional counselor, one needs to be respectful of cultures and their values. Latino families are known to be very enmeshed and respectful of their parent’s thoughts and concerns about their future choices. Depth and Breadth of Ethical Dilemma Certain situations...

Words: 603 - Pages: 3

Free Essay

Bus 250 (Corporate and Social Responsibility) Complete Class

...Assignment Case Study A Brawl in Mickey's Backyard Case Study: A Brawl in Mickey's Backyard Read the Brawl in Mickey's Backyard Case Study at the end of Chapter One in your text. In one to two double-spaced pages, supported by evidence in your text and from other research, answer the following questions: Who are the relevant market and nonmarket stakeholders in this situation? What possible solutions to this dispute do you think might emerge from dialogue between SunCal and its stakeholders? Submit to your instructor no later than day 7 (Monday). Carefully review the Grading Rubric for the criteria that will be used to evaluate your assignment. Week 1 DQ1 Business & Society In one paragraph, supported by evidence in your text and from other research, describe two forces that you believe shape the relationship between business and society. Provide two examples (one for each force you choose). Look for flaws and strengths in specific examples and applications. Respond to at least two of your classmates' postings Week 1 DQ2 Business & Accountability In one paragraph, supported with evidence from your text and from other research, provide one example and brief discussion of one business in your area that has demonstrated accountability to people, to its community, and to its environment. Be specific with your examples. Respond to at least two of your classmates' postings Week 2 Assignment Case Study Alcoa's Core Values in Practice Case Study: Alcoa's...

Words: 1801 - Pages: 8

Free Essay

Bus 250 (Corporate and Social Responsibility) Complete Class

...Assignment Case Study A Brawl in Mickey's Backyard Case Study: A Brawl in Mickey's Backyard Read the Brawl in Mickey's Backyard Case Study at the end of Chapter One in your text. In one to two double-spaced pages, supported by evidence in your text and from other research, answer the following questions: Who are the relevant market and nonmarket stakeholders in this situation? What possible solutions to this dispute do you think might emerge from dialogue between SunCal and its stakeholders? Submit to your instructor no later than day 7 (Monday). Carefully review the Grading Rubric for the criteria that will be used to evaluate your assignment. Week 1 DQ1 Business & Society In one paragraph, supported by evidence in your text and from other research, describe two forces that you believe shape the relationship between business and society. Provide two examples (one for each force you choose). Look for flaws and strengths in specific examples and applications. Respond to at least two of your classmates' postings Week 1 DQ2 Business & Accountability In one paragraph, supported with evidence from your text and from other research, provide one example and brief discussion of one business in your area that has demonstrated accountability to people, to its community, and to its environment. Be specific with your examples. Respond to at least two of your classmates' postings Week 2 Assignment Case Study Alcoa's Core Values in Practice Case Study: Alcoa's...

Words: 1801 - Pages: 8