Preventable Incidents! Not Following Standards of Care

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A little more, or a little less than expected???

Medical assistants are expected to explain an upcoming procedure to a patient before it starts, and be present during the procedure to assist. It is their duty to help make it go over as smoothly as possible. If indicated, the provider will also ask the medical assistant to fetch instruments or supplies, or prepare, and/or administer a certain dose of medication to a patient while being seen. During the entire process, safety is the highest focus and concern, especially in drug administration!

However, a medical assistant can find herself entering dangerous territory when the following happens:

As little as...

• failing to obtain informed consent - call it an oversight 
• forgetting to ask about latex allergies - call it a miscommunication
• as failing to recognize a need for help - call it indifference 
• failing to return a phone call - call it abandonment
• discussing a patient's condition within earshot of others - call it indiscretion

And all can lead to serious consequences and repercussions.

Safety Guidelines in Administration of Medications

Medical assistants must administer only those medications for which the physician has written and signed the order. They must always check with the ordering doctor when in doubt about any medications. When dispensing any medications, they must carefully check to make sure that everything on the medication order corresponds exactly with the label on the package or container, and medications that are not clearly labled  should never be used, or put back into the medicine closet. 

You might ask: "What are the 5 Rs?  

Medication Errors are Preventable! 

Know the "Five Rights" in administering medications...