Scope of Practice Debates On IV Therapy

New Rules for Medical Assistants!

Revised CAAHEP standards and guidelines for Medical Assisting Educational Programs indicate that the curriculum of an accredited program must now include the principles of IV therapy. According to the AAMA, a medical assistant is allowed to place an IV line, initiate an IV line, and administer IV medications after having received PROPER training (ONLY!), and only as permitted by their particular state law.

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Latest Debates Revolving Around the MA's Scope of Practice

The latest issue and debates revolve around medical assistants starting and disconnecting IV lines, or administering phototherapy in an UV booth. Recently, from a discussion in our medical assistant web forum, we learned how an unsuspecting medical assistant was reprimanded and suspended on the spot because of this confusion.

In Alaska:
Under Alaska's Statute and Administrative Code properly trained and certified medical assistants are allowed to insert urinary catheters, and they can start IV tubing. They also are allowed to administer medications as ordered into an IV under the direction of a physician.

In Connecticut:
Connecticut has addressed guidelines for delegation of tasks by Licensed Nurses to unlicensed medical assistive personnel.

In California:
California state law requires all medical assisting personnel that draw blood have California DHS approved phlebotomy technician certification.

• Preventable Incidents
• Prevention of IV Tubing Errors