Risk eTips: Medication Administration by Medical Assistants

Summary

The script highlights the crucial role of Medical Assistants (MAs) in California medical offices and the associated risks due to their limited formal education in pharmacology. It emphasizes the importance of training, competency in safe medication administration, and the supervisor's role in minimizing medication errors. The video suggests clear policies, medication safety practices, and direct supervision to prevent errors, improve patient safety, and reduce medical liability.

Takeaways

• 🚑 Medical assistants (MAs) play a crucial role in medical offices and clinics but may also pose a risk due to limited formal education in pharmacology.
• 📚 It's important for physicians to understand the full scope of practice for MAs as outlined by the Medical Board of California.
• 📄 Hiring MAs should involve checking for a certificate of training from a respected institution and ensuring competency in pharmacology and safe medication administration.
• 💉 Additional training is necessary for MAs who will be administering injections or inhalation medications to ensure safety.
• 📋 Implementing clear office policies and procedures that emphasize medication safety is crucial to prevent errors.
• 🚫 MAs should not call in new or changed prescription refills due to their unlicensed status and limited pharmacology knowledge.
• 🔑 Best practices include using chart alerts for drug allergies, storing similar-looking or sounding drugs separately, and labeling syringes properly.
• 👀 Supervisors must be present on-site whenever an MA is administering medication to ensure correct dosage and administration.
• 🛡 Direct supervision by a qualified healthcare provider is essential for MAs to provide patient care within their scope of practice.
• 💊 Verifying the 'five rights' of medication administration (right medication, right dose, right patient, right time, right route) is a supervisor's responsibility.
• 🛑 Medication errors are preventable with well-trained MAs, adherence to protocols, and comprehensive procedures in place.

Q & A

What is the primary responsibility of medical assistants (MAs) in a medical office or clinic setting?

Medical assistants are primarily responsible for administering medications, as well as carrying out a variety of routine tasks that keep the medical office running smoothly.

Why might medical assistants represent a source of risk for medical practices?

Medical assistants may represent a source of risk because they are unlicensed individuals with limited formal education in pharmacology and safe medication administration, which can lead to medication errors.

What does the review of CAPS closed claims data reveal about medication errors?

The review reveals that medication errors occurred in nearly half of the claims where a medical assistant was directly responsible for a patient's injury.

What is the first step to minimize the possibility of a medication error by a medical assistant?

The first step is to be familiar with the medical assistant's full scope of practice as described by the Medical Board of California and to hire individuals who can provide a certificate of training from a respected institution.

Why is additional training necessary for medical assistants who will be giving injections?

Additional training is necessary to ensure that medical assistants can safely administer injections, such as Kenalog or vaccines, and handle inhaled medications.

What are some office practices that emphasize medication safety?

Office practices that emphasize medication safety include developing and implementing clear policies and procedures, utilizing chart alerts for patient drug allergies, storing look-alike sound-alike drugs separately, labeling syringes, and limiting distractions when giving medications.

What are the restrictions on medical assistants regarding calling in new or changed prescription refills?

Medical assistants may not call in new prescriptions or any refill prescriptions that have changes.

What is the supervisor's role in ensuring safe medication administration by a medical assistant?

The supervisor must be on the premises at all times when the medical assistant is providing patient care and should verify that the right dosage of the right medication is given to the right patient at the right time via the right route.

What are the conditions under which a medical assistant can provide patient care?

A medical assistant can provide patient care under the direct supervision of a physician, physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or nurse midwife, who must be on the premises at all times.

How can medical practices reduce their medical liability risk?

Medical practices can reduce their medical liability risk by ensuring that well-trained medical assistants act within their scope of practice and adhere to comprehensive medication administration procedures and protocols.

Where can one find more information about medical assistance and medication administration?

More information can be found on the websites of the Cooperative of American Physicians and the Medical Board of California.