Medical Assistants Who Administer Medications

 Misconceptions When Administering OTC Medications

No over-the-counter medications (OTC) may be administered to a patient or client unless a licensed and/or supervising physician has previously approved of such administration (and given the order!).

All over-the-counter medications being administered to the patient must have a written physician's order documented in the patient's record.

Prescribed medications must only by administered to the person for whom the prescription has been written.

The medical assistant who administers medications, and observes the patient must understand signs of choking, and any adverse, or allergic reactions, and be trained to properly react to any emergencies that might arise from the drug. Emergency numbers must be readily available, and the doctor in charge MUST be immediately notified of the event.

A medical emergency kit (or crash cart), and all other emergency porcedure protocol information must be readily available on site to all medical office staff. Often it is the medical assistant's job to make sure the crash cart is properly stocked, and contents are usable, and not expired.

The medical office's written procedures must reflect actions relative to medical emergencies as a result of medication administration. Facility policies should include:

1. the mechanism for reporting to supervising nurse or physician;
2. procedures for obtaining treatment for involved patient;
3. corrective action to be taken if several errors are made within 30 days from the initial error;
4. the method for tracking errors made and corrective actions taken

Error means failure to administer medication to a patient, or client, failure to administer medication within one hour of the time designated by the prescribing practitioner, failure to administer the specific medication prescribed for a patient, failure to administer the correct dosage of medication, failure to administer the medication by the correct route, and failure to administer the medication according to generally accepted medical practices.

Charting and documentation:

 http://www.ct.gov/dds/cwp/view.asp?a=2051&q=330494