Akm208 Posted July 24, 2013 Share Posted July 24, 2013 Hello, I have a question in regards to genitalia exam on a male or female patient by a male or female PA. Is it required to have a chaperone by law? Or is it just a precautionary measure that is voluntarily taken by a PA or other provider. If it is a legal issue, can I have proof? My sup provider insists I do these exams without a chaperone to prevent pulling MAs from their duties. I expressed my legal concerns, but she insists it is ok. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rcdavis Posted July 24, 2013 Share Posted July 24, 2013 Call your state board medical examiners. Boundary and sexual impropriatry issues abound in each state, and I believe the boards, under their statements of policies, will have addressed this. And expect it. One charge. One time. Is all it takes. And I wonder how forthcoming your doc will be in your defense, especially if the clinic is named as a co-defendent.. You are right to make this an issue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrator rev ronin Posted July 24, 2013 Administrator Share Posted July 24, 2013 Get it in writing. Then have that "writing" reviewed by a healthcare lawyer. It'll be a few hundred dollars well spent, and you may well be able to deduct it as a professional expense--but check with your tax accountant on that score. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uscbigdawg Posted July 24, 2013 Share Posted July 24, 2013 Agreed with the above. Let's put it this way...I refused to conduct a phlebotomy because a provider conducting an exam in the second bed and insisted on the door to the room being closed (hospital). That meant two males in a room with two females. I expressed my issue with the door being closed. In the end, it wasn't a hill worth dying on, so I just waited until he was done and then went and did what I had to do. Communicated it to both the nurse manager on the floor as well as my supervisor. Both said I was right for having an issue with being a male, in a female room and door closed. Like stated above, all it takes is one accusation and you're done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cbrsmurf Posted July 24, 2013 Share Posted July 24, 2013 For california, no: http://www.mbc.ca.gov/consumer/complaint_info_questions_practice.html#1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
d2305 Posted July 24, 2013 Share Posted July 24, 2013 Female examining a male fine. Male doing a pelvic, not on your life without another female in the room. You need someone to hand you the necessary items anyhow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whoRyou Posted July 24, 2013 Share Posted July 24, 2013 I found some interesting links regarding Chaperones http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2010/12/chaperones-hindrance-patient-privacy.html Or check out this one http://www.ama-assn.org/resources/doc/code-medical-ethics/821a.pdf or this one http://patientprivacy.blogspot.com/2010/02/chaperones-part-2.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TWR Posted July 25, 2013 Share Posted July 25, 2013 whoRyou Thanks for the above references. Arguments are made for both sides and all are legitimate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boatswain2PA Posted July 25, 2013 Share Posted July 25, 2013 I do a lot of testing in the ER just to make sure some piece of $hit lawyer doesn't own my house...I won't be doing pelvic exams without a chaperone for the same reason. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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