MattK Posted December 11, 2011 Share Posted December 11, 2011 Here's the scenario (just a scenario, I'm not a PA yet obviously): Let's say I am a PA who has full-time employment as a primary care practitioner. A family member comes over to my home and tells me they have been feeling sick for a few days. After examining them in my home, I determine they need antibiotics (or any prescription drug) to get better. Am I, as a PA, allowed to write a prescription in such a circumstance? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattK Posted December 11, 2011 Author Share Posted December 11, 2011 And the short way of asking that question is can a PA ever prescribe drugs outside of the "office" like a physician can? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator EMEDPA Posted December 11, 2011 Moderator Share Posted December 11, 2011 both physicians and pa/np folks place themselves at risk writing rxs outside of a work setting. it is generally discouraged but if you do it the best policy is to write up a short note about the encounter just like you would at work with a brief soap note containing allergies, indications for tx, etc and add it to the person's medical record at a later time. addendum: NEVER write a controlled substance outside of work or for a family member. that is just asking for trouble. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Savage Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 I would not write any prescriptions outside of the office, especially for family. Not even for a Z-pak. They do not get some golden ticket to the script pad just because they are related to you. I would be careful about just giving them advice. I would be uncomfortable seeing my family IN the office... But that is just me and my dysfunctional family. There is just too much that can go wrong for no real gain or benefit. If they threaten to disown you, then tell them have a nice life =) Of course to each his own. If you have a great trusting, awesome family, then it is not illegal... and I have seen many people prescribe for friends and family outside the office. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just Steve Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 When I have asked my PA friends how they handle such matters, the answers vary from "never" to "always" but typically the answer lies around "prescribe, write it up as a phone consult and direct them to f/u in clinic in "x" amount of days". This way it's all documented, including the f/u instructions so if things go sideways, you have some wiggle room. The above advice is anecdotal in nature and does not come from a licensed health care provider. It's worth what you paid for it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator EMEDPA Posted December 12, 2011 Moderator Share Posted December 12, 2011 When I have asked my PA friends how they handle such matters, the answers vary from "never" to "always" but typically the answer lies around "prescribe, write it up as a phone consult and direct them to f/u in clinic is "x" amount of days". This way it's all documented, including the f/u instructions so if things go sideways, you have some wiggle room. The above advice is anecdotal in nature and does not come from a licensed health care provider. It's worth what you paid for it. good advice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattK Posted December 12, 2011 Author Share Posted December 12, 2011 So i'm gathering that it's legal, but you could get yourself into legal trouble. And where does that come in? I'm assuming it's basically that if something goes wrong with the treatment and the patient brings about legal action it gets messy quick. Also, the PA must be employed-- not just licensed--correct? Otherwise they wouldn't be "working under a physician." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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