PsychPAinPA Posted March 28, 2018 Share Posted March 28, 2018 I am a new grad working in inpatient psychiatry. I usually cover weekends alone, and my SP rounds with me or after me on weekdays. We do not discharge anyone on weekends. Recently, my SP told me he will not be rounding the Thursday and Friday prior to my weekend. This means there will be no MD in the hospital for 4 days in a row. I understand every hospitalized patient must be seen at least once by an MD, and told him this. He told me not to worry about it, and call him to discuss the case and discharge anyone we decide to send home. My question: if I discharge a patient that was never seen by a physician on the direct order of my SP, can I get in trouble? Is it my responsibility to make sure he's seen everyone? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
camoman1234 Posted March 28, 2018 Share Posted March 28, 2018 My first question is why are you not being mentored by your SP for at least the first year if you are a new grad? That is my main concern about your post... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UGoLong Posted March 28, 2018 Share Posted March 28, 2018 I don’t know where you live, but I know of no requirement in general that a doc must see every patient. If he is reachable by phone, I would document that the case was discussed with Dr x and the decision is xyz. On the other hand, you might not be trained enough yet to play this role. If either you or the doc aren’t comfortable, then it’s too soon. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PsychPAinPA Posted March 28, 2018 Author Share Posted March 28, 2018 I feel fairly comfortable, but live in Pennsylvania and am concerned about item 5 on this delineation of supervising physician responsibilities in PA: https://www.pacode.com/secure/data/049/chapter18/s18.144.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UGoLong Posted March 28, 2018 Share Posted March 28, 2018 Looks like a real rule in your state.Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thinkertdm Posted March 28, 2018 Share Posted March 28, 2018 No one will protect your license like you. Is it your job to remind him to do his? No. But guess who will get thrown under the bus when things go pear shaped. Yeah, not him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lkth487 Posted March 28, 2018 Share Posted March 28, 2018 If you work for a hospital, ask them about it and have it in writing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CAdamsPAC Posted March 28, 2018 Share Posted March 28, 2018 2 hours ago, thinkertdm said: No one will protect your license like you. Is it your job to remind him to do his? No. But guess who will get thrown under the bus when things go pear shaped. Yeah, not him. I've seen disciplinary action by the Alaska State Board against physicians for "failure to supervise a Physician Assistant" so it would be best for the two of you to have a serious face to face review and dicsussion of supervisory requirements and responsibilities. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DizzyJ Posted March 28, 2018 Share Posted March 28, 2018 Make sure you check hospital bylaws. When I worked inpatient at my main hospital there was no requirement for a physician to see the patient every day. They only needed to co-sign my H&P. If I went over to our other hospital they required a physician to see the patient every day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GetMeOuttaThisMess Posted March 28, 2018 Share Posted March 28, 2018 Make sure you check hospital bylaws. When I worked inpatient at my main hospital there was no requirement for a physician to see the patient every day. They only needed to co-sign my H&P. If I went over to our other hospital they required a physician to see the patient every day. It should go without saying that the OP needs to go by whichever is the stricter criteria. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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