NR 506 Week 2
What are the potential ethical and legal implications for each of the following practice members?
Medical Assistant
Stephanie, the medical assistant, has potentially committed an ethical and legal violation by prescribing medication without proper authorization. This act could be seen as practicing medicine without a license, which is illegal and breaches ethical standards of patient care and trust as indicated by Rowthorn et al. (2019).
Nurse Practitioner
For the nurse practitioner whose name was used on the prescription, significant legal implications include potential charges of negligence if this issue goes unnoticed. Ethically, it raises concerns about oversight and the trust placed in the medical assistant (Earl, 2019).
Medical Director
The Medical Director ensures all staff operate within legal and ethical boundaries (Orchard et al., 2021). Failure to address such behavior can lead to legal repercussions for the practice and damage the professional reputation of the director.
Practice
The practice could face legal liabilities, including fines, loss of licensure, and damage to its reputation. Ethically, the practice must ensure all employees adhere to protocols to maintain patient safety and trust (Bhati, 2023).
What strategies would you implement to prevent further episodes of potentially illegal behavior?
To prevent further episodes of potentially illegal behavior, several strategies can be implemented. Developing clear protocols regarding prescription practices and ensuring all staff are regularly trained and updated on legal and ethical standards is crucial. Implementing regular audits and monitoring systems to track prescription activities and identify any irregularities promptly is necessary (Hut-Mossel et al., 2021). Furthermore, fostering a culture where staff feel comfortable reporting concerns without fear of retaliation is essential.
What leadership qualities would you apply to effect a positive change in the practice? Be thinking about the culture of the practice.
To effect positive change, demonstrating integrity by showing honesty and strong moral principles in all actions is fundamental. Maintaining open and transparent communication to build trust within the team is crucial as asserted by Jankelová and Joniaková (2021). Holding oneself and others accountable for actions and decisions, and ensuring a high standard of care and ethical behavior, is vital.
References
Bhati, D. (2023). Improving Patient Outcomes Through Effective Hospital Administration: A Comprehensive Review. Cureus, 15(10). https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.47731
Earl, J. (2019). Innovative Practice, Clinical Research, and the Ethical Advancement of Medicine. The American Journal of Bioethics, 19(6), 7–18. https://doi.org/10.1080/15265161.2019.1602175
Hut-Mossel, L., Ahaus, K., Welker, G., & Gans, R. (2021). Understanding How and Why Audits Work in Improving the Quality of Hospital care: a Systematic Realist Review. PLOS ONE, 16(3), 1–25.
Jankelová, N., & Joniaková, Z. (2021). Communication Skills and Transformational Leadership Style of first-line Nurse Managers in Relation to Job Satisfaction of Nurses and Moderators of This Relationship. Healthcare, 9(3), 346. NCBI. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare9030346
Orchard, J. J., Maddocks, D., Carneiro, E., & Orchard, J. W. (2021). A Review of Legal, Ethical, and Governance Issues for Team Doctors. Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine, Publish Ahead of Print (23). https://doi.org/10.1097/jsm.0000000000000986
Rowthorn, V., Loh, L., Evert, J., Chung, E., & Lasker, J. (2019). Not Above the Law: A Legal and Ethical Analysis of Short-Term Experiences in Global Health. Annals of Global Health, 85(1). https://doi.org/10.5334/aogh.2451
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Question 
NR 506 Week 2
Purpose
The purpose of this discussion is to discuss organizational changes and ethical-legal influences in a clinical scenario at an out-patient family practice. Students will explore potential effects on patient outcomes and ethical and legal implications for members of the heath care team as a result of illegal behaviors. Students will develop strategies that result in prevention of untoward outcomes that result in a positive practice culture.
Activity Learning Outcomes
Through this discussion, the student will demonstrate the ability to:
NR 506 Week 2
- Demonstrate effective leadership styles in the management of organizational change (CO3)
- Interpret various forms of ethical theories and application into practice (CO4)
- Discuss practice guidelines and malpractice prevention (CO2)
Total Points Possible: 100
Preparing the Discussion
You are a family nurse practitioner employed in a busy primary care office. The providers in the group include one physician and three nurse practitioners. The back office staff includes eight medical assistants who assist with patient care as well as filing, answering calls from patients, processing laboratory results and taking prescription renewal requests from patients and pharmacies. Stephanie, a medical assistant, has worked in the practice for 10 years and is very proficient at her job. She knows almost every patient in the practice, and has an excellent rapport with all of the providers.Mrs. Smith was seen today in the office for an annual physical. Her last appointment was a year ago for the same reason. During this visit, Mrs. Smith brought an empty bottle of amoxicillin with her and asked if she could have a refill. You noted the patient’s name on the label, and the date on the bottle was 1 week ago. You also noted your name printed on the label as the prescriber. The patient admitted that she called last week concerned about her cough and spoke to Stephanie. You do not recall having discussed this patient with Stephanie nor do the other providers in the practice.
Case Study Questions:
- What are the potential ethical and legal implications for each of the following practice members?
- Medical assistant
- Nurse Practitioner
- Medical Director
- Practice
- What strategies would you implement to prevent further episodes of potentially illegal behavior?
- What leadership qualities would you apply to effect a positive change in the practice? Be thinking about the culture of the practice.
- A scholarly resource must be used for EACH discussion question each week.
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