Doctors’ offices using medical assistants as a substitute of RNs

Dear Nancy, I’ve noticed that many doctor’s offices use medical assistants as a substitute of RNs or LPNs. What worries me is that these assistants are capable of administer injections and medications that may otherwise be administered by a nurse. When did this alteration and what can licensed nurses do about it?

Marvin

Dear Nancy replies:

Dear Marvin, The use of medical assistants in medical offices as a substitute of RNs and/or LPNs is most certainly as a result of the lower cost of medical assistant wages in comparison with RN or LPN wages. However, it is vital to keep in mind that a medical assistant isn’t an RN and due to this fact cannot perform nursing duties that only a licensed RN can perform. Such responsibilities would come with nursing assessment, patient and family teaching, making a nursing diagnosis, and using the nursing process. Likewise, an assistant isn’t an LPN. Therefore, nursing duties that LPNs can perform as a part of their practice cannot even be performed by medical assistants. Using a medical assistant as a substitute of a licensed nurse is shortsighted. Because an assistant cannot or mustn’t perform the nursing duties listed above with others not listed, the physician’s patients aren’t evaluated from a nursing perspective. The physician orders the administration of medicines to an assistant without the advantage of the RN or LPN observing the patient and identifying health problems that the patient may report back to the nurse. Doctors can often outsource medication administration to assistants due to the state’s Medical Practice Act, which allows them to delegate patient care to others. As a licensed nurse, you will help educate the general public in regards to the difference between a medical assistant and a licensed RN or LPN. If possible, contact doctors who only use RNs or LPNs of their offices. Better yet, discuss with your doctors in the event that they don’t use an RN or LPN within the office. You can work to vary your doctor’s decision to make use of licensed health care providers to care and treat his patients.

Best regards, Nancy