Ethical Issues of a Doctor's Office

A medical office administrative assistance must know the importance of proper medical documentation,the legal aspects of documentation and the various medical laws, regulations, and acts; understand language and other communication barriers, proper billing and reimbursement procedures, workplace conflict and diversity; and know how to properly maintain patient ledger cards. Accurate medical documentation ensures the patient receives the proper treatment and aides in validating medical necessity. This documentation is not only critical to the patient but the facility as well because it ensures proper codes are assigned, clean claims are submitted, and allows the reimbursement process runs smoothly. Medical office administrative assistants must understand the imporatance in protecting patient privacy because they have an ethical and legal

Jerry has been trained as a medical assistant and well as LPN or licensed practical nurse. Having an occupation as being a medical assistant is regulated loosely in the U.S. In addition, many states lack medical assistant certification and training requirements. It may be surprising that licensing for medical assistants does not exist. Despite inconsistent regulation, every state mandates by law that whenever a medical assistant provides any type of direct patient care, the supervising physician or licensed health care professional must be physically present in the office or building (medicalassistant.net website, 2012). Another law that is consistent in every state is one that prohibits medical assistants from independently prescribing or refilling medications (medicalassistant.net website, 2012). Licensed Practical Nurses have a broader scope of practice than medical assistants do, but prescribing or refilling medications is not included. In this case study, only Dr. Williams is able to refill the medication. If Jerry decides to call in a refill he will be practicing outside of his professional scope and breaking state law.

a) Reflect on the journey of medical ethics and interpret how the principles of the Hippocratic Oath are applied within your organisation………………………………….…………

As a medical assistant I can make a patient with a skin disorder feel more comfortable by allowing the patient to tell me what they are willing to do. I would not overstep my boundaries by pushing a patient to do something that they are not comfortable with. Although if the doctor is recommending that a patient needs to show more skin than they are used to, I as the medical assistant will tell the patient why it is advised and why they should corporate. If the patient still does not want to do it, I will simply note it in their chart and let the doctor handle the situation from then on.

Healthcare professionals will be faced with ethical dilemmas throughout their career, particularly in the hospital environment. Having an education regarding professional healthcare ethics will provide some direction in how to best address these dilemmas at a time when either the patient or their family is in need of making decisions for themselves or their family member. It can be difficult for healthcare professionals to weigh professional protocol against their own personal beliefs and ethical understandings when determining critical care for their patient.

Today the Army is an organization that closely manages every penny spent to avoid what it considers wasteful spending on inefficient practices. Across the board, within the scope of Army activities exist many practices that are wasteful and take money from other areas of necessity. Medical treatment by way of medical appointments is one such process that has had to undergo a shift in practice as medical appointment failures have risen during intense budget constraints. As an Army major command (MACOM), the medical command has worked to convey that all sites where medical facilities exist are all echoing the same message across the board to change the mentality towards missing appointments. With the MEDCOM looking to adjust it own practices across its own enterprise, the command is also looking to spread the message to supported MACOM with the intent of spreading an understanding that Corps leaders must update policy and implement control measures including strategic messaging that stops wasting over $ 4 million in missed appointments while simultaneously prioritizing mission accomplishment and continuity of care.

The coordinated care of the patient involves organizing a Child Family and Team (CFT) meeting to facilitate the appropriate delivery of behavioral and healthcare services that meet the needs of the family. During the CFT, the patient, patient’s legal guardians, behavioral health providers, and medical team effectively communicate the appropriate delivery of healthcare and behavioral services. Updates about medical and/or behavioral concerns are faxed to the patient’s primary care physicians. In addition, case managers, clinical care managers, or family support partners make an attempt to accompany the family to the next schedule PCP appointment. This process facilitates both

Today the Army is an organization that closely manages every penny spent to avoid what it considers wasteful spending on inefficient practices. Across the board, within the scope of Army activities exist many practices that are wasteful and take money from other areas of necessity. Medical treatment by way of medical appointments is one such process that has had to undergo a shift in practice as medical appointment failures have risen during intense budget constraints. As an Army major command (MACOM), the medical command (MEDCOM) has worked to convey that all sites where medical facilities exist are all echoing the same message across the board to change the mentality towards missing appointments. With the MEDCOM looking to adjust its

Personal friends and co-workers seeking medical care is one potential situation that could bring about ethical dilemmas in medicine. Working in a medical office, you have to be mindful that regardless knowing the individual seeking medical care or not, you have to protect their privacy. I have personally overheard a co-worker ask another co-worker if she was feeling better from a prior visit and she disclosed the reason the co-worker was seen in front of other co-workers. At that moment, she violated the HIPAA law.

While private hospitals tend to be the preferred choice because they are not as limited in their budget and are known for quality service in which patients receive individual care

On Saturday, I had an opportunity to pitch the opportunity to work with a private clinician, additionally, to address his issue with medication. He pretty easily agreed; making it clear that it would likely prove ineffective in changing his belief that the medications are causing/aggravating his symptoms. I expressed the desire to locate someone that could address the medication and A&D problems. Margaret, suggested it be a psychologist, which is fine with me. If any of you know of anyone in private practice skilled in either or both area, we'd appreciate you forwarding their contact details. I would like this work to commence, ASAP.

Ethical standards for all healthcare professions include principles of informed consent, veracity, and beneficence to provide best care (Kornblau & Burkhart, 2012). However, the definition of best practice can still differ among patients depending on their diagnosis, age, personality, and personal culture. Best practice gets further complicated when the patient is a child. The law concerning medical decisions for children states that children are unable to make their own decisions soundly (Goldstein, 1977). A parent must stand in as the decision-maker giving consent to treatments. Parents have the right to establish and dictate the course of healthcare without interference by the state. Parents can choose to accept or decline treatments,

The clinician’s behavior does not meet the aspirational goals described by the ethics code. The clinician is violating the clients privacy and breaks the APA’s ethical code of 4.04, Minimizing Intrusions on Privacy. The clinician may also be putting themselves in a position where they may start a duel relationship. It would be appropriate to report the situation if the client is under legal drinking age. A more appropriate behavior of the clinician would be to wait and see if the client approaches the clinician at the bar. If the client does not, then the clinician should wait and see if the client mentions the drinking situation during the next session with the clinician. If the client does not bring up the situation, the clinician could

No matter what people say about these gross medicines, some people need it desperately. Medical professionals have been making new and extraordinarily unique medicines that perform miracles. Yes, this may sound like a Breakthrough in medical technology, but there is a little catch.

Despite the advantages for both patients and personnel in the form of, for example, more convenience with resources, time, location and a cost-effectiveness way for doctors to care for patients, it might also involve ethical difficulties. Patients may abuse the system by seeking for physicians who will more readily issue prescriptions, especially for controlled substances. Doctors may be legally permitted to be involved in the online consultation, it doesn’t mean that they ethically should do so. The other identified ethical dilemmas are the destruction of the patient-doctor relationships, patient privacy corrupting and forcing one-size-fits-all interpretations. (Layman E (2003).