Ethical and Legal Implications of Prescribing Drugs Essay
Ethical and Legal Implications of Prescribing Drugs Essay
Ethical and Legal Implications of Prescribing Drugs
Drug prescription is a set of instructions indicating the type of drug, its strength, frequency, and duration to dispense. It is an activity reserved for qualified practitioners. However, the nurse practitioners work closely with the physicians when prescribing drugs like opioids. There are patient factors such as chronic diseases, mental function, and other drugs taken that could result in complications of the drug (Kondo et al, 2020). This paper describes the legal implications of prescribing drugs, strategies of addressing closure and non-disclosure, managing prescription errors, and the process of writing a prescription. Ethical and Legal Implications of Prescribing Drugs Essay
The Ethical and Legal Implications of Prescribing Drugs
Ethics are the moral values that ensure the care providers follow the procedure when prescribing medicine to a patient. Legal implications are the rules and regulations that govern medical practice and protect care providers from medical errors. The ethics and the law states that there should be proper documentation of patient history, past medical illness, current medication, and diagnosis (Aagaard & Kristensen, 2018). The drug prescriptions should be by the nurse practitioner or the physicians. However, nurses can prescribe medicine only after consultation and communication about patient evaluation. Medication errors in the case scenario include a lack of documenting the past medical history and current medication.
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Strategies of Addressing Disclosure
Medication errors are the occurrences that take place during prescription and dispensing of the drugs. This error violates the ethics of practice and has legal implications for society. Medication errors expose the patient to medical harm that may cause death, adverse effects, and disabilities (Sullivan & Schweikart, 2019). However, it is the role and the responsibility of the nurse practitioner to evaluate the patient’s problem and prescribe the appropriate medicine. They should determine the therapeutic objective of the drug. When dispensing, the nurse should provide the patient with information about warnings, instructions, and the expected side effects. The nurse should regularly monitor the patient after dispensing the medication. In cases of a medication error, the law states that the patient has the right to disclosure. The nurse explains the event of the medical error and acknowledges their mistake. They ought to apologize and cover for the resources caused by the damage. Ethical and Legal Implications of Prescribing Drugs Essay
Disclosure enables the nurse to practice beneficence, justice, non-maleficence, and autonomy (Atif, et al, 2018). Beneficence is an act of kindness that shows the best interest of a patient. Non-maleficence is the act of protecting the patient from medical harm. Justice is an act of equity and fairness despite the social position of a person. Autonomy is the ability of a patient to make informed medical decisions. Disclosing is a form of showing the best interest of patient treatment and protecting them from harm. This enables the patient to make an informed decision regarding her treatment. The two strategies of addressing disclosure and non-disclosure include ethical principles and legal implications. The law states that the patient deserves disclosure of medical errors. Therefore, non-disclosure warrants punishment of the care provider.
Managing Prescription Errors
Medication safety is vital in all patients. Therefore, reporting all the medication errors and patient disclosure helps the care providers strategize the preventive policies. During the disclosure, the nurse should explain how the error happened, explain the side effects, and describe how the effect will be ameliorated. In addition, provide the steps that will ensure the error does not happen again. In the future, the nurse should ensure they determine the need, objective, contraindication, the allergies, correct dosage, lifestyle adjustments, and route of administration (Nwambie, 2018). The majority of states manage prescription errors by ensuring drug prescriptions are written by qualified personnel. In addition, those with legal authority must follow the ethical guidelines to ensure patient safety.
The Process of Writing A Prescription
Prescriptions indicate the medicine given to a patient to treat their health problem. However, the prescriber should understand the possible drugs interactions and the side effects (Kondo, et al, 2020). The prescription should meet the therapeutic goal or objectives. The prescriptions by the qualified healthcare personnel should have legible handwriting indicating the name of the patient, age, weight, address, and date. The specific drug should have the strength, frequency, duration, special instructions, warnings, side effects, and allergies.
Conclusion
Drug prescription is a set of instructions indicating the type of drug, its strength, frequency, and duration to dispense. Ethical and legal implications of medication errors ensure the prescriptions are thorough and precise. Ethics that prevent prescription errors are beneficence and non-maleficence. Some states restrict prescriptions to qualified personnel to ensure medication safety. Some drugs such as opioids are physician prescriptions to prevent abuse. Disclosure of the medication errors enables the nurse to practice beneficence, justice, non-maleficence, and autonomy. To manage prescription errors, a state should have a standard guideline for all care providers. When writing prescriptions, patient evaluation is paramount to determine adverse effects and drug interactions. Ethical and Legal Implications of Prescribing Drugs Essay
AC is a 72-year-old male who is admitted to your ICU after suffering a massive stroke that has left him unresponsive and unable to communicate. He is currently on a ventilator. His wife of 48 years is available along with their one adult daughter. The wife informs you that they don’t have any advanced directives, but she is “pretty sure her husband would not want to live like this.” However, their daughter is adamant her dad would want to be kept alive in case there is any chance to come out of this. Assignment 2: Ethical and Legal Implications of Prescribing Drugs What type of drug should you prescribe based on your patient’s diagnosis? How much of the drug should the patient receive? How often should the drug be administered? When should the drug not be prescribed? Are there individual patient factors that could create complications when taking the drug? Should you be prescribing drugs to this patient? How might different state regulations affect the prescribing of this drug to this patient? These are some of the questions you might consider when selecting a treatment plan for a patient. Photo Credit: Getty Images/Caiaimage As an advanced practice nurse prescribing drugs, you are held accountable for people’s lives every day. Patients and their families will often place trust in you because of your position. With this trust comes power and responsibility, as well as an ethical and legal obligation to “do no harm.” It is important that you are aware of current professional, legal, and ethical standards for advanced practice nurses with prescriptive authority. Additionally, it is important to ensure that the treatment plans and administration/prescribing of drugs is in accordance with the regulations of the state in which you practice. Understanding how these regulations may affect the prescribing of certain drugs in different states may have a significant impact on your patient’s treatment plan. In this Assignment, you explore ethical and legal implications of scenarios and consider how to appropriately respond. To Prepare Review the Resources for this module and consider the legal and ethical implications of prescribing prescription drugs, disclosure, and nondisclosure. Review the scenario assigned by your Instructor for this Assignment. Search specific laws and standards for prescribing prescription drugs and for addressing medication errors for your state or region, and reflect on these as you review the scenario assigned by your Instructor. Consider the ethical and legal implications of the scenario for all stakeholders involved, such as the prescriber, pharmacist, patient, and patient’s family. Think about two strategies that you, as an advanced practice nurse, would use to guide your ethically and legally responsible decision-making in this scenario, including whether you would disclose any medication errors. By Day 7 of Week 1 Write a 2- to 3-page paper that addresses the following: Explain the ethical and legal implications of the scenario you selected on all stakeholders involved, such as the prescriber, pharmacist, patient, and patient’s family. Describe strategies to address disclosure and nondisclosure as identified in the scenario you selected. Ethical and Legal Implications of Prescribing Drugs Essay
Be sure to reference laws specific to your state. Explain two strategies that you, as an advanced practice nurse, would use to guide your decision making in this scenario, including whether you would disclose your error. Be sure to justify your explanation. Explain the process of writing prescriptions, including strategies to minimize medication errors. Reminder: The College of Nursing requires that all papers submitted include a title page, introduction, summary, and references. The College of Nursing Writing Template with Instructions provided at the Walden Writing Center offers an example of those required elements (available at https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/writingcenter/templates/general#s-lg-box-20293632). All papers submitted must use this formatting. Submission and Grading Information To submit your completed Assignment for review and grading, do the following: Please save your Assignment using the naming convention “WK1Assgn2+last name+first initial.(extension)” as the name. Click the Week 1 Assignment Rubric to review the Grading Criteria for the Assignment. Click the Week 1 Assignment link. You will also be able to “View Rubric” for grading criteria from this area. Next, from the Attach File area, click on the Browse My Computer button. Find the document you saved as “WK1Assgn+last name+first initial.(extension)” and click Open. If applicable: From the Plagiarism Tools area, click the checkbox for I agree to submit my paper(s) to the Global Reference Database. Click on the Submit button to complete your submission. Reply, Reply All or Forward Resources: Rosenthal, L. D., & Burchum, J. R. (2021). Lehne’s pharmacotherapeutics for advanced practice nurses and physician assistants (2nd ed.) St. Louis, MO: Elsevier. Chapter 1, “Prescriptive Authority” (pp. 1–3) Chapter 2, “Rational Drug Selection and Prescription Writing” (pp. 4–7) Chapter 3, “Promoting Positive Outcomes of Drug Therapy” (pp. 8–12) Chapter 4, “Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacodynamics, and Drug Interactions” (pp. 13–33) Chapter 5, “Adverse Drug Reactions and Medication Errors” (pp. 34–42) Chapter 6, “Individual Variation in Drug Response” (pp. 43–45) American Geriatrics Society 2019 Beers Criteria Update Expert Panel. (2019). American Geriatrics Society 2019 updated AGS Beers criteria for potentially inappropriate medication use in older adults. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 67(4), 674–694. doi:10.1111/jgs.15767 American Geriatrics Society 2019 updated AGS Beers criteria for potentially inappropriate medication use in older adults by American Geriatrics Society, in Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, Vol. 67/Issue 4. Copyright 2019 by Blackwell Publishing. Reprinted by permission of Blackwell Publishing via the Copyright Clearance Center. This article is an update to the Beers Criteria, which includes lists of potentially inappropriate medications to be avoided in older adults as well as newly added criteria that lists select drugs that should be avoided or have their dose adjusted based on the individual’s kidney function and select drug-drug interactions documented to be associated with harms in older adults. Drug Enforcement Administration. (2021). CFR – Code of Federal Regulations Title 21. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?CFRPart=1300 This website outlines the code of federal regulations for prescription drugs. Drug Enforcement Administration. (n.d.-a). Mid-level practitioners authorization by state. Retrieved May 13, 2019 from http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drugreg/practioners/index.html This website outlines the schedules for controlled substances, including prescriptive authority for each schedule. Drug Enforcement Administration. (2006). Practitioner’s manual. Retrieved from http://www.legalsideofpain.com/uploads/pract_manual090506.pdf This manual is a resource for practitioners who prescribe, dispense, and administer controlled substances. It provides information on general requirements, security issues, recordkeeping, prescription requirements, and addiction treatment programs. Ethical and Legal Implications of Prescribing Drugs Essay
Drug Enforcement Administration. (n.d.-b). Registration. Retrieved February 1, 2019, from https://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drugreg/index.html This website details key aspects of drug registration. Fowler, M. D. M., & American Nurses Association. (2015). Guide to the code of ethics for nurses with interpretive statements: Development, interpretation, and application (2nd ed.). American Nurses Association. This resource introduces the code of ethics for nurses and highlights critical aspects for ethical guideline development, interpretation, and application in practice. Institute for Safe Medication Practices. (2017). List of error-prone abbreviations, symbols, and dose designations. Retrieved from https://www.ismp.org/recommendations/error-prone-abbreviations-list This website provides a list of prescription-writing abbreviations that might lead to misinterpretation, as well as suggestions for preventing resulting errors. Ladd, E., & Hoyt, A. (2016). Shedding light on nurse practitioner prescribing. The Journal for Nurse Practitioners, 12(3), 166–173. doi:10.1016/j.nurpra.2015.09.17 This article provides NPs with information regarding state-based laws for NP prescribing. Sabatino, J. A., Pruchnicki, M. C., Sevin, A. M., Barker, E., Green, C. G., & Porter, K. (2017). Improving prescribing practices: A pharmacist‐led educational intervention for nurse practitioner students. Journal of the American Association ofNursePractitioners, 29(5), 248–254. doi:10.1002/2327-6924.12446 The authors of this article assess the impact of a pharmacist‐led educational intervention on family nurse practitioner (FNP) students’ prescribing skills, perception of preparedness to prescribe, and perception of pharmacist as collaborator. Rubrics: Rubric Detail Select Grid View or List View to change the rubric’s layout. Name: NURS_6521_Week1_Assignment_Rubric Grid View List View Excellent Good Fair Poor Explain the ethical and legal implications of the scenario you selected on all stakeholders involved such as the prescriber, pharmacist, patient, and the patient’s family. 23 (23%) – 25 (25%) The response accurately and thoroughly explains in detail the ethical and legal implications of the scenario selected on all stakeholders involved. The response includes accurate, clear, and detailed explanations as to how these implications affect the prescriber, pharmacist, patient, and the patient’s family. 20 (20%) – 22 (22%) The response explains the ethical and legal implications of the scenario selected on all stakeholders involved. The response includes accurate explanations as to how these implications affect the prescriber, pharmacist, patient, and the patient’s family. 18 (18%) – 19 (19%) The response inaccurately or vaguely explains the ethical and legal implications of the scenario selected for all stakeholders involved. The response includes vague explanations as to how these implications affect the prescriber, pharmacist, patient, and the patient’s family. 0 (0%) – 17 (17%) The response vaguely and inaccurately explains the ethical and legal implications of the scenario selected for all stakeholders involved, or the response is missing. The response vaguely and inaccurately explains how these implications affect the prescriber, pharmacist, patient, and the patient’s family, or is missing. Ethical and Legal Implications of Prescribing Drugs Essay
Describe strategies to address disclosure and nondisclosure as identified in the scenario selected. Be sure to reference laws specific to your state. 18 (18%) – 20 (20%) An accurate, detailed, and clear description of strategies to address disclosure and nondisclosure as identified in the scenario selected is provided. The response includes specific, detailed, and accurate reference to state laws related to the scenario. 16 (16%) – 17 (17%) An accurate description of strategies to address disclosure and nondisclosure as identified in the scenario selected is provided. The response includes accurate reference to state laws related to the scenario. 14 (14%) – 15 (15%) A vague or inaccurate description of strategies to address disclosure and nondisclosure as identified in the scenario selected is provided. The response includes inaccurate or vague reference to state laws related to the scenario. 0 (0%) – 13 (13%) A vague and inaccurate description of strategies to address disclosure and nondisclosure as identified in the scenario selected is provided, or is missing. The response includes vague and inaccurate reference to state laws related to the scenario, or is missing. Explain two strategies that you, as an advanced practice nurse would use to guide your decision making in this scenario, including whether you would disclose your error. Be sure to justify your explanation. 18 (18%) – 20 (20%) The response accurately and thoroughly explains in detail at least two strategies that an advanced practice nurse would use to guide decision making in the scenario. The response accurately and completely explains whether they would disclose the error, including an accurate, detailed, and clear justification for the explanation provided. 16 (16%) – 17 (17%) Ethical and Legal Implications of Prescribing Drugs Essay
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The response accurately explains at least two strategies that an advanced practice nurse would use to guide decision making in the scenario. The response accurately explains whether they would disclose the error, including an accurate justification for the explanation provided. 14 (14%) – 15 (15%) The response inaccurately or vaguely explains at least two strategies that an advanced practice nurse would use to guide decision making in the scenario, or only explains one strategy. The response inaccurately or vaguely explains whether they would disclose the error, including a justification that is vague, inaccurate, or misaligned to the explanation provided. 0 (0%) – 13 (13%) The response inaccurately and vaguely explains only one strategy that an advanced practice nurse would use to guide decision making in the scenario, or is missing. The response inaccurately and vaguely explains whether they would disclose the error, with no justification provided, or is missing. Explain the process of writing prescriptions including strategies to minimize medication errors. 18 (18%) – 20 (20%) The response provides an accurate, detailed, and thorough explanation of the process of writing prescriptions, including detailed strategies to minimize medication errors. 16 (16%) – 17 (17%) The response provides an accurate explanation of the process of writing prescriptions, including some strategies to minimize medication errors. 14 (14%) – 15 (15%) The response provides an inaccurate or vague explanation of the process of writing prescriptions, including inaccurate or vague strategies to minimize medication errors. 0 (0%) – 13 (13%) The response provides an inaccurate and vague explanation of the process of writing prescriptions, including inaccurate and vague strategies to minimize medication errors, or is missing. Written Expression and Formatting – Paragraph Development and Organization: Paragraphs make clear points that support well developed ideas, flow logically, and demonstrate continuity of ideas. Sentences are carefully focused–neither long and rambling nor short and lacking substance. 5 (5%) – 5 (5%) Paragraphs and sentences follow writing standards for flow, continuity, and clarity. 4 (4%) – 4 (4%) Paragraphs and sentences follow writing standards for flow, continuity, and clarity 80% of the time. 3.5 (3.5%) – 3.5 (3.5%) Paragraphs and sentences follow writing standards for flow, continuity, and clarity 60%–79% of the time. 0 (0%) – 3 (3%) Paragraphs and sentences follow writing standards for flow, continuity, and clarity less than 60% of the time. Written Expression and Formatting – English writing standards: Correct grammar, mechanics, and proper punctuation 5 (5%) – 5 (5%) Uses correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation with no errors 4 (4%) – 4 (4%) Contains a few (1–2) grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors 3.5 (3.5%) – 3.5 (3.5%) Contains several (3–4) grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors 0 (0%) – 3 (3%) Contains many (≥ 5) grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors that interfere with the reader’s understanding Written Expression and Formatting – The paper follows correct APA format for title page, headings, font, spacing, margins, indentations, page numbers, running head, parenthetical/in-text citations, and reference list. 5 (5%) – 5 (5%) Uses correct APA format with no errors 4 (4%) – 4 (4%) Contains a few (1–2) APA format errors 3.5 (3.5%) – 3.5 (3.5%) Contains several (3–4) APA format errors 0 (0%) – 3 (3%) Contains many (≥ 5) APA format errors Total Points: 100 Ethical and Legal Implications of Prescribing Drugs Essay
References
Aagaard, L., & Kristensen, K. (2018). Off-label and unlicensed prescribing in Europe: implications for patients’ informed consent and liability. International Journal of Clinical Pharmacy, 40(3), 509-512.
Atif, M., Azeem, M., Sarwar, M. R., Malik, I., Ahmad, W., Hassan, F., … & Rana, M. (2018). Evaluation of prescription errors and prescribing indicators in the private practices in Bahawalpur, Pakistan. Journal of the Chinese Medical Association, 81(5), 444-449.
Kondo, M. C., Oyekanmi, K. O., Gibson, A., South, E. C., Bocarro, J., & Hipp, J. A. (2020). Nature prescriptions for health: A review of evidence and research opportunities. International journal of environmental research and public health, 17(12), 4213.
Nwambie, A. I. (2018). Strategies for pharmacy managers to increase profit by reducing prescription errors (Doctoral dissertation, Walden University).
Sullivan, H. R., & Schweikart, S. J. (2019). Are current tort liability doctrines adequate for addressing injury caused by AI?. AMA journal of ethics, 21(2), 160-166. Ethical and Legal Implications of Prescribing Drugs Essay
