Page 35 - Part 1 Collaborating with Advanced Practice Providers - An Overview of State Rules

SVMIC Collaborating with Advanced Practice Providers

states explicitly that the supervising physician “has the duty of
assuring that there is proper supervision and control of the

physician assistant” and that the physician assistant’s actions are

“appropriate”. Id. The plaintiff thereafter disclosed an expert to

testify that the physician was required to review prescriptions of

controlled medicines within ten (10) days and that had the
prescription of Demerol been timely reviewed, a reasonably

prudent physician using a physician assistant and acting within

the standard of care would have stopped the prescription because

of the large dosage.

There was no evidence of “active and continuous” supervision as

required by State law of PA Martin as a physician’s assistant by her
employer, Dr. White, in prescribing sedating medications such as

Demerol, in that no “written protocol” existed whatsoever and no

chart review occurred as is required; hence, no guidance or

oversight existed in assisting her in the choice of prescribing

Demerol for Ms. Connor, who had a documented history of
seizures, and also simultaneously in writing a prescription for

Stadol. This resulted in substandard management and care being

provided to the patient.

Fortunately for the physician, the case was ultimately dismissed on

summary judgment. However, the state board disciplined the
physician for failing to properly supervise physician assistants and

nurse practitioners with respect to protocols and chart reviews in

violation of board rules. The physician’s license was placed on

probation for five years and the physician was assessed $9,000 in

civil penalties plus costs.

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