DPM Rx Authority

[meritdoc]

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Would a DPM ever Rx lipitor or plavix... or any other non-foot related drug for a circulatory issue ect.?

Any examples of such an instance would be great.

Thanks.

 

[krabmas]

Would a DPM ever Rx lipitor or plavix... or any other non-foot related drug for a circulatory issue ect.?

Any examples of such an instance would be great.

Thanks.

typically pods do not prescribe meds for systemic ailments.

 

[Dr_Feelgood]

True except for neuropathy and prophylactic drugs. We don't prescribe them b/c we are not treating the aliment. Most MD/DO specialist don't prescribe outside of their specialty; if for no other reason, they don't want to see the person everytime thy need refills and they don't know enough about every drug in the world.

 

[Northerner]

Maybe the OP is asking if they're allowed to.

Of course you can justify choosing not to.

 

[Podman]

Maybe the OP is asking if they're allowed to.

Of course you can justify choosing not to.

It depends on the state law - some states, ohio included, give full prescription rights for podiatrists. This is per the definition and the language of the law. However, unless the podiatrist is trying to lose his or her license and pile up lawsuits, they wouldn't prescribe medications outside of their scopes of practice.

 

[Dr_Feelgood]

That would be an accurate statement. I think in all 50 states they are allowed too. But if one thing went wrong they would owe you and wear your ass as a hat.

A pretty successful pod in DM was writing scripts for birth control for a nurse he worked w/. He was informed that it may open him up for legal recourse at a later time, and he of course chose to stop.

 

[Podman]

That would be an accurate statement. I think in all 50 states they are allowed too. But if one thing went wrong they would owe you and wear your ass as a hat.

A pretty successful pod in DM was writing scripts for birth control for a nurse he worked w/. He was informed that it may open him up for legal recourse at a later time, and he of course chose to stop.

I'm definately a firm believer of practicing only to the extent of your expertise and scope. Any time we have podiatrists and doctors in general going beyond their scope of practice, then they are just asking to commit professional suicide.

 

[cool_vkb]

I'm definately a firm believer of practicing only to the extent of your expertise and scope. Any time we have podiatrists and doctors in general going beyond their scope of practice, then they are just asking to commit professional suicide.

Ok so lets say, if a patient walk ins to my office with a foot infection or an infected wound full of puss. And bcoz of that infection/puss toxicity he has a high grade fever and other symptoms such as Acidity or stomach upset. So as a Podiatrist can i also prescribe medication for fever and his stomach problem. Or do i just treat the infection ignoring his fever and stomach problem. And refer him to a IM for those conditions.

 

[Podman]

Ok so lets say, if a patient walk ins to my office with a foot infection or an infected wound full of puss. And bcoz of that infection/puss toxicity he has a high grade fever and other symptoms such as Acidity or stomach upset. So as a Podiatrist can i also prescribe medication for fever and his stomach problem. Or do i just treat the infection ignoring his fever and stomach problem. And refer him to a IM for those conditions.

because the patient is displaying other systemic problems, then the problem is probably larger than just the infection in his foot. It would probably be wise to NOT prescribe him things for the fever and stomach problem and in stead refer him to the IM for further evaluation. Last thing you want is to give the Patient medication that ends up manifesting into something worse.

For the immediate action though, I would probably give him something for his foot infection ONLY provided that I have an accurate history of his past medical illness and that the medication would not harm him/her in any way.

 

[krabmas]

Ok so lets say, if a patient walk ins to my office with a foot infection or an infected wound full of puss. And bcoz of that infection/puss toxicity he has a high grade fever and other symptoms such as Acidity or stomach upset. So as a Podiatrist can i also prescribe medication for fever and his stomach problem. Or do i just treat the infection ignoring his fever and stomach problem. And refer him to a IM for those conditions.

the foot infection could or could not be the cause of his fever but the meds for the foot infx will not change whether there is a fever or not. the foot infx will get abx w/ or w/out an infx. after treating the foot infx by cultue and rxing abx, dependibg on the symptoms and where the pod is practicing the patient may be referred to the ER, admitted to the hospital or referred to a PCP or ID. if the patient has an open wound and infx and fever (systemic signs of infx) I would most likely admit the patient to the hospital and consult ID, schedule an IandD. You can rx for the other symptoms but you will not be an expert in those meds and may not help the situation.

so now you may be asking your self why would the patient come to a pod? becuase the PCP and maybe even the ID might not know which abx are best for foot infx.

 

[cool_vkb]

the foot infection could or could not be the cause of his fever but the meds for the foot infx will not change whether there is a fever or not. the foot infx will get abx w/ or w/out an infx. after treating the foot infx by cultue and rxing abx, dependibg on the symptoms and where the pod is practicing the patient may be referred to the ER, admitted to the hospital or referred to a PCP or ID. if the patient has an open wound and infx and fever (systemic signs of infx) I would most likely admit the patient to the hospital and consult ID, schedule an IandD. You can rx for the other symptoms but you will not be an expert in those meds and may not help the situation.

so now you may be asking your self why would the patient come to a pod? becuase the PCP and maybe even the ID might not know which abx are best for foot infx.

but as a Podiatrist u do have a right to prescribe to medicine for whole body right. I know tats not our specialization but still technically we can prescribe right. (atleast in one state)

 

[krabmas]

but as a Podiatrist u do have a right to prescribe to medicine for whole body right. I know tats not our specialization but still technically we can prescribe right. (atleast in one state)

technically yes, but an Ortho MD also can technically rx birth control, and blood pressure meds but would most likely not because it is not in their's or the patient's best interest for the ortho to rx these meds.

it is always about keeping the patient's best interest in mind.

 

[scpod]

technically yes, but ...it is always about keeping the patient's best interest in mind.

I like the way you use the term "technically" because MD's, DO's, and DPM's are generally the only people who have, more or less, the "technical" capacity to prescribe just about anything. I once dated a girl who convinced her psychiatrist to Rx things like antibiotics on a regular basis when she had a bacterial infection, or benzos for TMJ. Her pychiatrist knew that she wouldn't go to a PCP for any reason, so she opted to write the scripts. That decision could very well be questionable, but that's the kind of decision that any medical provider has to make on his/her own. The "patient's best interest" is a very broad and very vague subject.