Getting prescriptions from fellow residents

[drcushing]

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How common is this done? say for a script of abx for ear/eye infection?

There was a related discussion at my med school about what is kosher in terms of giving scripts out to family members, relatives, friends when you are not their "official PCP". Many classmates of mine seem to think that's okay. I'm more reserved about doing this.

But I can certainly see the convenience to get a simple script from fellow interns/residents which are not controlled substances.

What do others think?

 

[maxheadroom]

It depends upon your residency program contract. Many places won't cover you for anything that you do outside of residency business. Therefore, if you prescribe for someone who isn't in the care of your attending, you aren't covered for medical liability. At my place, I can call in my own scripts.

Also, most states have laws governing prescribing. If you give a prescription for Keflex to your friend, you MUST have a medical record of some sort. I know that in TX and MO you can get into trouble for this type of prescribing without documentation. It's not worth your license or the attorney's fees that it will take to defend that kind of action. Send them to their PCP or make sure that you have a chart that details what you did.

 

[psychforme]

Cant you send em to their primary care nurse doctor?

 

[asmallchild]

I've seen residents write out scripts for themselves. Is this considered a no-no?

 

[Apollyon]

I've seen residents write out scripts for themselves. Is this considered a no-no?

It is not unethical, but specific rules may differ state to state. As an attending, I write my own refills for meds and for abx. However, I did not have my own license as a resident (only a training license).

 

[scab]

Would this include narcotics?

 

[Apollyon]

Narcotics, controlled, and anything that has abuse potential (like Flexeril) will raise eyebrows. Controlled substance are an absolute, never-at-all NO-NO, period.

Think of your colleague like the ED - just enough to get you to your primary care provider; antibiotics are one thing, but if you need Cymbalta or Lexapro or Zestril or Norvasc, you can write those for yourself, ethically, and don't need to go to your colleague.

Again, though, if you write for yourself, or a colleague that is not your PMD writes a controlled substance, expect this sequence: a call out of whatever clinical duty you are performing, right that second, to the GME office, where someone from the enforcement arm of your state's dispensing authority will be waiting for you (two things make them stand out - a gold badge, and a gun). You will get a stern talking to, possibly in handcuffs, and likely off-campus, will not work for a while, and may lose your job outright, and it will be a long, arduous, not-guaranteed road back to medicine.

 

[scab]

Narcotics, controlled, and anything that has abuse potential (like Flexeril) will raise eyebrows. Controlled substance are an absolute, never-at-all NO-NO, period.

Think of your colleague like the ED - just enough to get you to your primary care provider; antibiotics are one thing, but if you need Cymbalta or Lexapro or Zestril or Norvasc, you can write those for yourself, ethically, and don't need to go to your colleague.

Again, though, if you write for yourself, or a colleague that is not your PMD writes a controlled substance, expect this sequence: a call out of whatever clinical duty you are performing, right that second, to the GME office, where someone from the enforcement arm of your state's dispensing authority will be waiting for you (two things make them stand out - a gold badge, and a gun). You will get a stern talking to, possibly in handcuffs, and likely off-campus, will not work for a while, and may lose your job outright, and it will be a long, arduous, not-guaranteed road back to medicine.

Perhaps House popping Vicodin comes to mind most

 

[dacrocytic]

Cant you send em to their primary care nurse doctor?

A DNP? Lol is that why you chose pysch? afraid of DNP's?