BILL ANALYSIS �
AB 1841
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ASSEMBLY THIRD READING
AB 1841 (Mullin)
As Amended April 21, 2014
Majority vote
BUSINESS & PROFESSIONS 14-0
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|Ayes:|Bonilla, Jones, | | |
| |Bocanegra, Campos, | | |
| |Dickinson, Eggman, | | |
| |Gordon, Hagman, Holden, | | |
| |Maienschein, Mullin, | | |
| |Skinner, Ting, Wilk | | |
|-----+--------------------------+-----+--------------------------|
| | | | |
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SUMMARY : Clarifies that medical assistants (MAs) may hand out
properly labeled and prepackaged prescription drugs to patients
as part of their existing authorization to provide "technical
supportive services." Specifically, this bill :
1)States that, notwithstanding any other law, "technical
supportive services" includes the ability for an MA to hand a
patient a properly labeled and prepackaged prescription drug,
excluding a controlled substance, ordered by a licensed
physician and surgeon, a licensed podiatrist, a physician
assistant, a nurse practitioner, or a certified nurse-midwife,
as specified.
2)Requires a licensed physician and surgeon, a licensed
podiatrist, a physician assistant, a nurse practitioner, or a
certified nurse-midwife to verify that the medication and
dosage for that specific patient is correct, and that the
patient's name is affixed to the package prior to an MA
handing the medication to a patient.
FISCAL EFFECT : None. This bill is keyed non-fiscal by the
Legislative Counsel.
COMMENTS :
1)This bill clarifies that MAs may hand out properly labeled and
prepackaged prescription drugs to patients as part of their
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existing scope of practice under "technical supportive
services." This bill is sponsored by Planned Parenthood.
2)According to the author's office, "Providing MAs this
authority will help reduce waiting times, expand access, and
improve patient care and satisfaction in community clinics,
including Planned Parenthoods. Allowing an MA to hand over
medication and provide follow up instruction will ensure that
a patient has received counseling on their medication twice
and will provide them an additional opportunity to ask
questions. This will also free up the clinician, allowing
them to spend more time with the patient answering questions
because they are not rushing to perform additional duties."
3)MAs are unlicensed, but certificated, individuals. An MA must
have a high school diploma or GED equivalent and take a
certificate course at an approved school. The exact duration
of these programs vary, but San Francisco State University,
for example, requires 140 classroom hours and a clinical
externship. MAs also must complete a minimum of 60 hours of
continuing education over five years.
An MA may perform the following specific functions as part of
"technical supportive" services in addition to administrative
functions:
a) Administer medication orally, sublingually, topically,
vaginally or rectally, or by providing a single dose to a
patient for immediate self-administration;
b) Administer medication by inhalation if the medications
are patient-specific and have been or will be routinely and
repetitively administered to that patient;
c) Perform electrocardiogram, electroencephalogram, or
plethysmography tests (used to measure changes in volume in
different parts of the body);
d) Apply and remove bandages and dressings;
e) Remove sutures or staples from superficial incisions or
lacerations;
f) Collect by non-invasive techniques and preserve
specimens for testing, including urine, sputum, semen and
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stool;
g) Prepare patients for and assist the physician,
podiatrist, physician assistant or registered nurse in
examinations or procedures including positioning, draping,
shaving and disinfecting treatment sites; and prepare a
patient for gait analysis testing;
h) As authorized by the physician or podiatrist, provide
patient information and instructions;
i) Collect and record patient data including height,
weight, temperature, pulse, respiration rate and blood
pressure; and,
j) Perform simple laboratory and screening tests
customarily performed in a medical office.
This bill simply clarifies that MAs may hand out properly
labeled and prepackaged prescription drugs to patients as part
of "technical supportive services." Based on their current
abilities, this appears to be well within their scope of
practice.
This clarification is consistent with the work of similarly
unlicensed "pharmacy clerks" or "pharmacy assistants." This
is a traditional title used in the pharmacy industry and is
included under regulations for "ancillary personnel" in
pharmacy regulations. A pharmacy clerk may also perform
various "non-discretionary" tasks that do not require the
abilities and authorities of either a pharmacist or a Licensed
Pharmacy Technician.
These unlicensed individuals work in a pharmacy under the
supervision of a pharmacist and cannot "dispense"
prescriptions as that term is understood in current law, but
they can "hand" the patient filled prescriptions that have
been approved by a pharmacist for dispensing.
Analysis Prepared by : Sarah Huchel / B., P. & C.P. / (916)
319-3301
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FN: 0003269