Category: C. Guidelines

You are responsible for your acts as an employee of the doctor’s office. The doctor’s office is legally liable if you are negligent and cause harm/injury to a patient. While it is true that the office is liable; however, you yourself are also liable for your own actions on the job. Therefore, extreme care must be taken when you perform your duties. Medications and treatments must be checked and rechecked before administering them. The condition of the office equipment that you use must be checked and rechecked. Potential hazards such as throw rugs, slippery floors, etc. that can be a potential hazard to a patient must be attended to.

Even though you think you know exactly what the doctor would prescribe, do not prescribe yourself! This is illegal. You cannot practice medicine.

The chart is a record of the medical services and care of the patient. Include pertinent information only. Medical records are to be complete, legible and accurate. In order to help avoid any malpractice suits, complete, carefully prepared medical records will show that patient received proper treatment. Medical records cannot be altered or erased.

Please keep in mind that patients can hear your conversations. While we encourage conversations with one another, please exercise caution when speaking about personal matters and especially the use of profanity or of matters that may be offensive.

Information about patients, their illnesses, their personal lives or the business aspects of the office must be kept completely confidential. When talking with a patient about any matter, do it in such a way that other patients waiting in the office will not overhear. Case histories, confidential papers, and even the computer screens should be kept where passing patients will not see them. Do not give advice to patients on personal matters — even if they ask for it. It is improper for you to reveal information on a patient, even to another member of the patient’s family. If a patient asks you questions about his/her own case, refer him/her to the doctor.

Do not discuss any of the above outside of the office, including with your family, etc. Also, don’t discuss personal patient matters with other employees. All office policies, correspondence, financial information, and other office matters are considered strictly confidential and should not be discussed outside of the office. Removal of any property of this corporation from the grounds is cause for immediate dismissal.