Law &. Ethics for Medical Careers 5th Edition by Karen Judson,Carlene Harrison

Exercise 43

ETHICS ISSUE 1: A physician assistant in a medical practice with several physicians contacts his professional association, the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA), to report that he is being pressured to sign a document stating that he agrees with the use of expired medications in the ACLS (crash cart) drug box. He knows the practice is an attempt to save money, but he feels uncomfortable signing such a document and, in fact, calls the issue a "job breaker." The PA's state laws do not specifically pro­hibit this practice, but he strongly suspects it is unethical.
In your opinion, is it ethical for the medical practice to use outdated medications? Is it ethical to require the PA to sign a document affirming his agreement with the practice? Explain your answers.
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