May a physician assistant sign a portable do not resuscitate order, death certificate or involuntary commitment papers?
The Medical Board takes the view that physician assistants may perform the same acts as a physician so long as the supervising physician agrees that the PA is competent to perform the act and the act is included in the PA’s supervisory arrangements. This would include the signing of portable do not resuscitate orders, death certificates and involuntary commitment papers. However, one must be advised that the boards are unaware of any court decisions agreeing with the boards interpretation of the law, and a court may take a different view. Because of the absence of any clear legal precedent in this area of medical-legal responsibilities, the Medical Board has proposed legislation that would make clear that if the law requires a physician to perform an act (such as signing a death certificate, portable DNR, or involuntary commitment papers) then this act may be delegated to a PA consistent with appropriate board rules and regulations. Information obtained through this website is not to b
Related Questions
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