Dear Nancy,

I am a nurse who is having difficulty researching some supporting documentation for a private practice asthma and allergy office. Does a parent, guardian or proxy have to physically be in the office while the nurses are administering immunotherapy shots?

Pam

Dear Pam,

The importance of obtaining informed consent of a parent, guardian or proxy for medical care and treatment cannot be underestimated. From your question, it sounds as though you are making sure informed consent is obtained.

Whether or not the parent, guardian or proxy must be present when medical treatments are performed in a private practice office is something best answered by a nurse attorney or attorney in your state, who can provide you with a specific opinion. If this issue is not regulated by law, then it most probably is up to the policy of the physician or nurse practitioner who administers the immunotherapy shots.
Or, it may be determined by the preference of the agent of the patient.

As you are probably aware, general recommendations for the provision of such injections require a physician or nurse practitioner to be present in the office and that the patient remain in the office for 20-30 minutes after the injection to ensure no reaction to the shot occurs. Emergency equipment and the training of personnel in the office on how to use the equipment is essential. It is not recommended that such injections be given in the home.

Cordially,
Nancy