Professional Standards & Competencies Flashcards

A facility's annual survey reveals a deficiency in antibiotic stewardship practices. As Medical Director, your FIRST priority should be to:

Answer: Conduct a root cause analysis and develop a corrective action plan

Root cause analysis identifies the underlying system failures driving deficiencies, which is necessary before implementing meaningful corrective interventions.

The Medical Director role in managing a facility's infection control program PRIMARILY involves:

Answer: Providing medical oversight and clinical guidance to the infection preventionist

The Medical Director provides clinical leadership and oversight to the infection control program, partnering with the infection preventionist rather than performing hands-on technical tasks.

Under what circumstance is it MOST appropriate for a Medical Director to override an attending physician's clinical decision in a long-term care setting?

Answer: When the decision poses a clear and immediate risk to resident safety

Overriding a physician's clinical judgment is justified only when there is a demonstrable, immediate patient safety risk—not differences in style or preference.

Which principle from the AMDA Code of Ethics MOST directly applies when a Medical Director must balance cost-containment directives from facility ownership with individual resident care needs?

Answer: Nonmaleficence and beneficence

Nonmaleficence (do no harm) and beneficence (act in the patient's best interest) are the primary ethical principles that must guide clinical decisions, even under financial pressure.

A Medical Director is asked to sign off on a facility policy that allows nurses to independently adjust insulin doses without a physician order. The BEST response is to:

Answer: Review relevant state nurse practice act and facility protocols before deciding

The Medical Director must ensure policies comply with applicable state nurse practice acts and regulatory standards before endorsing any scope-of-practice expansion.

Which scenario MOST clearly demonstrates a conflict of interest that a Medical Director must disclose?

Answer: Owning stock in a medical supply company from which the facility purchases durable medical equipment

Financial interest in a vendor supplying the facility creates a direct conflict of interest that must be disclosed, as it can influence purchasing or prescribing decisions.

In PALTC settings, the Medical Director's responsibility during a change-of-ownership (CHOW) transition PRIMARILY includes:

Answer: Ensuring clinical care continuity and reviewing staff credentialing processes

During ownership transitions, the Medical Director's primary obligation is to protect resident care continuity and ensure clinical staff credentialing remains compliant.