Can a licensed medical doctor administer paralytic medications

[Doctor252009]

Can any licensed medical doctor that has graduated medical school administer paralytic medications to a patient as long as it serves a direct medical purpose?

[caregiver222]

Paramedics ocasionally administer paralytics  while performing endotracheal intubation, and have done so for over three decades.  In psychiatry, the drugs were used at one time during electroconvulsive therapy, generally when a patient has been intubated. On ocasion I have witnessed them used by an attending on an intubated patient on a ventilator experiencing siezures. The anesthesiology community has a general lock on performing intubations, and they frown upon "ordinary" physicians performing the procedure. I have no reason to be involved in a "how many angels are on the head of a pin" discussion. My medical background revolves around watching very episode of "House" at least six times. And every episode of ER with Maura Tierney. I also had a great teacher in second grade who knew a lot about first aid.

[opinmin]

I am an American medical personnel working overseas employed by the government, so I know the American medical codes and ethics as well.  My medical background consists of 13 years.  

[opinmin]

Paralytic agents are usually used in a surgical arena, so there is a SPECIAL ACCREDITATION for that.  Not all physicians can administer these drugs if they could then your family physician could do surgery and we all know that is not the case.  The member's question was pertaining to paralytic agents not controlled substances that require a DEA number.  Facts are facts.  

[caregiver222]

To qualify this answer, in the United States graduation from medical school per se, does not allow anyone to prescribe medications. A physician needs to become licenced within a state. Then he must apply for what are called DEA priviliges, and a prescription pad and obtain a DEA number. The DEA currently tracks all prescriptions of certain drugs, and may investigate to determine if a given prescription was indicated, and if they feel there was abuse may revoke the DEA number. Many hospitals have protocols that only permit specialties to write script on certain meds. In the VA system the GP cannot write valium prescriptions. You need a psychiatric referral, for example. Nor do they want psychiatrists to presribe antibiotics. A neurologist who has a patient who develops an infection, will defer the prescription of an antibiotic to another specialty. In addition there are litiganous issues. Physicians are extremely cautious about getting on the DEA "radar screen" for use of a medication that they cannot justify. Nor can a physician prescribe drugs for his/her own use. It would be reasonable and prudent for a physician to presribe within his/her specialty, but there is no specific prohibition on any drug on most DEA licenses. There is such a thing as a restricted DEA license, sometimes issued to naturopaths, and that will in fact have limitations.

[caregiver222]

In the United States any licensed physician may prescribe and utilize such medications. It requires no "special accreditation".

[opinmin]

Not just any MD can do this.  He or she must have a special accreditation.