Opinion ID: 6353086
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: A.B Decision at 2; A028 (I.A.B. Hr’g Tr. at 23).

Text: 46 A028–30 (Hr’g Tr. at 23–25). 47 Initially, the hearing officer denied the motion to proceed on with the merits of the case. A035 (I.A.B. Hr’g Tr. at 30). However, the hearing officer clarified that she was going to defer her decision. A036 (I.A.B. Hr’g Tr. at 31). 48 A036 (I.A.B. Hr’g Tr. at 31). 49 A037–38 (I.A.B. Hr’g Tr. at 32–33); B4–5 (NP Grady Dep. at 4–5). According to NP Grady, nurse practitioners initially train under a physician for approximately 500 hours; however, nurse practitioners can work independently and are “able to diagnose and treat illnesses.” B5–6 (NP Grady Dep. at 5–6). In addition, NP Grady’s credentials allow her to prescribe medications, both controlled substances (narcotics) as well as non-narcotic, non-controlled substances. B7 (NP Grady Dep. at 7). Employer challenged NP Grady’s credentials, asking the IAB to determine whether NP Grady qualified as an expert medical witness. A039–40 (I.A.B. Hr’g Tr. at 34–45). However, the IAB found that “[g]iven Ms. Grady’s credentials as a licensed nurse practitioner who is a certified provider pursuant to the Delaware workers’ compensation system, [the IAB found] that she is capable of testifying as an expert medical witness[.]” I.A.B. Decision at 8 n.1. 50 I.A.B. Decision at 8; B10 (NP Grady Dep. at 10); A042 (I.A.B. Hr’g Tr. at 37). 12 pain medication, and that she was a cooperative patient.51 NP Grady disagreed with Dr. Brokaw’s opinion that Sheppard was not compliant. NP Grady also did not agree that Sheppard should be discontinued from opiate medication.52 Instead, NP Grady opined that the narcotic pain medication was reasonable, necessary, and was causally related to the Accident.53 On cross-examination, NP Grady indicated that her records showed Sheppard had a medical marijuana card, despite Sheppard’s admission to Dr. Brokaw that she did not have one at that time.54 NP Grady acknowledged that during Sheppard’s treatment at Alpha Care Medical facility, there was no evidence of a decrease in the prescribed narcotic pain medication.55 Rather, as NP Grady testified, Sheppard’s narcotic medication had actually increased during March 2018.56 In addition, NP Grady testified that Sheppard would be a “perfect patient” to be weaned off of opiate prescriptions and transitioned to use of the CBD or THC compounds.57 51