Yes. Also, you missed the second paragraph:
"In a physician's handwritten note for a visit, the MA will usually write the vitals at the beginning. In that case, it would be a fair assumption that the physician saw and was aware of the vitals and agreed with the findings. In the case of a dictated note, it is assumed that the physician saw the vitals taken by the MA before he/she dictated them. In both of those scenarios, as long as it could be easily inferred from the physician's notes that the physician was aware of the vitals, nothing further would be necessary."
Also, the 1997 guidelines note for constitutional exam:
"Measurement of any three of the following seven vital signs: 1) sitting or standing blood pressure, 2) supine blood pressure, 3) pulse rate and regularity, 4) respiration, 5) temperature, 6) height, 7) weight (May be measured and recorded by ancillary staff)"
So back to the original question: Can you give credit to the clinician for VS that were not actually taken by him or her? Yes, under 1997 guidelines or for WPS. The clinician should note the VS in some way, but need not perform the VS measurements him/herself.
For those using 1995 guidelines, the physician should write "Mild distress" (or whatever is accurate) and not worry about recording VS unless necessary for patient care.