Having surgery in Florida?? Think TWICE

[SoCalDem]

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/politics/content/auto/epaper/editions/thursday/news_042656d7f02d123a0077.html

Senate passes bill to allow assistants to give anesthesia

By Jim Ash, Palm Beach Post Capital Bureau
Thursday, March 25, 2004



TALLAHASSEE -- The Senate voted Wednesday to create a new category of health care provider -- anesthesiology assistant -- despite opponents who claim it will put patients at greater risk.Supporters of the measure (SB 626) contend it will drive down health care costs by allowing anesthesiologists to rely on highly trained but less expensive assistants.

"Members, we have to get a grasp on health care costs in this state," said the bill's sponsor, Sen. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey.

Critics warn that anesthesiology assistants, who require the equivalent of a master's degree and two years of specialty training, aren't qualified to deal with potential problems that could arise during surgery. They also complained that the bill required a supervising anesthesiologist only to be in the same hospital during surgical procedures, not in the same operating room.

In a compromise, sponsors agreed Wednesday to require "on-site, personal supervision" by an anesthesiologist who is present in the office or in the surgical suite when the procedure is being performed "and who is in all circumstances immediately available."

snip.....

[Kenneth ken]

1. great

..."and who is in all circumstances immediately available." well, unless that person is handling a problem which arose 5 minutes ago in a differnet surgical suite. Then, I suppose, it"s wait your turn, the anesthesiologist will be here as soon as it's convenient.

When I lived in FL, there was a local story about some surgeon who cut off a patients' wrong foot. The one foot needed amputating, but the wrong one got amputated.

[Wapsie B]

2. Nurse Anesthitists have lobbied

hard for this. It's not just Fla. that allows this now. There are a number of other states where this is now permitted. Funny thing is I was always taught that if you want to play doctor you have to go to medical school.

[SoCalDem]

3. Hey.. It's only your BRAIN, right?? No biggie..

And with tort reforms in place, no one can get sued.. "Down-sourcing" at its best.. More time off for the anesthesiologists...they will just raise the rates for the surgeries that they do attend to, and their insurance will drop because of fewer procedures..

every one wins...except the brain-injured patients..:(

[izzie]

4. Have we gone back 50 years?

Used to be sort of a joke, if you could not pass state laws in North you went South. Same with lawyers. Is that coming back?