AMA weighs national guidelines for office-based surgery

After several deaths and adverse patient events in Florida, the AMA has agreed to study the need for safety guidelines.

By Jay Greene, amednews staff. Jan. 1/8, 2001.

Orlando, Fla. -- In an effort to influence expected state legislation, the American Medical Association will spearhead an effort to develop national guidelines for office-based surgery procedures.

Many doctors who attended the Interim Meeting believe states will create burdensome regulations governing office-based surgery unless the AMA moves to develop safety guidelines for physicians.

After hearing testimony that several specialty societies and other medical organizations are studying or already have created guidelines, the House of Delegates referred creation of model state guidelines to the Board of Trustees for a decision.

"We don't need to study the need for guidelines. We need to create guidelines as soon as possible," said Scott Karlan, MD, representing the American Society of General Surgeons, Beverly Hills, Calif.

Although six states already have passed regulations for office-based surgery, controversy over Florida's rules -- arguably the nation's toughest -- led the AMA Young Physicians Section to call for a study on patient safety. Other states with guidelines include Illinois and New York.

"There are many pending laws in the states regulating office-based surgery. We need guidelines, not regulations. We need to lead, not follow," said Paul Friedrichs, MD, a YPS delegate from Andrews Air Force Base, Md. [...]

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