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A superior court judge has ruled that the state medical board cannot discipline doctors who participate in legal executions. The medical board contended that a doctor who participates in an execution violates professional ethics and is subject to discipline. The court says the board does not have the authority to effect discipline for this reason. Read more.
The Department of State's Division of Licensing Services regulates a number of business-related professions and occupations. A September 2007 audit report concludes that the division is doing a proper job of licensing qualified applicants; however, its reliance on a paper system for processing applications is not efficient. Read the report.
Since 1998, dental assistants completing a state board approved course have been permitted to perform dental scaling under the supervision of a dentist. A new performance audit report concludes that it is difficult to obtain reliable information on this group since dental scaling assistants are unlicensed. No evidence was found to suggest that dental hygienists are being replaced by dental scaling assistants. Read the report.
Health professional regulatory colleges must now maintain public websites containing all disciplinary findings on their registrants. Health professionals are required to report to the colleges any criminal convictions as well as any court decisions related to professional negligence. Read more.
Describing anesthesiologist assistants as a "small but growing" group that is licensed in 15 states and the District of Columbia, this report provides an overview of the profession as of early 2007. Read the report.
The US 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that the use of paid feeding assistants to feed nursing home residents without complicated feeding problems does not violate the intent of the federal Nursing Home Reform Law. Feeding assistants must complete a state-approved training course of at least eight hours and work under the supervision of registered or licensed practical nurses. Read Case Number: 05-36065.
Health Minister Michael McGimpsey has announced a £4.4 million investment in dental services. Among the scheduled expenditures is £400,000 for health boards to help grow the salaried dentists sector. Funds are also available to help ensure an adequate supply of new dentists entering the profession and to increase allowances for vocational trainers taking up new graduates. Read more.
Professionals can now renew their licenses through the state's website, Arizona @ Your Service. The license renewal page.
The Ontario College of Pharmacists has developed a Model Medical Directive for Refilling a Prescription During a Pandemic/Emergency. This assessment tool allows practitioners to "identify the necessary conditions for a proper directive, delegation or practice beyond principal expectations." Read the model directive.
Governor Blagojevich has signed a law establishing a licensing system to oversee professional services for people who are deaf or hard-of-hearing. Licensure will not be mandatory for an interpreter whose services are requested by an individual who is aware the interpreter is not licensed. Read the governor's press release. Read new Public Act 095-0617.
