http://www.ohiopa.com/PA%20Bulletin.htm

Thats right, Ohio hospitalist PAs now need zero doctor supervision. all the ohio FP and IM docs using these guys as hospitalists can now kiss that money stream goodbye.

The same thing is happening with anesthesiologists and CRNAs. Just a matter of time before it gets extended to the outpatient world.

This is what happens when you whore out your profession to outsiders.

I'm not sure your interpretation of this law is correct. In fact, it states: "Supervision Agreements Still Required. The new PA law continues to require all PAs to have a supervision agreement with their supervising physician regardless of whether the PA practices under a physician supervisory plan or works at a hospital or other health care facility".

What I think you're referring to are the statements below- which aren't anything new in many states, as far as I can tell. The hospitalist isn't required to countersign an order- but is still required in a supervising role.

Physician Countersignature Eliminated. The new PA law eliminates the requirement that the PA's supervising physician must countersign the PA's medical orders before the orders can be executed. Instead, each supervising physician is now required to establish a quality assurance system to be used in supervising the PA to include a process for routine review of at least a portion of the PA's patient record entries and medical orders.

PAs May See New Patients The new PA law eliminates the current requirement that a supervising physician be on the premises and personally evaluate a new patient or an established patient with a new condition before a PA's treatment plan can be initiated.

I read this subject line as saying that docs in Ohio could no longer supervise hospitalists in Pennsylvania and wondered what the big deal was.

As to the actual topic at hand, for the most part, the law recognizes PAs as residents who can't write for schedule 2 goodies, so neither of those things mentioned above seems unreasonable based on current regulations other places.

http://www.ohiopa.com/PA%20Bulletin.htm

Thats right, Ohio hospitalist PAs now need zero doctor supervision. all the ohio FP and IM docs using these guys as hospitalists can now kiss that money stream goodbye.

The same thing is happening with anesthesiologists and CRNAs. Just a matter of time before it gets extended to the outpatient world.

This is what happens when you whore out your profession to outsiders.


Umm lets see where to start. PA's in Ohio still require physician supervision. The law just lets the hospital boards decide what level that needs to be. They also got rid of the co-signature rule which is a tremendous burden in rural hospitals. Overall this is the trend - let the supervising physicians and hospital bylaws comittees decide the level of supervision needed since they know the players and the local conditions best. BTW this applies to any PA working in a hospital not just hospitalist PA's. So if a specialty practice hires a PA for inpatient work then this also applies. The hallmark of PA/Physician interaction is medical practice in partnership with the physician.

As for the CRNA/Anesthesiology part. CRNA's have never needed an Anesthesiologist to practice. In states that require collaboration it can be any physician, podiatrist or dentist.


David Carpenter, PA-C

As for the CRNA

I'm not sure your interpretation of this law is correct. In fact, it states: "Supervision Agreements Still Required. The new PA law continues to require all PAs to have a supervision agreement with their supervising physician regardless of whether the PA practices under a physician supervisory plan or works at a hospital or other health care facility".


Did you read this part:

A physician supervisory plan or special services plan is not required for the services a PA provides in a hospital or other specified health care facility. Instead, the PA's practice is to be governed by the policies of that facility.

The bottom line is that there was previously a statewide mandate for doctor supervision, that has now been removed. A clear weakening of "supervision" rules. Supervision is largely a sham anyways, I'm sure Ohio will move to the North Carolina model of "supervision" eventually.