Local Physician Helps Reform State Safety Regulations
The Centre, P.C. offers the latest plastic surgery procedures to patients in Elkhart and South Bend, Indiana, Michiana and the Southern Michigan area, and Chicago.
Elkhart, Indiana (June 12, 2008) – Physicians and medical staffs performing surgeries in private practice offices must adhere to new rules set by the Indiana Medical Licensing Branch (MLB) effective May 23. Dr. Ronald K. Downs, F.A.C.S., founder of The Centre, P.C. plastic surgery practice in Elkhart, IN, headed the Indiana State Medical Association (ISMA) task force that helped establish the new rules.
Dr. Downs led the ISMA task force through two years of reviewing drafts and providing feedback for proposed additions to the Indiana safety standards for sedating patients in private-practice offices. The task force worked closely with the MLB, and included members of the Indiana Society of Anesthesiologists, to regulate procedures performed in all private-practice settings that require moderate sedation/analgesia, deep sedation/analgesia, general anesthesia and regional anesthesia.
“Our goal was patient safety,” said Dr. Downs. “The task force worked very hard to assure the rules were comprehensive and complete to provide the utmost in patient safety.”
The new rules allow only board-certified anesthesiologists and certified registered nurses to administer certain types of anesthesia, and outline new standards for informed consent, peer reviews, EMS agreements, privileging, and anesthesia education and training. In addition, after January 1, 2010, all private practice surgery settings must be accredited by an agency approved by the MLB.
“Patient safety must always remain at the heart of our profession, and these rules go a long way to help Indiana physicians continue to provide high quality, accessible service to their patients,” Dr. Downs concluded.
The Centre, P.C. is a comprehensive plastic surgery practice with board certified plastic surgeons—all members of the American Society of Plastic Surgery—who deliver professional care to patients throughout northern Indiana, southern Michigan and the Chicago area. Reconstructive and cosmetic surgery, hand therapy services, and non-surgical options including skin health products and a medical spa are all available at both their Elkhart and Chesterton locations. For more information, visit www.TheCentrePC.Com.
Press Contacts:
Lisa Brotchi Azzarito
1-800-909-2992
lisab@thecentrepc.com
- 800.909.2992
Elkhart Office
RiverPointe Medical Building
500 Arcade Ave., Suite 300
Elkhart, IN 46514
Phone: 574-296-9100
FAX: 574-293-1511
South Bend Office
MEDICAL PAVILION I
720 EAST CEDAR STREET, SUITE 450
SOUTH BEND, IN 46617
PHONE: 574-233-9100
FAX: 574-233-9108
Chesterton Office
1830 SOUTH 11TH STREET
Chesterton, IN 46304
Phone: 219-395-9200
