Complete Story
02/03/2017
Use of Light Based Devices
From the Medical Board: "Rule 4731-18-02, Ohio Administrative Code, prohibits a physician from authorizing anyone to apply a light-based medical device to affect the human body --- except as authorized in Rules 4731-18-03 and 4731-18-04. Rule 4731-18-03 authorizes the physician to have a physician assistant, nurse, or cosmetic therapist perform laser hair removal in compliance with certain standards, including having the physician on-site. Rule 4731-18-04 allows a physician to delegate phototherapy in treatment of hyperbilirubinemia in neonates and fluorescent lamp phototherapy device for treatment of psoriasis and similar skin diseases. Therefore, a supervising physician may not authorize a physician assistant to utilize all light emitting devices for other than laser hair removal.
The Medical Board will be revisiting the rules in Chapter 4731-18 of the Ohio Administrative Code starting in February 2016. However, it will take at least one year for any changes in the rules to be effective."
OAPA encourages you to keep this issue in front of the Medical Board by sending a letter urging them to revisit the rules as soon as possible. OAPA has developed a model letter for you to use.
