AMA

• The CMS Proposed Rule reviews updated work RVUs for Medicare reimbursement rate revisions in recognition of the physician work value performed within PNS procedures.
• The CPT Editorial Panel revised several neurostimulation CPT procedure codes to provide clarity in the CPT codes descriptors and guidance reflecting the work required by physicians to perform PNS and SCS procedures with current and more advanced technology.
• Curonix is pleased the AMA approved updates that reflect the entire scope of the physician’s work performed in the PNS and SCS surgical procedures.
• The CPT codes descriptors clarification for PNS and SCS procedures provides additional clarity for physicians and their dedicated teams,” said Aure Bruneau, CEO of Curonix.

After several years of controversy, and both praise and blame for his willingness to perform high-risk surgeries, neurosurgeon Charlie Teo has been subject to practice restrictions by a special committee of the Medical Council of New South Wales. So how does the process of restricting doctors’ medical practice work? And what did this mean for Teo?

How are health practitioners regulated in Australia?

• Health practitioner regulators in Australia aren’t generally empowered to make punitive decisions about health professionals’ conduct.
• Instead, Australia’s health practitioner regulations (the so-called “national law”) require decision-makers to exercise their powers to protect patients.
• As the Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency (AHPRA) acknowledges, requirements to protect the public may sometimes result in “a determination that is harsher on the practitioner than if punishment were the sole purpose”.

What happened in the Teo case?

• In late 2022, proceedings commenced against Teo via two complaints by the New South Wales Health Care Complaints Commission (HCCC).
• Tragically, neither patient regained consciousness after the operations and both patients died – one just ten days after.
• The HCCC alleged Teo had engaged in two categories of this wrongdoing: conduct below the standard reasonably expected of a doctor of his training and experience, and unethical conduct.

What were the findings and consequences for Teo?

• Though the committee is not legally bound to apply the rules of evidence applied in criminal courts, it decided, broadly for procedural fairness reasons, to receive and consider all of Teo’s unchallenged evidence.
• In a decision of more than 100 pages, the committee found Teo guilty of unsatisfactory professional conduct.
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What about patient autonomy or clinical freedom?

• Here, the committee had to balance the practitioner’s right to practise medicine against the paramount consideration of patient health and safety and against the patient’s right to exercise autonomy.
• a surgeon does not have a licence to undertake any conceivable procedure even with the agreement or acquiescence of the patient.

Is medical regulation strict in Australia and NSW?

• Many reviews and academic studies find the national law to be fair and appropriate, or not strict enough.
• However, some scholars and representative groups including the Australian Medical Association (AMA) find some aspects are too strict and unsympathetic to practitioners.
• But a potted history of NSW medical history showcases how successive medical scandals have tended to drive strong regulatory reform.

What next for Teo?

Teo may appeal the orders of the committee to the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal or seek a review of the conditions. But as the conditions are not subject to an end date, it appears they will otherwise continue indefinitely.

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• The American Marketing Association (AMA) Chicago announced that Chris McGuire, Director of Client Growth and Engagement at McGuffin Creative Group, has been named chapter president for the coming year.
• Chris is the 87th Chicago chapter president, leading the largest AMA chapter in the country made up of over 750 members, volunteers and board members.
• During his term as president, McGuire will lead AMA Chicago to establish a mentorship program, as well as position the chapter as a marketing resource to the broader Chicago business community.
• “This role is a natural fit for Chris,” Betsy Fiden, Partner, Marketing and Strategy at McGuffin Creative Group, said.

• Immediately following the University’s closing ceremonies on Friday, Yamaha bLU cRU racers geared up for the ninth round of GNCC over the weekend.
• What has become a must-attend event for learning best-practices from Yamaha’s elite bLU cRU cross-country racers, this year’s Yamaha Racing GNCC University hosted nearly 100 students in the wet and muddy conditions at Snowshoe Mountain.
• All students graduated with high honors, walking across the stage to receive their official Yamaha Racing GNCC University diploma, in addition to the praise and admiration of their racing mentors and attending friends and family.
• After the Yamaha Racing GNCC University, the festivities continued at Snowshoe with the ninth round of the 2023 GNCC season.