Revised
REPORT OF COUNCIL ON SCIENTIFIC AFFAIRS
CSA Report 4-A-07
Subject: Policy Review
Presented by: Laurie Sutor, MD, Chair
Referred to: Reference Committee on Science and Education
House of Delegates policies in the association's Policy Compendium are reviewed periodically for relevance and appropriateness.
The following policies are current, valid, and relevant.
30.024 Electrologists Regulation and Licensing . Texas Medical Association supports establishment of guidelines for the regulation and licensing of electrologists and to define the scope of practice to be limited to "needle" and "tweezer" hair removal. In addition, TMA supports development of a formal requirement for education in the prevention of disease transmission during hair removal procedures (Resident Physician Section, p 136, A-97).
280.021 Stroke Prevention Awareness . The Texas Medical Association favors collaboration with other concerned organizations, such as the American Medical Association, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Strokes, National Stroke Association, American Academy of Neurologists, and American Health Association, encouraging them to develop an effective media campaign to improve public awareness of and response to stroke symptoms (Medical Student Section, p 188, A-96).
Recommendation 1: Retain.
The council believes the following policy is no longer relevant.
95.015 Therapeutic Pharmaceutical vs. Drug. Recognizing that the term "drug" suggests the use of illicit, mind-altering substances and abuse of pharmaceutical, the Texas Medical Association encourages its members to substitute the term "medication" or "pharmaceutical" in place of "drug" in their interaction with patients (Substitute Resolution 29V, p 167, A-97).
Recommendation 2: Delete.
The council recommends amending Policy 260.047, Low-Level Radioactive Waste Disposal, to delete irrelevant language. Clarifying amendments are recommended to Policy 270.004, Electromyography.
260.047 Low-Level Radioactive Waste Disposal . The Texas Medical Association supports development of a state-of-the-art disposal facility operated by the Texas Low-Level Radioactive Waste Disposal Authority that will fully comply with applicable regulations and protect the health and environment of Texas (Resolution 29O, p 160, A-97).
The Texas Medical Association supports the introduction and passage of a bill that would mandate development of a facility that will lead to the disposal of low-level radioactive waste (Res. 21-I-02).
270.004 Electromyography. Clinical diagnostic electromyography examinations involving the selection of the muscles to be studied, modifying the examination as the data unfolds, inserting the needle electrodes, recording and interpreting the data therapy obtained, describing the findings, and rendering of a diagnostic opinion based upon an integration of the clinical history physical examination features, other pertinent clinical data and electromyographic findings should be performed only by a physician fully licensed in Texas who is also qualified by reason of education, training, and experience in these procedures. When intraoperative EMG monitoring is preformed, it should be supervised either directly or via remote real time telemetry by a physician fully licensed in Texas who is also qualified by reason of education, training, and experience in these procedures. TMA supports, as a patient safety component, the active enforcement of this physician credentials requirement. (Committee on Rehabilitation, p 169, A-96).
Recommendation 3 : Approve as amended.
TMA House of Delegates: TexMed 2007