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Ohio Recognizes Invasive Professionals
The ACVP has spent considerable time, resources and energy supporting pursuit of invasive licensure in the State of Ohio this past year. We have provided testimony, worked with lawyers in the State, prepared statistical analyses and sent a member to the hearings. The result was revision of Department of Health Code 3701-72 governing radiology technology.
There has been considerable discussion regarding the necessity of a radiology technologist only performing specific procedures in the cath lab including radiology technologists, registered nurses and registered cardiovascular professionals. It is through this mix of qualified professionals that the patient will receive the best possible care. When one profession, however, is excluded from performing functions for which he/she is trained, then problems in service delivery may occur.
There was a push earlier in 2000 through the summer in Ohio for radiology technologists only to perform functions in the cath lab. ACVP and others demonstrated that RNs and RCIS's as well as cardiovascular trained radiology technologists are capable of performing functions in the cath lab at the physician's direction. Our efforts in supporting the cath lab team were successful in Ohio!
The definitions acknowledge the practice of invasive technology by an individual who holds a valid certification as a registered cardiovascular invasive specialist with a specialty in invasive technology from CCI. This is remarkable because for the first time, a state has recognized the validity of this credential and defined it in code.
The most remarkable change in the code is written in the licensing requirements. Under section 3701-72-04(C), the State of Ohio invites non-radiology professionals to perform specific functions in the cath lab provided these procedures are performed by an RN or an RCIS. Specifically, the procedures including moving or positioning a patient, working and resetting the fluoroscopic unit and developing cine film.
Check out the code at the Ohio Department of Health Website: http://www.odh.state.oh.us/Rules/rulemain.html