Big Win for Emergency Department Physicians

Big Win for Emergency Department Physicians


POSTED IN: Featured Advocacy,

Governor Jay Nixon signed legislation (Senate Bill 988) into law which gives sole authority of establishing education requirements for emergency department physicians practicing in a facility designated as a trauma, STEMI, or stroke center to the Missouri Board of Healing Arts.

The Missouri College of Emergency Physicians (MOCEP) made this initiative a top priority during the 2016 Legislative Session in order to protect its members from overly burdensome requirements and to protect all patients who seek care in our emergency departments. Prior to this legislation being passed, the education requirements for emergency department physicians who practice in TCD designated centers was handled by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS). DHSS had placed onerous education requirements on emergency department physicians in order for their hospital to meet TCD designations. For example, level one facilities required 10 hours of STEMI/stroke/trauma continuing education.  MOCEP will continue to work for the establishment of reasonable and fair education requirements.

Additional changes are included in this newly signed legislation including an alternative certification process for TCD designation and rescinding the requirement that a barrier be placed around a medical helipad.

Best Regards,

Jonathan Heidt, MD, MHA, FACEP
President, MOCEP
jonathan@mocep.org