April 14, 2009

SUPREME COURT UPHOLDS INJUNCTION IN CRNA SCOPE OF PRACTICE

Interventional Pain Management Techniques to be Performed Exclusively by Trained Medical Physicians to Ensure Patient Safety

NEW YORK, April 16 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians (ASIPP) announced that the Louisiana Supreme Court has denied a court order filed by the Louisiana State Board of Nursing (LSBN), Louisiana Association of Nurse Anesthetists (LANA) and the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA) to allow the practice of interventional pain techniques by non-physicians. This ruling means that the permanent injunction issued by the 1st Circuit Court of Appeal is now final.

ASIPP and the Louisiana Society of Interventional Pain Physicians (LSIPP) believe interventional pain management procedures are considered a practice of medicine and should be performed by trained, board certified physicians. Subsequently ASIPP and LSIPP became principal supporters in the case along with the help of the American Medical Association and the American Society of Anesthesiology.

"The utmost concern of these organizations was the safety of patients. When these procedures were being performed by individuals with little or no formal training, patients were unknowingly in potential danger," said Dr. J. Michael Burdine of the Spine Diagnostics Center of Baton Rouge. "Being the first victory of this kind, the case has set a precedent and laid down the groundwork for other states. It will now be easier for others to take action and keep the practice of medicine in the hands of those who have been properly skilled, trained, and licensed to do so."

Dr. Burdine, on behalf of the Spine Diagnostics Center of Baton Rouge, first brought the case to the courts in 2005 in an effort to halt the practice of interventional pain techniques by non-physicians, specifically in this case by Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs). It had become common knowledge that CRNAs were engaging in the practice of medicine by performing interventional pain management techniques on patients. In December 2008, the LSBN with the support of the LANA/AANA appealed the December 23, 2008 favorable ruling for the Spine Diagnostics Center of Baton Rouge by the Louisiana Court of Appeals. Although the case has taken longer than anticipated, the outcome now opens doors for other states to take note and guarantee proper patient care.

"The ruling is not only a victory for interventional pain management, but also for patient safety," said ASIPP CEO and Chairman of the Board, Dr. Laxmaiah Manchikanti. "If posed with the choice to join and fight knowing now how long and hard-fought the battle would be, we would nevertheless do it all over again."

ASIPP Executive Vice President and LSIPP Executive Director Dr. Allan Parr agreed saying, "This ruling would never have happened if not for the grassroots efforts of a united specialty."

LSIPP President Dr. Vince Forte who played an active role in the case from the beginning stated, "There is a lesson here for other states that are seeing this same problem; I hope others will take what we have learned and accomplished and put it into action."

About The American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians

ASIPP's mission statement is to promote the development and practice of safe, high quality, cost-effective interventional pain management techniques for the diagnosis and treatment of pain and related disorders, and to ensure patient access to these interventions. Founded in 1998 by current CEO Laxmaiah Manchikanti, MD, ASIPP is a rapidly growing not-for-profit organization that supports the needs of physicians who practice Interventional Pain Management across the country.

Since its inception, the organization has had substantial impact on the practice of interventional pain medicine, resulting in an impressive list of major achievements. In 2005, ASIPP succeeded in passing The National All Schedules Prescription Electronic Reporting Act (NASPER), which provides and improves patient access to quality care, and protects patients and physicians from the deleterious effects of controlled substance misuse, abuse and trafficking. ASIPP is headquartered in Paducah, KY and currently has over 4,000 members. For more information, visit www.asipp.org or call 270.554.9412. Ext. 215