American
Society for Dermatologic Surgery Cautions Consumers About Complications
From Non-Physician Practice of Cosmetic Skin Surgery
2002 Survey Shows Significant Rise in Patients Seeking Corrective Treatment From Laser/Light Hair Removal Procedures.
NEW YORK, July 22 /PRNewswire/ -- The 2002 member survey of the American
Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS) indicates that cosmetic procedures
performed by non-physicians without adequate training or supervision
continue to pose a public safety concern. Numerous medical treatments
that traditionally present a low risk profile when performed by qualified
dermatologic surgeons are now being cited as the cause of scars, burns,
permanent skin discoloration and even misdiagnoses of serious conditions
like skin cancers. Accordingly, the Society will extend for another
year its awareness campaign to warn consumers about the risks of complications
and the unscrupulous practices associated with various invasive and
noninvasive medical procedures administered by non-physician operators
at spas, salons or clinics.
The announcement was made here today by ASDS President-elect Dr. Roy
G. Geronemus as he told reporters and representatives from the New York
State Department of Education and Office of the Attorney General that
the results of the 2002 study underscore the need for improved awareness,
legislation and enforcement regarding the non-physician practice of
medicine. "The Society will remain vigilant in our efforts
to protect patients on this issue," he stated.
In the recent ASDS member survey, nearly 41% of respondents reported
an increase in patients seeking corrective treatment over the past year
due to damage caused by untrained non-physicians performing laser/light
hair removal, subsurface laser/light rejuvenation techniques, chemical
peels, acne therapy and misdiagnosis or delayed treatment of skin cancers
and rosacea. Laser and light-based hair removal procedures by
non-physicians were again the most widely reported complication with
106 dermatologic surgeons noting such adverse effects as second and
third degree burns, permanent nerve damage and scarring. This
is an increase of 7% when compared to last year's data for hair removal
procedures.
Sixty-seven respondents treated cases of complications experienced by
rosacea patients, and 66 ASDS members reported damage from chemical
peeling procedures performed by non-physician operators. For the
first time, a considerable number of dermatologic surgeons -- 61 --
noted complications from acne therapy.
" Compared to 2001, the incidence of complications from laser and
light- based hair removal procedures by non-physicians increased significantly
from 24% in 2001 to 31% in 2002, with these high-tech hair removal procedures
remaining the leading source of complications," says Dr. Geronemus
who alone this year has treated 15 patients following substandard laser/light
therapy. "And while we are pleased to note some minimal improvement
in the rate of complications from certain procedures like rosacea, it's
worrisome to see chemical peels still quite high, and acne therapy come
on the radar screen rather dramatically," he adds.
To address these concerns, the Society had issued position statements
on the non-physician practice of medicine, and ASDS members have been
instrumental in encouraging state medical boards, education departments
and health departments to re-examine the legal definition of the practice
of medicine and address new procedures or technologies with respect
to the delegation of that procedure or technology to a non-physician.
For example, during the past year reform efforts have resulted in a
revised position statement on the utilization of medical lasers and
chemical peels under direct and onsite physician supervision by the
Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners. Oregon introduced
new guidelines on laser procedures that now require delegation of such
procedures only under direct physician supervision. And, just last month,
the New York State Board of Medicine passed a resolution recommending
that the use of lasers and intense pulsed light for hair removal be
cons! idered the practice of medicine and thus must be performed by
a physician or done under direct physician supervision. Policies
regarding laser use in Texas are pending review by the state medical
board and health department.
" The bottom line for our specialty is to protect consumers from
the proliferation of non-physicians who typically do not have the necessary
medical training and qualifications to diagnose the condition, perform
the procedure or adequately address complications when they arise, particularly
when treatment is administered outside the medical setting," says
Dr. Geronemus. "Since the incidence of complications reflected
in our survey may just be the 'tip of the iceberg,' we clearly have
more work to do."
Consumers seeking additional information about skin surgery treatments
and referrals to board-certified dermatologic surgeons are urged to
contact the ASDS consumer hotline at 1-800-441-2737 (ASDS) or log on
to www.aboutskinsurgery.com .
The American Society for Dermatologic Surgery was founded in 1970 to
promote excellence in the subspecialty of dermatologic surgery and foster
the highest standards of patient care. With more than 2,400 members,
the ASDS is the nation's primary resource and advocate for education,
research and practice enhancement related to cosmetic, therapeutic and
reconstructive dermatologic surgery.
Editor's Note: Additional information on this issue is posted
on the Society's web site, www.aboutskinsurgery.com , including photos
of patient complications. Patients and physicians to interview
are available.
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SOURCE American Society for Dermatologic Surgery
CO: American Society for Dermatologic Surgery |
