American College Of Obstetricians And Gynecologists

New medical refusal rule may go well beyond abortion decisions

Anne Zieger — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 08:51:21 -0500

For years, federal law has permitted doctors and nurses the right to refuse to perform abortions, and things have more or less stood that way. Earlier this year, however, the Bush Administration stepped into the issue. Federal officials argued that new rules that had just been issued by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists--requiring OB/GYNs to refer patients for procedures they didn't want to perform themselves--were unfair to physicians. In fact, outgoing HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt got involved, asking not only ACOG, but also the profession's certifying board, to hold off.

The Bush Administration is involving itself in medical decision-making issues again, however, and this time it has larger goals. The outgoing leadership is planning to announce a much-broader "right of conscience" rule allowing facilities, doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other healthcare workers to refuse to be involved in procedures to which they object. This could extend current rules beyond abortion, to birth control and artificial insemination. The new rules would also clarify that healthcare workers can refuse to give advice or information to patients who might potentially seek an abortion.

HHS intends the rule to apply to any entity that receives federal funds--a whopping 584,000 providers--including hospitals, doctor's offices and pharmacies.

To learn more about this issue:
- read this piece from the Los Angeles Times

Related Articles:
OB/GYN referral guidelines stir controversy
HHS supports stronger 'provider conscience' options
MDs might not mention treatments they oppose
Born-again medicine

ALSO NOTED: NQF releases healthcare-acquired infection reporting guidelines; ACOG re-examines abortion referral opinion; and mu

Tue, 08 Apr 2008 06:59:50 -0400

> The National Quality Forum has released a new framework for reporting data on healthcare-associated infections, and has released seven new performance measures. Article

> Faced with controversy over its abortion referral guidelines, which some anti-abortion doctors fear could jeopardize their board certification, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists may re-examine its stand. Article

> Vanderbilt University will soon be offering a new doctor of nursing practice degree. Article

> Duke University Medical Center has received a $50 million gift, the biggest in its history, part of which it will use to build a new inpatient facility for its Children's Health Center. Article

And Finally... Chasing away angry dogs may be par for the course...but turkey attacks are a bit much. Articles

Lawsuits, insurance costs stymie ob-gyns

Thu, 27 Mar 2008 07:59:57 -0400

Would you want your baby to be delivered by a complete stranger? According to an article in the Times-Picayune, that scenario is becoming a reality more quickly than you'd think. The threat of expensive lawsuits and skyrocketing medical malpractice premiums have forced several obstetricians and gynecologists to consider leaving the field altogether. The article states that malpractice premiums typically run around $200,000 a year--a number that can double, or even triple if a malpractice case is lost. Dr. David Herzog, an attending physician and teacher at the University of Richmond Medical Center, believes that this trend ultimately will "compromise the care." Herzog thinks that, should things continue on their current path, the birthing process will become "a sterile procedure instead of a beautiful experience."

According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), ob-gyn doctors average around three medical malpractice claims filed against them over the course of their careers.

For more information:
- read the Times-Picayune's article

OB/GYN referral guidelines stir controversy

Thu, 20 Mar 2008 07:59:58 -0400

New guidelines from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists have stirred up controversy, with parties including the Bush Administration weighing in to complain that they may be inappropriate. Under the ACOG guidelines, OB/GYNs are required to make referrals to other doctors if patients want procedures they won't wish to perform themselves, notably abortions and emergency contraception. However, it's not clear whether a specialist could lose certification for refusing to make such referrals. Now, a war of words has erupted between pro-choice and pro-life physicians within the OB/GYN community over whether such standards are appropriate.

At this point, HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt has stepped in, sending a letter to both ACOG and the profession's certifying board, the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology. In his letter, Leavitt said that he was concerned that qualified OB/GYNs could lose their certification over refusing to do something they consider unethical. However, this may be a moot point, as federal law has protected physicians who don't want to perform abortions--or refer to others that do--since 2004.

To learn more about the controversy:
- read this NPR piece