The March meeting of the Physician Assistant Advisory Committee convened in accordance with its notice to the Secretary of State, the Bergen Record, the Trenton Times, Star Ledger and Courier Post and was conducted in accordance with the provisions of the Open Public Meeting Act.

The meeting was called to order at 9:00 A.M., by Vice President Newman. The following attendance was recorded for these Minutes.

PRESENT: Todd Newman ABSENT: George Argast Claire O?Connell Dr. Jeffrey Berman Jeffrey Maas

Also in attendance: Dorcas K. O?Neal, Executive Director, Megan Cordoma, Deputy Attorney General and Kathleen Griffith, Staff.

I. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

a. The Committee reviewed the Public Session Minutes for January 18, 2008. On a motion by Claire O?Connell, seconded by Jeffrey Maas, the minutes were unanimously approved as submitted.

II. OLD BUSINESS

There were no items of old business.

III. NEW BUSINESS

a. The Committee reviewed a fax from Aldo Torrente, PA-C, inquiring as to whether the current regulations of the new Adult Day Health Services (ADHS) regulations impact all physician assistants who serve or could serve in the ADHS level of care. Querist, requested that the Physician Assistant Advisory Committee advocate for a re-examination of the regulations, and for a revision which includes physician assistants as a professional authorized to complete the FD411 and MDS-HC assessments.

On a motion by Claire O?Connell, seconded by Jeffrey Maas, the Committee determined that the letter from Mr. Torrente be referred to the Department of Health and Senior Services and requesting clarification as to the authorization and status of the regulations for Adult Day Health Services (ADHS). Mr. Torrente will be so advised.

b. The Committee reviewed a fax from Dr. Jon Hershkowitz, Correctional Health Services, LLC., inquiring as to whether it is permissible to have a physician assistant on-site without a direct presence by a physician who will always be available by phone; whether medical orders and chart notes need to be co-signed by the physician, and if so, how frequently; whether this signature can be done by fax and whether the physician assistant is allowed to take call by phone.

The Committee determined that as to question (1) pursuant to N.J.A.C. 13:35-2B. 10 (a) and (b) 1 and (2), Supervision, a physician assistant shall engage in practice only under the direct supervision of a physician. The physician assistant shall not render care unless the following conditions are met:

1. In an inpatient setting, the supervising physician or physician-designee is continuously or intermittently present on-site with constant availability through electronic communications for consultation or recall;

2. In an outpatient setting, the supervising physician or physician-designee is constantly available through electronic communications for consultation or recall.

As to question ( 2) pursuant to N.J.A.C. 13:35-2B.10 (b) 4. (i) and (ii) Supervision, the supervising physician or physician-designee personally reviews all charts and patient records and countersigns all medical orders as follows:

i. In an inpatient setting, within 24 hours of the physician assistant?s entry of the order in the patient record; and

ii. In an outpatient setting, within a maximum of seven days of the physician assistant?s entry of the order in the patient record, except that in the case of any medical order prescribing or administering medication, a physician shall review and countersign the order within 48 hours of its entry by the physician assistant. Further, this may be done by fax.

As to question 3, a physician assistant may take call by phone. On a motion made by Claire O?Connell, seconded by Jeffrey Maas, the Committee determined that Dr. Hershkowitz will be so advised and provided a copy of the regulations.

c. The Committee reviewed a fax from Jo-Ann Marchica, inquiring as to whether physician assistants can order audiological tests and whether physician assistants can perform the audiological tests.

The Committee determined that a physician assistant may order audiological tests and perform the audiological tests, pursuant to N.J.A.C. 13:35-2B.4 (b) Scope of Practice. A licensee who has complied with the provisions of N.J..A.C. 13:35-2B.3 Practice Requirements, may perform the following procedures, provided the procedures are within the training and experience of both the supervising physician and the physician assistant, only when the supervising directs the licensee to perform the procedures or orders or prescribes the procedures, or the procedures are specified in a written protocol approved by the Board. Ms. Marchica will be so advised.

d. The Committee reviewed a fax inquiring as to whether a physician assistant can treat family members. The Committee determined that a physician assistant may treat family members with all protections, rules and supervision requirements, applicable to all patients. Querist will be referred to the website for regulations at www.njconsumeraffairs.gov.

e. A fax from Eric W. Gross, Wolf Block, LLP, inquiring as to whether a general business corporation owned by non-physicians, may lease a physician assistant to a licensed physician for use in his or her sole proprietorship. REAGENDIZED.

IV. REVIEW OF BOARD OF MEDICAL EXAMINERS MINUTES AND AGENDA

a. The Committee reviewed the Ratified Open Board Minutes for December 12, 2007, of the Board of Medical Examiners, as informational.

b. The Committee reviewed the Ratified Committee Minutes, of the Board of Medical Examiners, as informational.

c. The Committee reviewed the Ratified Committee Minutes for February 13, 2008, of the Board of Medical Examiners, as informational.

d. The Committee reviewed the Ratified Open Board Minutes Disciplinary- Matters for December 12, 2007, of the Board of Medical Examiners, as informational.

e The Committee reviewed the Open Board Agenda for February 13, 2008, as informational.

f. The Committee reviewed the Open Board Agenda Disciplinary-Matters for February 13, 2008, of the Board of Medical Examiners, as informational.

g. The Committee reviewed the Ratified Open Board Minutes for January 9, 2008, of the Board of Medical Examiners, as informational.

h. The Committee reviewed the Ratified Open Board Minutes Disciplinary- Matters for January 9, 2008, of the Board of Medical Examiners, as informational.

I. The Committee reviewed the Open Board Agenda for March 19, 200s, as informational.

j. The Committee reviewed the Open Board Agenda Disciplinary-Matters for March 19, 2008, as informational.

V. REVENUE REPORT

a. The Committee reviewed the Revenue Report for January, 2008, as informational.

b. The Committee reviewed the Revenue Report for January 1, 2007 - December 31, 2007, as informational.

c. The Committee reviewed the Revenue Report for February, 2008, as informational.

There being no other business to come before the Committee in Public Session, on a motion by Claire O?Connell, seconded by Jeffrey Maas, the Public Session was adjourned and the Committee convened in Executive Session for the purpose of receiving counsel, to review twelve (12) matters of old business and five (5) applications.

The Committee reconvened in Public Session. The next scheduled meeting is April 18, 2008. There being no other business to come before the Committee in Public Session, the meeting was adjourned at 12:00 noon.

Respectfully submitted
Physician Assistant Advisory Committee

Dorcas K. O?Neal
Executive Director

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