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State sets out to improve office-based surgery following tragedy

Ambulatory Surgery Reimbursement Update, August 9, 2005

The New York health commissioner is reconstituting a special advisory panel to study and recommend additional ways to improve the safety and outcomes of office-based surgery following recent surgery tragedies, according to a statement issued by the New York State Department of Health.

The Committee on Quality Assurance in Office-Based Surgery, originally established in 1997 to develop guidelines for physicians establishing office-based surgical practices, was reconvened by Health Commissioner Antonia C. Novello, MD, MPH, DrPH, to further examine patient safety in the rapidly-growing setting.

The reconvening comes in the wake of the high profile case of Manhattan surgeon Dr. David Haim Ostad, who recently surrendered his medical license after being charged with 11 counts of misconduct for the care he provided to five patients.

"While the overwhelming majority of medical practitioners in New York provide outstanding care to their patients, we must be vigilant in protecting the public from those who would harm their patients through negligence and malpractice," said Novello.

"This advisory panel will allow us to evaluate the impact of office-based surgery on patient safety and health outcomes, and will provide us with guidance that will aid us in keeping New York State in the vanguard of healthcare delivery and patient safety," he said.

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