2005
There currently are approximately 148 American Academy of Sleep Medicine Diplomates credentialed in New York State. Click Here
There currently are approximately 318 Individual Members of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine residing in New York State. www.aasmnet.org
There currently are approximately 209 RPSGT credentialed individuals residing in New York State. Click Here
There currently are approximately 28 Accredited Sleep Facilities operating in New York State. Click Here
There currently are approximately 147 members of the Association of Polysomnographic Technologists residing in New York State. www.aptweb.org
MARCH 11
New York State Sleep Medicine Professionals:
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine is continuing its advocacy campaign in New York State by engaging major publications and media outlets informing them about the dangers of sleep apnea and the State Board for Respiratory Therapy's plan to limit access to care and quality of care. The attached editorial was drafted by AASM President, Dr. Michael Sateia, for release to nearly 100 media outlets in New York, including national, state, and local newspapers as well as many political publications in Albany. The Academy will continue to provide periodic updates regarding actions taken to protect the professions of polysomnographic technology and sleep medicine in your state.
Editorial:
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A top priority of New York residents is assurance of quality care by their health care provider and access to this care. Recent actions by the New York State Board for Respiratory Therapy, however, will jeopardize residents’ ability to seek sound professional care for the diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders as well as their access to receiving this care at sleep centers and laboratories throughout the state. Respiratory therapists registered in the state are actively petitioning the State Board for Respiratory Therapy to enforce an interpretation of the respiratory therapy practice act through a declaratory ruling, which mandates that only registered respiratory therapists can perform diagnostic and therapeutic services in sleep centers and laboratories.
The administration of services by respiratory therapists has adverse consequences for patients undergoing treatment and individuals seeking diagnosis because these therapists lack full and relevant training in sleep technology. The lack of proper training can result in unnecessary medical mistakes, including the under-diagnosis and misdiagnosis of disorders. Further, mandating that only respiratory therapists can perform sleep-related services creates staffing issues for physician directors of sleep centers and laboratories because of existing shortages of licensed therapists in New York. The compulsory staffing regulation would consequently create shortages of therapists currently practicing traditional respiratory therapy in other health care settings such as hospitals, which affects quality health care for patients in all settings.
The enforcement of this declaratory ruling, as evident, is not only unwise, limiting and a tremendous disservice, but also unnecessary. Currently, polysomnographic technologists ably perform these services in sleep centers and laboratories and provide comprehensive and accurate evaluation of sleep disorders, including polysomnography, diagnostic and therapeutic services, and patient care. Moreover, broad training in polysomnography technology includes education in sleep, polysomnography and breathing, and the recognized board-registry examination adequately tests knowledge in these areas. Clearly, polysomnographic technologists are properly educated, thoroughly trained and the most capable providers for services related to sleep.
The New York State Board for Respiratory Therapy is considering actions not only unprecedented by any other state, but contradictory to all other professional, medical and political trends in the field. Nine states are considering legislation or declaratory rulings that provide exemptions and allowances for polysomnographic technologists to practice uninhibited by respiratory therapy licensure. Further, two states have introduced legislation that establishes polysomnographic technology as an independent licensed profession. Leading physician organizations, including the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, the American College of Chest Physicians and American Thoracic Society, also support the independent profession of polysomnographic technology and oppose the State Board for Respiratory Therapy declaratory ruling.
Unbounded access to the highest quality care for sleep disorders should be an inherent standard, and the declaratory ruling in question is an unnecessarily hindrance. The AASM firmly believes that the people of New York deserve this standard of care, and encourages the Board for Respiratory Therapy to reverse the ruling and to develop a fair, evidence-based interpretation of the practice act.
Michael J. Sateia, MD
President
American Academy of Sleep Medicine
New York State Sleep Medicine Professionals:
The New York State Education Department, at the behest of the New York State Board of Respiratory Therapy (SBRT) is considering an interpretation of the respiratory therapy statute that will severely and negatively impact the practice of sleep medicine in New York State and put your practice of Sleep Medicine in jeopardy. No determination has been finalized, but under strong consideration is an interpretation that would place Polysomnographic Technology under the scope of practice of Respiratory Therapy.
Specifically, the Education Department is considering prohibiting non-hospital based sleep centers from performing polysomnography testing unless performed by a licensed Respiratory Therapist. In addition, hospital-based sleep centers would be prohibited from doing CPAP or Bi-PAP titrations or administering oxygen unless performed by a licensed Respiratory Therapist. The result of this action is the elimination of the profession of Polysomnographic Technology in New York State. If these interpretations were formally rendered, the State Education Department could initiate proceedings against Polysomnographic Technologists for practicing Respiratory Therapy without a license and could even refer offenders to the Attorney General for criminal prosecution.
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine has approved and is currently taking action, in conjunction with the New York State Society of Sleep Medicine (NYSSSM), on several initiatives to delay the enforcement and reverse the ruling.
The Academy is:
[ Soliciting the support and participation of the Medical Society of the State of New York, the Association of Polysomnographic Technologists, and the American Sleep Apnea Association
[ Preparing a letter of agreement with the American Thoracic Society and the American College of Chest Physicians
[ Notifying the SBRT that the AASM is now involved and vehemently opposes the decision memo
[ Engaging the major publications and media outlets informing them about the dangers of sleep apnea and the SBRT's plan to limit access to care and quality of care
[ Should it become necessary, the AASM is prepared to seek legal redress through the New York State Attorney General's office
[ The AASM is also prepared, if necessary, to seek the introduction of new legislation that will protect the Polysomnographic Technologists and the Sleep Medicine professions.
In order to secure the continued safe, informed, and quality practice of Sleep Medicine, we need to make available all the resources possible in achieving our desired outcome.
Your involvement in this issue is much needed and anticipated. I urge you to contact the AASM Government Relations department at (708) 492-0930 or mwhite@aasmnet.org and let us know how you would like to be involved and personal resources you can provide. With your support, we will be able to mount an effective advocacy program that will generate a successful outcome for the field and for your patients.
Sincerely,
Michael J.
Sateia, MD
President, AASM
Neil B.
Kavey, MD
President, NYSSSM
Daniel
Rifkin, MD
President Elect, NYSSSM