Statutory Authority: 24 Delaware Code, Section 1713(a)(12) (24 Del.C. §1713(a)(12))
24 DE Admin. Code 1700
The Delaware Board of Medical Licensure and Discipline, pursuant to 24 Del.C. §1713(a)(12), proposes to revise regulation 6.0 to remove surplusage. Specifically, the proposal removes the words “less than once a quarter” from the regulation as it is unnecessary and renders the regulation’s intent unclear. The Board will hold a public hearing on the proposed regulation change on July 22, 2014 at 3:00 p.m., Second Floor Conference Room A, Cannon Building, 861 Silver Lake Blvd., Dover, DE 19904. Written comments should be sent to Shauna Slaughter, Executive Director of the Delaware Board of Medical Licensure and Discipline, Cannon Building, 861 Silver Lake Blvd., Dover, DE 19904. Written comments will be accepted until August 6, 2014 pursuant to 29 Del.C. §10118(a).
“Accredited Hospital” means a medical facility accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations or the American Osteopathic Hospital Association.
"Emergency Care" means an unplanned and unstructured medical intervention by any individual, whether or not licensed to practice medicine and surgery in the State of Delaware, which, if not immediately provided, would likely result in either loss of life or subsequent permanent impairment.
"FLEX Examination" means the Federation Licensing Examination as promulgated by the Federation of State Medical Boards of the United States, Inc.
"Institutional License" means a certificate to practice medicine as outlined under 24 Del.C. §1722(a)(2).
“LCME” means the examination given by the Medical Council of Canada.
“National Boards” means the examination administered by the National Board of Medical Examiners.
“United States” means the 50 States and its territories or possessions.
4.1.1.1.1 He or she meets all the requirements for licensure specified in 24 Del.C. §1720(b)(1) through (b)(6) excluding (b)(3); and
4.1.1.2 An affidavit of the chief administrative officer of said hospital certifying that the individual will be employed by the hospital and meets all requirements for licensure specified in 24 Del.C. §1720(b)(1) through (b)(6), excluding (b)(3).
4.2.1.1 An affidavit of the chief administrative officer of said institution certifying that the individual will be employed by the institution and meets all the requirements for license specified in 24 Del.C. §1720(a)(1) through (a)(6).
4.2.1.2 An affidavit of the physician seeking licensure certifying that he meets all the requirements for licensure specified in 24 Del.C. §1720(a)(1) through (a)(6).
Consultation may be done telephonically, electronically or in person. Consultation shall ordinarily consist of a history and physical examination, review of records and imaging pathology or similar studies. Consultation includes providing opinions and recommendations. An active Delaware certificate is required of any out of state physician who comes into Delaware to perform a consultation more than twelve (12) times per year. A physician who comes into Delaware to perform consultations less than once a quarter must be actively licensed in another State or country on a full and unrestricted basis. Any consultations done for teaching and/or training purposes may include active participation in procedures and treatment, whether surgical or otherwise, provided a Delaware licensed physician remains responsible as the physician of record, and provided the patient is not charged a fee by the consultant.
7.5 The former licensee may re-apply under the same conditions that govern applicants for new licensure under 24 Del.C. Ch. 17 and meeting any requirements for re-entry to practice established under Board Rule 8.7.
8.0 Dishonorable or Unethical Conduct (24 Del.C. §1731(b)(3))
8.1 The phrase "dishonorable or unethical conduct likely to deceive, defraud, or harm the public" as used in 24 Del.C. 1731(b)(3) shall include, but not be limited to, the following specific acts:
11.1.7 A supervising physician who fails to adhere to these regulations would be considered to be permitting the unauthorized practice of medicine (as defined under 24 Del.C. §1702(12) of the Medical Practice Act), and would be subject to disciplinary action by the Board.
12.1 Pursuant to the provisions of 24 Del.C. §1713(d) the Board adopts the following regulation regarding requirements for continuing medical education as a prerequisite for renewal of registrations to practice medicine in the State of Delaware. Prior to renewal of registrations to practice medicine in this State a physician must be prepared to supply the Board with proof that he has completed forty (40) hours per registration period of continuing medical education in Category I courses approved by the American Medical Association (AMA) or equivalent courses approved by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) since the time of the physician's last renewal of his registration. Individuals enrolled in approved medical or osteopathic resident or fellowship training programs may be requested to submit proof of satisfactory participation in lieu of approved continuing medical education credits. Certification by the Medical Society of Delaware that a physician has completed such continuing medical education since the time of his last renewal of his registration shall be acceptable proof of completion of these requirements.
13.1.1 Rules and Regulations governing Physician Assistant (PA) practice in the State of Delaware. For information relative to the following categories refer to 24 Del.C. Ch. 17:
13.1.1.7.2 No supervising physician may supervise more than 4 physician assistants at any given time unless granted an exemption by the Board. As provided in 24 Del.C. §1771 (f) and (h) the Board may increase or decrease the number of physician assistants being supervised. The Board may issue an exemption to increase the number of physician assistants supervised by a physician upon written application filed by the supervising physician demonstrating good cause for the request. Requests for exemption will be considered on a case-by-case basis. The requesting physician has the burden of demonstrating that the granting of an exemption will not endanger the public health, safety, or welfare.
13.2.1 Physician Assistants must renew their license on a biennial basis by payment of appropriate fees as established by 24 Del.C. §1774A.
13.3.1.5.2 PAs must register biennially with the Secretary of the Department of Health and Social Services in accordance with 16 Del.C. §4732(a).
13.3.1.6 Prescriptions must include the printed or legibly handwritten name of the PA. Prescriptions shall be written in accordance with 17 Del.C. §1764A and shall contain the following information clearly typed or written:
14.1.1 Upon notification of the receipt of an application signed by the applicant accompanied by a letter of recommendation from the Paramedic Administrator of the Office of Emergency Medical Services (OEMS), the Board of Medical Licensure and Discipline (Board) may grant initial certification pursuant to 16 Del.C. §9809(a) to a paramedic whose application establishes that the applicant has meet all of the following course requirements and standards.
“Conviction” means a verdict of guilty by whether entered by a judge or jury, or a plea of guilty or a plea of nolo contendere or other similar plea such as a “Robinson” or “Alford” plea unless the individual has been discharged under §4218 of Title 11 of the Delaware Code (probation before judgment) or under §1024 of Title 10 (domestic violence diversion program) or by §4764 of Title 16 (first offenders controlled substances diversion program).
“Jurisdiction” Substantially similar crimes in another State or Jurisdiction including all crimes prohibited by or punishable under Title 18 of the United Stated Code Annotated (U.S.C.A.) such as, but not limited to, Federal Health Care offenses.
15.3.48 §907B. Criminal impersonation of a police officer, firefighter, EMT, paramedic, fire police;
15.5 Any crime which involves offenses against the public order the commission of which may tend to bring discredit upon the profession and which are thus substantially related to one’s fitness to practice such profession and shall include by way of example and not of limitation the following crimes listed in Title 11 of the Delaware Code Annotated:
15.6 Any crime which involves offenses against a public health order and decency which may tend to bring discredit upon the profession, specifically including the below listed crimes from Title 11 of the Delaware Code Annotated which evidence a lack of appropriate concern for the safety and well being of another person or persons in general or sufficiently flawed judgment to call into question the individual’s ability to make health care decisions or advise upon health care related matters for other individuals.
15.7 Any crime which involves the illegal possession or the misuse or abuse of narcotics, or other addictive substances and those non-addictive substances with a substantial capacity to impair reason or judgment and shall include by way of example and not of limitation the following crimes listed in Chapter 47 of Title 16 of the Delaware Code Annotated:
15.10 The Board reserves the jurisdiction and authority to modify this regulation as and if it becomes necessary to either add or delete crimes including such additions as may be required on an emergency basis under 29 Del.C. §10119 to address imminent peril to the public health, safety or welfare. The Board also specifically reserves the jurisdiction to review any crime committed by an applicant for licensure as a physician and to determine whether to waive the disqualification under 24 Del.C. §1720(d).
17.0 Disciplinary Guidelines [Authority: 24 Del.C. §1713 (f)]
17.1 Purpose: The Legislature has created the Board of Medical Licensure and Discipline to assure the protection of the public from persons who do not meet the minimum requirements for safe practice or who pose a danger to the public. Pursuant to 24 Del.C. §1713(f), the Board provides the disciplinary guidelines it will apply to licensees regulated under 24 Delaware Code, Chapter 17, after a full investigation and at the conclusion of a hearing after finding violations of the Board’s statute and/or regulations. The purpose of this rule is to notify applicants of the ranges of penalties which may be imposed unless the Board finds grounds to deviate from the guidelines due to aggravating or mitigating circumstances (Rules 31.12 and 31.13). The practice of medicine is already subject to both civil and criminal penalties. Recognizing its role as protector of the public’s health, safety, and welfare, the Board offers these guidelines as a means to improve the quality of medical care and not to enforce the penal code, a responsibility left to law enforcement and to the courts. The purpose of imposing discipline is to sanction licensees for violation; deter them from future violations; to offer opportunities for rehabilitation when appropriate; and to dissuade other applicants and licensees from committing disciplinable offenses.