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Position Statements & Guidelines
- OAGS Position Statements
- Other Guidelines
Scope of Practice:
OAGS MOTION Passed Feb/17 -
It was moved by Dr.C. Vinden and seconded by Dr. R.Singh:
“General Surgeons should not be compelled by their respective hospital to perform certain procedures (i.e. pathology) that are beyond their scope of practice. However, those General Surgeons who are already performing these procedures and feel comfortable doing so, they should be permitted to maintain status quo.”
All were in favor and the motion carried.
Hospital Fees:
OAGS MOTION Passed Feb/17 - It was moved by Dr. J.Macmillan and seconded by Dr. K.Lefebvre: “The OAGS feels General Surgeons should not be charged a fee to access OHIP insured serviced that are required for provision of clinical care (i.e. record keeping, transcription services, translation services, etc.) that should otherwise already be included under the infrastructure of the hospital.” All were in favor and the motion carried."Blood Borne Pathogen (BBP)" Position Statement
The Ontario Association of General Surgeons and Section on General Surgery Board of Directors strongly advise its General Surgeon members that the first point of protocol concerning a blood borne pathogen situation should be to contact the Canadian Medical Protective Association (CMPA) IMMEDIATELY and ask to speak with a personal advisor: 1-800-267-6522. (Following that, you can proceed with the usual CPSO notification procedures.)
- O.A.G.S. Board of Directors, September 26, 2009 Minutes: Item IV, Paragraph A.
O.A.G.S. "WHO Safe Surgery Checklist" Position Statement
The Ontario Association of General Surgeons and Section on General Surgery Board of Directors feels that its membership should participate but would like to reiterate the document's footnote that states, "additions and modifications to...local practice are encouraged." Members should be advised to customize this checklist and help their hospitals to make the right decisions.
- O.A.G.S. Board of Directors, May 9, 2009 Minutes: Item VII
O.A.G.S. "Guaranteed OR Time" Position Statement
The Ontario Association of General Surgeons (OAGS) and the Section on General Surgery are deeply concerned about the access by General Surgeons to the operating rooms of the province, and decreased operating room availability in order that perceived priority targets, such as joints and cataracts be met.
It is our stated position that a general surgeon requires, at minimum, access to the operating room two full days per week for elective procedures (7.5 hrs/day), which may include endoscopy time .
It is our belief that hospitals that do not comply with this standard are in contravention of the agreement (implied contract), which they make with surgeons to provide appropriate resources.
- O.A.G.S. Board of Directors, January 21, 2006
O.A.G.S. "On-Call" Position Statement
"General surgeons provide essential surgical services across the country. They are in the front line of trauma care and provide care for the sickest surgical patients in the general hospitals. These duties frequently require excessive demands on the surgeon's time." - Canadian Association of General Surgeons (CAGS)
The Ontario Association of General Surgeons believes that general surgeons of this province require relief from onerous call schedules and are entitled to remuneration for being on-call as well. This position statement is specific to the provision of new emergency consultations. It does not relieve the surgeons of responsibilities for patients actively under their care.
The O.A.G.S. agrees with the CAGS position that a maximum 1 in 5 on-call system is reasonable. This maximum should apply to all general surgeons. A surgeon may voluntarily agree to provide more frequent on-call. However, under no circumstances should a hospital administration, board or MAC require a more frequent on-call service.
In some situations, a 1 in 5 on-call service may be too onerous. It is understood that this frequency of on-call should not disrupt the general surgeon's normal daily responsibilities, rest period and non-medical obligations such that the quality of patient care is jeopardized.
Where the general surgery department is unable to provide full coverage for new emergency referrals, then it is the hospital's responsibility for arranging coverage at other facilities.
All general surgeons should receive a retainer fee for being on-call. The surgeon would continue to bill full fee-for-service.
The O.A.G.S. believes that the general surgeons have provided a commendable level of service to the citizens of Ontario for many years. The needs of the general surgeons must be recognized so that the provision of safe, high quality service will not be compromised.
- O.A.G.S. Board of Directors, February 5, 2000
(CEP) Centre for Effective Practice
CCO Pathway Maps (i.e. breast, bladder, colorectal, thyroid, etc.)
CCO Practice Recommendations: Use of Sedation for Hospital-Based Routine Colonoscopies (2017)
CCO Screening Guidelines: Breast Cancer
CCO Screening Guidelines: Colon Cancer
(CPSO)Out-of-Hospital Standards
(CPSO) Clinical Practice Guidelines (i.e. IHF)
CPSO Policies
OMA Principles & Recommendations: Models and Processes of Delivery for Specialty Care
OHA Blood-Borne Diseases Surveillance Protocol for Ontario Hospitals
SHEA Guideline for Management of Healthcare Workers Who Are Infected with Hep B,C, and/or HIV
CPSO Policy on Blood Borne Pathogens
CPSO BBP FAQs
BPIGS/ Best Practice in Surgery Guidelines & Tools