Connecticut § 20-54a - Convening of panel to establish protocol for permitting certain licensed podiatrists to perform total ankle replacement surgery. Report.

§ 20-54a. Convening of panel to establish protocol for permitting certain licensed podiatrists to perform total ankle replacement surgery. Report.

Sec. 20-54a. Convening of panel to establish protocol for permitting certain licensed podiatrists to perform total ankle replacement surgery. Report. (a) The cochairpersons of the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to public health shall convene a panel comprised of two representatives each from an organization representing podiatrists in the state and an organization representing orthopedic physicians in the state to develop, not later than August 1, 2024, a protocol for permitting licensed podiatrists who have provided documentation to the Department of Public Health of meeting the requirements set forth in subdivision (1) or (2) of subsection (c) of section 20-54, to perform total ankle replacement surgery. The protocol shall consist of a description of the experience, skill and training requirements for performance of such surgery and the procedure for assessing whether a podiatrist has the requisite experience, skill and training. Not later September 1, 2024, the panel shall submit a report, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a, regarding the panel's protocol to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to public health and the Commissioner of Public Health. Not later than October 1, 2024, the commissioner shall post such protocol on the Department of Public Health's Internet web site.

(b) On and after October 1, 2024, a licensed podiatrist who has provided documentation to the Department of Public Health of meeting the requirements set forth in subdivision (1) or (2) of subsection (c) of section 20-54 may apply to a hospital in the state for privileges to perform total ankle replacement surgery at such hospital. A hospital may, at a minimum, utilize the protocol developed pursuant to subsection (a) of this section to assess whether a podiatrist has the requisite experience, skill and training to perform total ankle replacement surgery at such hospital.

(c) A podiatrist who has been approved by a hospital for privileges to perform total ankle replacement surgery pursuant to subsection (b) of this section may perform such surgery at such hospital.

(d) Nothing in this section shall be construed to require a hospital to grant a podiatrist privileges to perform total ankle replacement surgery at the hospital.

(P.A. 24-112, S. 2.)

History: P.A. 24-112 effective June 4, 2024.