DHDTC DAL 18-09: Clarification Regarding the Training Requirements for Physicians Working in the Emergency Department

May 8, 2018

DHDTC DAL 18-09: Clarification Regarding the Training Requirements for Physicians Working in the Emergency Department

Dear Chief Executive Officer:

The New York State Department of Health (Department) is issuing this guidance to provide clarification regarding the training requirements for physicians working in the Emergency Department.

As you are aware, Title 10 Part 405.19(d)(1)(i)(a) requires that “emergency services attending physicians shall be a licensed and currently registered physician …who is currently certified in advanced trauma life support (ATLS) or has current training and experience equivalent to ATLS. Such physician shall also have successfully completed a course and be current in advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) and pediatric life support (PALS) or have had current training and experience equivalent to ACLS and PALS”.

Those emergency attending physicians who are currently board-certified in emergency medicine will be considered as having current training and experience to ATLS and ACLS. They will not be considered to have current training and experience equivalent to PALS. Those emergency attending physicians who are currently not board-certified in emergency medicine will continue to be required to be current in ATLS, ACLS and PALS or other structured educational programs that are deemed equivalent by the Department. For example, the Department recognizes the Advanced Pediatric Life Support course of the American Academy of Pediatrics and American College of Emergency Physicians as equivalent to PALS.

Those facilities with specialty designations (such as trauma) will be required to be in compliance with the standards governing those designations.

Should you have questions regarding this guidance, please contact the Division of Hospitals and Diagnostic & Treatment Centers at (518) 402-1004 or via email at https://apps.health.ny.gov/surveyd8/email-hospdtc.

Sincerely,

Ruth Leslie
Director
Division of Hospitals and Diagnostic & Treatment Centers