California outpatient surgery centers that perform liposuction surgeries, Lap-Band surgeries, and other related procedures will be facing tougher regulations, as Governor Jerry Brown signed a new law requiring stricter rules and enforcement of safety standards.
State senator Curren Price Jr. (D-Los Angeles), author of the bill, became interested in this legislation after Kanye West's mother died from liposuction and breast augmentation surgery at an outpatient surgery clinic. The legislation received increased support after five patients died from having Lap-Band weight loss surgeries at outpatient centers in Beverly Hills and West Hills, affiliated with the 1-800-GET-THIN company. Senator Price stated, "It brings oversight that's long overdue over these clinics…It's going to protect the public's health and safety."
Under the law, private accrediting firms will inspect the outpatient centers at least once every three years, and this includes surprise inspections. If the safety standards are not met, the accrediting firms have the power to demand improvements or revoke the surgery center's certification.
This new law provides tougher regulation and enforcement than the previous legislation, as previous legislation allowed a loophole whereby a surgery center that lost its' accreditation with one agency for safety violations, could shop around for multiple firms, until it found an agency that would approve it. This bill will help surgery centers meet stricter safety standards for administering the proper medication and cleanliness. If the surgery center has been placed on probation, reprimanded, or its license has been suspended, the state medical board must notify the public through its website.
Supporters of the bill include Betty Brown, whose sister died from a Lap-Band surgery, performed in a Beverly Hills outpatient clinic. The coroner's report traced the blame to the anesthesiologist, who was on probation at the time for an unrelated crime. Brown believes if the new regulation had been put in place, her sister may not have died. "With more regulation, there would be less a chance something like this happening. This shouldn't continue to happen." A wrongful death lawsuit has been filed by the Walter family and Betty Brown.
For additional information, see the article in the October 10, 2011 issue of the Los Angeles Times, written by Stuart Pfeifer, or visit the online article here. http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-surgery-centers-20111010,0,11547.story