Flawed legislation puts Ontarians at risk of misdiagnosis and ineffective treatment: CSDMS

The Canadian Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (CSDMS) and the Canadian Association of Registered Diagnostic Ultrasound Professionals (CARDUP) are making a presentation to the Ontario Legislative Assembly Standing Committee on Social Policy studying Bill 179 (the Regulated Health Professions Statute Law Amendment Act, 2009).

The legislation, if passed as is, would enable nurses to perform diagnostic ultrasounds, amongst various other procedures. This is a serious issue as the legislation would see people without the proper training and certification perform crucial procedures that, if done improperly, could have serious and negative consequences on patients' health.

CSDMS and CARDUP are recommending an amendment to ensure that the patient's health is protected by having the people with the right certification and training perform these critical procedures. The amendment would have nurse practitioners interested in performing ultrasounds go through the same training and obtain the same certification as other ultrasound professionals.

"The government's responsibility is to protect the health of Ontario patients. This flawed legislation puts Ontarians at risk of misdiagnosis and ineffective treatment," said Kim Boles, CSDMS' President.

The proposed legislation ignores requirements for proper training and certification to perform diagnostic ultrasounds, is unclear in scope, increases risks for the health and safety of Ontarians undergoing these procedures and may also result in increased costs on an already strained health care system.

CSDMS and CARDUP call on MPPs from all sides to work together to pass the proposed amendment.