Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman HEATHER SIMMONS
District 3 (Cumberland, Gloucester and Salem)
Assemblywoman MELINDA KANE
District 6 (Burlington and Camden)
SYNOPSIS
Authorizes DOH to promulgate clinical guidelines for outpatient gynecological procedures and creates advisory committee.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act establishing clinical standards for outpatient gynecological procedures, creating an advisory committee, and supplementing Title 26 of the Revised Statutes.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. a. Within 180 days of the date of enactment of this act, the Commissioner of Health shall develop and after notice and opportunity for public comment disseminate evidence-based guidelines for the effective pain management of outpatient gynecological procedures, including, but not limited to, cervical biopsies, intrauterine device insertions, endometrial biopsies, and hysteroscopies. The guidelines shall include recommendations for the use of: (1) local anesthesia; (2) analgesics; and (3) any other appropriate pain relief measures used in the performance of an outpatient gynecological procedure.
b. Prior to developing the guidelines pursuant to section a. of this act, the commissioner shall establish an advisory committee composed of health care providers, members of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and relevant members from patient advocacy groups. The advisory committee shall provide input on the development of the pain management guidelines and monitor the effectiveness of the guidelines once the guidelines are promulgated. The commissioner shall meet annually with the advisory committee for ongoing stakeholder engagement and participation to survey the effectiveness of the guidelines and update the guidelines as necessary.
2. The Commissioner of Health, pursuant to the “Administrative Procedure Act,” P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), shall adopt rules and regulations as necessary to effectuate the provisions of this act.
3. This act shall take effect 30 days from the date of enactment, except that the Commissioner of Health may take any anticipatory administrative action in advance as necessary for the implementation of this act.
STATEMENT
This bill directs the Department of Health (department) to develop and disseminate clinical guidelines for effective pain management of outpatient gynecological procedures. The guidelines should include recommendations for the use of: (1) local anesthesia; (2) analgesics; and (3) any other appropriate pain relief measures used in the performance of an outpatient gynecological procedure.
Prior to the development of the guidelines, the department would establish an advisory committee composed of health care providers, members of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and members from patient advocacy groups. The advisory committee would provide input on the development of the pain management guidelines and monitor the effectiveness of the guidelines once the guidelines are promulgated. Under the bill, the guidelines would be surveyed and updated, as necessary, periodically.