Contact TMB Now!

The Texas Medical Board (TMB) recently proposed a new rule that could dramatically impact the practice of APRNs in Texas across all settings – from hospitals in urban areas to the most remote rural clinics.

 The rule proposal says:

 §193.21.Delegation Related to Radiological Services...

 (d) The following acts have been determined to be the practice of medicine under the authority of the Act, §157.001(b)(1), and cannot be delegated to a midlevel provider, certified radiological technologist (MRT and LMRT), or non-certified radiological technologist (NCT):

 (1) the reading and interpretation of the radiological studies; and

(2) rendering a diagnosis based on the radiological studies.

 Nurse Practitioners and Clinical Nurse Specialists regularly use x-ray and other imaging for everything from mammography to broken bones. Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists use fluoroscopy for central line placement and other procedures. Certified Nurse Midwives use ultrasound to ensure the health of mother and baby during pregnancy. By adopting this rule, physicians on the TMB are prohibiting an essential part of APRN practice and forcing their competition to practice blindfolded.

While almost all APRNs will be affected, APRNs who own or work in small and micro businesses will no longer be able to provide certain treatments. Rural communities that do not have a physician to read and interpret these studies will have to seek care elsewhere. The TMB’s chief responsibility is to protect patient safety, yet as with all regulations the TMB uses to restrict competition from APRNs rather than protect the public, ultimately it is the patient who suffers.

We need TNP Members to contact the Texas Medical Board as soon as possible to express their concern with this rule proposal. See more below.