A crackdown on underqualified surgeons working in day clinics is needed to curb an increasing number of botched medical procedures, leading doctors' groups say.
The Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA), the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) and the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) also wants tougher regulation of the industry.
The groups have raised serious safety concerns in their call for minimum surgery standards in day clinics.
It follows the death of Jean Huang, 35, after undergoing breast surgery at a Sydney beauty salon in August.
She was a manager at the clinic.
A paper published by the three organisations said there had been reports of serious patient harm linked to procedures performed in "office settings", where intravenous sedation and potentially toxic doses of local anaesthesia had been administered.
ANZCA President Professor David Scott there was a lack of consistency between states when it came to regulating day clinics, and an overhaul of minimum standards was needed.
"We're really concerned about the increasing number of episodes of harm as a result of procedures being performed in unregulated environments, by people who don't necessarily have the appropriate qualifications," Professor Scott said.
"We want the same set of rules and guidelines that we've put in place to build legislation to protect the public."
Sydney surgery death 'not an isolated incident'
The recommendations include that facilities be designed specifically for day surgeries and procedures, and be stocked with equipment similar to inpatient theatres.
The groups have also recommended:
- Regular assessment of clinics by authorities
- Mandatory registration and training for staff
- The use of appropriately qualified anaesthetists
- Better monitoring of patients post-procedure, both at clinics and at home
- Proper documentation of operations
Professor Scott said the death of Ms Huang was not an isolated incident, and showed an overhaul was needed.
"There are events occurring in a number of states, and all the states have realised there's regulation needed in this space," he said.
"[But] they're going about it in different ways. We're saying, let's get onto the same program, let's get around the same set of rules."
