Collegial Relationships: Extending Otolaryngology Practice with Other Professional Providers

• Perform physical examinations
• Elicit medical histories
• Diagnose and treat illnesses and injuries
• Order and interpret laboratory and radiographic studies
• Educate and counsel patients
• Perform minor surgical procedures
• First-assist in surgery
• Assist with call
• Render emergency care
• Facilitate patient referral to the appropriate physician or agency
• Conduct research and drug studies
• Prescribe medication (in most states)

Source: The Society of Physician Assistants in Otorhinolaryngology–Head—Neck Surgery: www.entpa.org/FAQ.html

The Survey Says’

The Society of Physician Assistants in Otorhinolaryngology/Head—Neck Surgery surveyed their membership in 2003 about the specifics of their productivity. The following represents the proportion of PAs who perform these tasks in their ENT practices.

• 93% Removal of ear foreign bodies
• 89% Nasal cautery (32% electrical, 86% chemical)
• 89% Fiberoptic laryngoscopy
• 89% Removal of nasal foreign body
• 86% Packs / splints removal
• 82% Mastoid cavity cleansing
• 82% Pre / post-op H&P
• 75% Rigid nasal endoscopy
• 75% Post-op FESS cleansing
• 68% Anterior nasal packs
• 64% Epley’s or Semont’s maneuver
• 64% Excision/biopsy skin lesion
• 64% Tracheostomy tube change
• 61% I&D of peritonsillar abscess
• 57% Oral biopsy
• 50% Fine needle aspiration
• 50% Hospital consults
• 43% Removal of tubes
• 32% I&D of helical hematoma
• 29% Posterior nasal packs
• 25% Submandibular sialolithotomy
• 25% Stroboscopy
• 21% Myringotomy and tube insertion
• 21% Allergy testing
• 21% Turbinate steroid injection
• 18% Tympanostomy
• 14% Closed reduction nasal fracture
• 14% Transnasal esophagoscopy
• 11% Nasal polypectomy
• 11% Frenulotomy
• 7% Audiometry
• 7% TM patch
• 7% Antral or Proetz irrigation
• 4% Middle ear gentamicin infusion
• 4% Hearing aids
• 4% Placement of sialogram tubing
• 4% Esophageal dilation
• 4% pH probe testing

Source: Adapted from www.entpa.org /scope_of_practice.html

Resources

• Society of Physician Assistants in Otorhinolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery (SPAO–HNS) www.entpa.org
• American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) www.aapa.org
• Society of Otorhinolaryngology Head-Neck Nurses (SOHN) www.sohnnurse.com
• American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) www.aanp.org

©2007 The Triological Society