The March 12 Common Ground article, “Use of chaperones: Oregon Medical Board changes,” featured the Oregon Medical Board rule change that begins July 1, which requires licensees to offer a trained chaperone to be physically present for:
The article also included Salem Health’s chaperones policy changes, effective July 1, and requested providers seek clarity from their section chiefs to prepare for the upcoming Medical Chaperone Rule OAR 847-010-0130.
The Physician Leadership Council, comprised of 30 clinical section chiefs, met in March and below is an updated FAQ based on questions they’ve received. Please note that several questions can also be located in the OMB FAQ.
The OMB considers trained chaperones to include:
All employees of Salem Health Hospitals and Clinics who have been identified as non-licensed healthcare professionals and who serve as chaperones have been assigned an OMB approved training course via HealthStream with completion due by July 1. This includes medical assistants, ED techs, medical techs and unit clerks on applicable units. All incoming employees for these roles will complete training upon hire.
The Oregon Medical Board provided an example course on their FAQ # 15. The OMB approved the Salem Health Hospitals and Clinics HealthStream slides for internal education. These slides will be distributed to the clinical section chiefs should you want a copy for your clinic. Please contact your section chief or Kelly.Aebi@salemhealth.org if you are interested. Please note that you are responsible for tracking any education you provide to your staff for OMB compliance. The slide deck provides helpful and useful information on the required use of trained chaperones for sensitive examinations. Salem Health makes no representations or warranties with respect to the accuracy, reliability, sufficiency or completeness of the Medical Chaperone Rule OAR 847-010-0130. Please refer to FAQ #16 from the OMB.
The Medical Staff Office contacted the OMB to learn the OMB rule does not include gender requirements for the chaperone, but the patient may request a certain gender and licensees should ensure that patient is comfortable to the best of their ability.
The OMB FAQ #6 states, “A licensee is not required to offer a chaperone if a medical chaperone is already present in the normal course of the examination.”
The OMB FAQ #20 states, “The medical chaperone may assist the licensee during the examination as long as the tasks do not obstruct or distract the chaperone from observing the licensee’s behavior and actions.”
Questions? Please contact your clinical section chief or Kelly.Aebi@salemhealth.org.