| Hartford, CT –
State Senator Len Fasano (R-North Haven) testified at
a public hearing last week before the General Assembly’s
Public Health Committee in support of SB 90:
An Act Requiring Chiropractors to Obtain Informed Written
Consent From a Patient Prior to Performing Certain Procedures
Involving Treatment of the Cervical Spine.
The bill would require chiropractors to obtain consent
forms from patients who will be receiving any type manipulation
or adjustment of their cervical spine area. The bill will
also require that informed consent includes an explanation
of the potential side effects and corresponding symptoms
of such treatments, including the risk of chiropractic
stroke.
“This bill is not an attack on chiropractors
and their profession,” said Senator Fasano.
“This bill merely calls for an acknowledgement
of the risks associated with these particular treatments.
Just about any time you receive medical attention, from
a flu shot to a prescription medication, you are told
of the potential risks and side effects. This bill would
simply ask chiropractors the same that is asked of other
medical professionals in providing the highest level
of care to their patients.”
Senator Fasano first introduced this bill during last
year’s legislative session after collaborating
with Janet Levy, a Woodbridge resident. Mrs. Levy suffered
a stroke after receiving cervical spine treatment from
a chiropractor. It wasn’t until a week after treatment
that she began experiencing symptoms. At the urging
of a physician, she underwent brain surgery and was
able to eventually recover.
“Chiropractors advertise that their procedures
are ‘safe’ and ‘natural’ so
the public assumes there are no risks. This is simply
not true,” said Mrs. Levy. “Because
of my own experience, and the experiences of countless
others, I want it to be mandatory that chiropractors
inform patients about any and all risks, including stroke,
permanent disability, and death. Chiropractors need
to give not only oral and written consent but they should
also give the patient a discharge summary to go home
with, detailing the warning signs of stroke. Since a
stroke can occur hours, days and even weeks later, this
list of symptoms would help a patient recognize when
and if they should seek immediate care.”
Senator Fasano has long been a proponent of accountability
and transparency within the chiropractic profession.
Last year, he worked to expand the state’s healthcare
registry to include chiropractors and other medical
professionals to comply with the State Physician Profiling
System. The system gives patients access to information
like professional education, licensing and certification.
Also on the registry is information detailing any disciplinary
actions, malpractice judgments or felony criminal charges.
Governor Rell signed this bill into law in June of 2008.
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