The Medispa Industry
Medical spas, also called medispas, are an increasingly popular way for patients to receive everything from facials to injectables.
Despite the growth of the industry and the demand for these procedures, there has also been increasing concern about an overall lack of regulation and oversight faced by medispas. Media personalities and high-profile people like Dr. Oz have warned the public about going to medispas, saying they need to be vigilant when choosing a facility.
The question for medispa staff members and owners is to determine how they can make their facilities as safe as possible for patients to quell negative stereotypes and provide the very best care.
1.Learn and Adhere to OSHA Standards
Since medispas, in general, are a relatively new concept that infuse elements of medical and spa treatments, many operators may not be aware of all OSHA standards to which they’re expected to comply. If there is an OSHA violation that’s discoveredupon inspection it can result in significant fines for a medispa—usually, these fines begin at around $1,500, but depending on the issue can go up to $7,500. Medispas can not only avoid these penalties but also create a safer environment by gaining a thorough understanding of OSHA regulations, implementing them and training all staff members.
2. Train All Medical Staff
Training is critical in any medical environment, and this certainly holds true for medispas. Invest the time and money necessary to train both licensed physicians and non-physicians to adhere to a strict set of ethical and safety standards. Make sure that not only everyone is trained comprehensively, but that training is ongoing.
3. Follow HIPAA Standards
As well as OSHA standards there is another set of federal regulations thatmedispas must follow, and that’s HIPAA. Make sure all communications, technology, and staff members are up-to-date on current HIPAA standards and practices to mitigate associated risks and liability.
4. Be Prepared for Unexpected and Emergency Situations
People in the healthcare industry are generally highly trained in dealing with any and all types of emergency or unexpected situations. Professionals in the medispa industry should take the same measures to put emergency guidelines and protocols in place. While emergencies are uncommon in these situations, they do occur.
5. Learn the Standards for Medical Waste Disposal
Central to most medispas is the use of sharps, including a variety of needles and injectibles supplies. Medispas should learn the federal and state guidelines that mandate how this waste is disposed of, to prevent not only potential health hazards but also fines that occur as a result of violations.
An Expanding Industry
According to research compiled by the American Academy of Dermatology Association, the worldwide medical aesthetics market will reach $4 billion by 2017. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons reported there were nearly 12 million minimally invasive procedures on patients in 2010 with 5.4 million of those being the injection of botulinum toxins. 1.8 were soft tissue fillers, and 1.1 million were chemical peels. This level of growth makes it imperative to develop and implement a vigilant patient health and safety strategy in medispas.
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