The state Office of Health Care Access decided the three ophthalmologists, who are listed on the physician staff of the Constitution Eye Surgery Center East in Waterford, Conn., do not have to provide on-call coverage. In 2000, state healthcare regulators granted the free-standing eye surgery center to permission to open as long as the three physicians, who are also surgery center owners, provided on-call coverage for patients needing specialty eye care in the L&M emergency department.
Shortly after the 2000 decision, Drs. Klimek and Barri requested a change in their L&M medical staff status from “active” to “senior.” Dr. Lanzillo followed suit in 2005, and a fourth surgery center physician made the request in Feb. 2011.
In Sept. 2010, a local ophthalmologist asked OHCA to enforce the conditions of the 2000 decision because the three physicians had refused to provide on-call coverage when asked. OHCA conducted a hearing in March and made the decision this week to release the physicians from their on-call coverage responsibilities. According to the report, the administrator of the eye surgery center, Elizabeth Windhom, said the ASC is pleased with the decision.
Read The Day report on the ASC eye surgeons.
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