Texas Senate Bill SB1111

Texas 2015 - 84th Regular

Caption

Relating to the administration by certain health care professionals of treatments, therapy, or medication ordered by an optometrist or therapeutic optometrist.

Impact

If enacted, SB1111 is expected to amend various sections within the Occupations Code, specifically regarding the definition of 'professional nursing' and the roles of referring practitioners. This amendment could lead to wider recognition of optometrists in interdisciplinary healthcare settings, thereby increasing the flow of patients seeking eye care and subsequent treatments without the need for excessive referrals to other specialists. It potentially positions optometrists as pivotal figures in the healthcare delivery system, particularly for conditions that fall within their purview.

Summary

SB1111 focuses on the administration of treatments, therapy, or medication that are ordered specifically by licensed optometrists or therapeutic optometrists. The bill seeks to expand the range of healthcare practitioners who can administer care based on referrals from optometrists. This could potentially enhance the capabilities of optometrists in managing patient care and streamline the processes through which patients receive treatments. By enabling broader cooperation between optometrists and other healthcare professionals, the bill can improve patient outcomes in specific health conditions requiring specialized care.

Contention

Discussions around the bill may bring up concerns regarding the scope of practice for optometrists and how it intertwines with established standards for other health professionals, particularly nurses. Some stakeholders may worry that expanding the role of optometrists could lead to overlaps in professional boundaries, which might compromise care quality or patient safety. Thus, while the bill aims to facilitate better collaboration among healthcare providers, it may also need to address concerns regarding the regulatory framework surrounding health practitioners' responsibilities to mitigate any potential risks.