2011 Wisconsin Act 161
Authorizing Physician Assistants to Complete Certain Medically-Related
Actions in Nursing Homes and Community Based Residential Facilities
PDF Version
of DQA 12-006 (PDF, 60 KB)
2011 Wisconsin Act 161
Authorizing Physician Assistants to Complete Certain Medically-Related
Actions in Nursing Homes and Community Based Residential Facilities
Governor Scott Walker signed 2011 Wisconsin Act 161 into law on March 28,
2012, effective April 12, 2012. The new law makes changes to Wisconsin
Statutes, Chapter 50, giving physician assistants the authority to complete
certain medically related actions in nursing homes and community based
residential facilities (CBRF). A physician assistant is defined in statute
as an individual licensed by the medical examining board to provide medical
care with physician supervision and direction [Chapter 448.01 (6)].
The purpose of this memo is to provide information to health care
providers regarding the new law. The complete text of 2011 Wisconsin Act 161
can be found at: http://legis.wisconsin.gov/2011/data/acts/11Act161.pdf
Chapter 50.09 Rights of Residents in Nursing Homes and CBRFs
Wisconsin Statutes, Chapter 50.09 was amended to give physician
assistants, similar to advanced practice nurse prescribers, the authority to
medically contraindicate certain rights contained in Chapter 50. These
rights include, the right to private and unrestricted communications [50.09
(1) (a)], the right of spouses or domestic partners to share a room [50.09
(1) (f)] and the right to meet with and participate in activities of social,
religious and community groups [50.09 (1) (h)]. The law was also amended to
allow a physician assistant to authorize the use of a chemical or physical
restraint [50.09 (1) (k)].
CBRF only:
Wis. Admin. Code, DHS 83.32 (3) (g) Freedom from physical restraints,
allows the primary physician or the advanced practice nurse prescriber to
authorize the use of physical restraints upon prior review and approval by
the Department. Under the new law a physician assistant may authorize the
use of physical restraints as long as the use of the physical restraints has
been approved by the Department and all other statutory and administrative
codes are followed.
Contact information of staff in DQA to answer questions
Questions from nursing homes and facilities serving people with
developmental disabilities should be directed to the Regional Field
Operations Director for the region is which your facility is located. http://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/rl_dsl/Contacts/reglmap.htm
Questions from community based residential facilities should be directed
to the Regional Assisted Living Director for the region is which your
facility is located. http://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/rl_dsl/Contacts/ALSreglmap.htm
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Last Updated: May 04, 2012
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