Roll Call Anne M. Eckert, Nancy Schneider, Theresa E. Bartolotta , Hilda Pressman, Anne Marie Mazzu , and Louis J. Conte, D.O.

Absent Freda Renz-Spagnola, Sandra M. Friedland and Jeffrey D. Roffman, M.D.

Also Present Renee Pearson Clark, Executive Director
Michelle Weiner, Deputy Attorney General
Linda Jones, Administrative Staff

Call to Order A quorum being present, the regular bi-monthly meeting of the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Advisory Committee was called to order at 12:40 P.M., 124 Halsey Street, Newark, New Jersey, all members having been notified of time, date, place and materials pertinent thereto having been provided.

Sunshine Law In compliance with Chapter 231 of the Public Law of 1975, notice of this meeting was given by way of the notice filed with the Secretary of State, Trenton Times, the Star Ledger, the Courier-Post and the Record.

II Minutes - Approval of November 10, 2005 Public Session Minutes

Motion made by Hilda Pressman to accept the minutes, seconded by Nancy Schneider . PASSED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE.

III CORRESPONDENCE

1. Letter from Shailashree Nanjundiah, Speech Language Pathologist regarding clarification of regulations for cerumen management.

Motion made by Nancy Schneider, to send Ms. Nanjundiah a letter advising her that it’s the Committee’s position that cerumen management is not included in the scope of practice of an audiologist in the State of New Jersey, seconded by Hilda Pressman. PASSED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE.

2. Fax received from Kathleen Palatucci, Senior, Speech Pathologist from St. Clare’s Healthcare System, regarding medical speech pathology questions regarding scope of practice in a hospital setting.

Motion made by Theresa E. Bartolotta, to send Ms. Palatucci a letter advising her that pursuant to N.J.A.C. 13:44C-7.2, it is within the scope of practice of a speech-language pathologist to perform a clinical swallowing evaluation, modified barium swallow or a speech-language evaluation without a doctor’s prescription. It is also within the scope of practice of a speech-language pathologist to order a diet in the hospital patient’s chart after a clinical swallow evaluation or modified barium swallow study has been completed. The Committee only advises that he or she allow for input from the treating physician so that he or she is made aware of the diet and is able to follow up accordingly on the patient, seconded by Louis J. Conte. PASSED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE.

3. Letter and documentation received from William J. Roche, Clinical Director, the Regional Craniofacial Feeding and Swallowing Center, regarding his compliance with the regulations set down in N.J.A.C. 13:44C-7.2 A Scope of practice: FEES.

Hilda Pressman recused herself.

Motion made by Theresa E. Bartolotta, to send Mr. Roche a letter advising him that the Committee needs to see specific examples of how he has complied with the new regulation for FEES, also, enclosing a copy of the regulation so that he is able to review it in detail and indicate specifically how he is complying with each segment of the regulation, seconded by Louis J. Conte. PASSED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE.

IV OLD BUSINESS

1. Charles Manning, Regulatory Analyst

Mr. Manning to discuss Committee approval of adoption of fee increases.

Motion made by Hilda Pressman, to approve the rule as proposed, seconded by Theresa E. Bartolotta. PASSED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE.

2. Hilda Pressman submits a draft of her comparison study of ASHA’s standards of accreditation and our regulations.

Chair directs Sub Committee members, Theresa E. Bartolotta for Speech Pathology and Nancy Schneider for Audiology, to work with Charles Manning, Regulatory Analyst, on ASHA accreditation standards.

3. Charles Manning and Dr. Conte will provide the Subcommittee with input regarding the draft on cerumen management. All parties will provide feedback on draft and meet prior to the March meeting. Anne M. Eckert and Nancy Schneider will contact ASHA for information on audiologists who specialize in cerumen management.

V NEW BUSINESS

1. Discussion of plans to audit continuing education.

Motion made by Nancy Schneider, to have CEU audit of 5 percent of licensees and have Sub Committee members, Anne M. Eckert, Theresa E. Bartolotta, Hilda Pressman and Nancy Schneider to review CEU’s when they are received, seconded by Theresa E. Bartolotta. PASSED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE.

2. Discussion of plans for 2006 newsletter.

Information to be included in newsletter would be the new fee increase for licensees, disciplinary actions, the process of CEU audit, Speech Language Specialists’ school certification cannot work privately. Follow-up on 2006 newsletter to be done at the March meeting.

VI FOR YOUR INFORMATION

1. Letter received from Susan B. Martz, Director, Office of Program Support Services (OPSS), Department of Education, addressed to Anne M. Eckert, Chairman, regarding receipt of the recommendations submitted by her on behalf of the Committee.

Motion made by Theresa E. Bartolotta, to send letter to the Department of Education to add Audiologist to be able to perform hearing screen testing, seconded by Louis J. Conte. PASSED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE.

VII Legislative Review

1. Assembly No. 3743

The Committee supports this bill as it adequately protects the consumers of this State.

2. Senate No. 188

Considered informational to Committee.

Nancy Schneider moved to go into Executive Session, seconded by Hilda Pressman, at 2:25 P.M., for the purpose of approving the minutes of November 10, 2005, review four matters. Pursuant to the Committee’s investigative authority in order to determine whether violations of law, including Committee regulations, have occurred. The results of these deliberations will be known when and if the Committee determines to initiate disciplinary or other action. If the Committee determines to issue a Uniform Penalty letter, that action will be taken in Public Session immediately after the Executive Session.

Respectfully Submitted,
AUDIOLOGY AND SPEECH-LANGUAGE
PATHOLOGY ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Renee Pearson Clark, Executive Director

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