The Cosmetic Physicians Association of Australia (CPSA) says it’s aware of doctors prescribing S4 medicines such as botulinum toxin, or botox, enabling nurses to administer unsupervised treatments.
Source: news.com.au/entertainment/story/0,28383,25756958-5007185,00.html

Interesting. This is done in the US all the time in Botox clinics in which doctors supposedly serve as medical directors, but are not present for the actual treatments. Botulinum toxin injections are not difficult, but there can be some problems is less trained hands.

Dr Caswell said it was illegal and against medical board guidelines for nurses to administer botox treatments without a doctor’s supervision.

However, she said there were cases of nurses holding botox parties and travelling interstate to carry out the treatments.

The practice is actually illegal in Australia. My malpractice carrier is not crazy about Botox parties unless we hold them in the office. I do all the actual injecting so they are happy.

It is cheaper to have your Botox injected by a nurse, there just might be some risk. It is the patient’s choice at least in the US.

Best Regards,

John Di Saia MD

Originally posted 2009-08-11 09:16:56.