Medical Aestheticians: Medical Spa Patient Charting

Many aestheticians coming from the day spa industry into the medical spa environment have to learn a whole new way of documentation as a client now transforms into a patient.

Aestheticians who are used to time and date stamping treatments with occasional side or progress notes, now are expected to chart everything they say and do during a patient's treatment. Along with charting comes treatment consent forms, HIPPA Forms, photography consent forms, payment agreement forms, anatomical charting forms, etc.

Medical Aestheticians who have any contact with a patient as any part of their treatment, should be charting everything from follow-up calls, to topical treatments used and the patient's response, to laser settings, test patch tests, follow up appointments, and the patient's tolerances to treatments.

As a new medical aesthetician, your day spa 'client' files have now been transformed into a legal medical records which could need to stand up in a court of law. Some new medical aestheticians I have spoken with have not yet learned to correctly chart and feel they should not be required to.

Why is it patient charting so important? Unfortunately, there have been more recent horror stories hitting the media than stories of healing and hope, especially when it comes to medical spa therapies that involve lasers and IPLs. These circumstances are a catalyst of change to medical laser laws across the U.S. Whether the MD is on site or off site, they (along with the medical esthetician) can be held responsible for any legal implications filed by a patient at the hands of a clinician, laser technician, or medical Esthetician.

While it may seem harsh, even the most skilled and brilliant esthetician should be terminated if they refuse to properly chart and document a patient's care. The rule of thumb is just this... if you didn't chart it, it didn't happen.

If you're a medical esthetician performing medical treatments it's up to you to know what your medical spas requirements are around patient charting and what potential problems exist if you fail to live up to these new requirements.

Medical Spa MD is a medical community of Plastic Surgeons, Cosmetic Dermatologists, and Aesthetic Physicians with more than 4,200 medical spa members. Medical Spa MD offers wholesale Botox online and offers information on nonsurgical cosmetic medical technologies and treatments.

October 17 2009 | Cosmetic Surgery | No Comments »

Plastic Surgery and Breast Augmentation

Women have breast augmentation for an array of reasons. For some it may be she wants to be more endowed, she feels that their breast aren't symmetrical, or just that they are the wrong shape for her. Whatever the reason, it can be a call for attention for women to consider the surgery. The most common reason is a lack of confidence. Having breasts or other body parts she is dislikes can damage th way she sees herself. Breast cancer survivors also have the augmentation surgery after having the damaged tissue removed during treatment. The results are almost universally a boon to the happiness and look of the patient.

The first thing a woman considering breast augmentation needs to think about is the shape she wants. These days, unlike before, the implants come in different shapes. This allows for a more natural look after the surgery. Even though modern implants are slightly more expensive, the natural look is worth the trade off.

When it comes to breast augmentation procedures, another thing that a woman considering the operation should think about is the incision site. There are three different possibilities. Firstly, the implant can be inserted where the breast meets the lower chest. This leaves a small scar, but it is hidden by its location. Another possibility is that the incision can be made where the areola meets the skin of the breast. The implant is then inserted into a pocket made under the muscle. Lastly, an incision can be made in the armpit, or axillary. For the surgeon, this is slightly more work, due to the fact that there is a larger distance between where the implant will lie and where the incision is made.

The patient must think carefully about how they want their breasts to look after the surgery is complete. The patient needs to ask themselves what shape do they want, a more curvy appearance, or a more streamlines look? To get the most out of the procedure, the patient needs to been honest with herself and the surgeon about what she truly wants.

Every body is different so the same implant will look different on every person. A plastic surgeon will be able to give invaluable advice while making this decision.

There are many qualified and skilled surgeons in the United States for women to consult with about breast augmentation. Women considering the procedure should research and ask questions to find the right surgeon to use.

June 19 2009 | Cosmetic Surgery | No Comments »