On May 31, 2013 the Supreme Court of Iowa issued a decision which upholds rules allowing advanced registered nurse practitioners (ARNPs) to supervise radiologic technologists in their use of fluoroscopy machines. The ruling ends litigation that began in June 2010 when the Iowa Society of Anesthesiologists and Iowa Medical Society sued to prevent the implementation of fluoroscopy rules adopted by the Iowa Board of Nursing and the Iowa Department of Public Health.
In the original lawsuit, two rules were called into question. Under the challenged Board of Nursing rules, an ARNP could supervise the use of fluoroscopic X-ray equipment, provided he or she satisfies specified educational criteria, collaborates as needed, and complies with facility policies and procedures (Iowa Admin. Code 655-7.2(152)). The disputed Department of Public Health’s rules required radiologic technologists to perform fluoroscopy under the direct supervision of a licensed practitioner or an ARNP (Iowa Admin. Code 641-41.1...