7 FAM 330
health and medical issues, inter-agency coordination, and
lists of medical resources
(CT:CON-838; 08-27-2018)
(Office Of Origin: CA/OCS)
7 FAM 331 CONSULAR Role
(CT:CON-780; 01-16-2018)
a. As a consular officer, you are responsible for
developing information for the Country Specific Information (see 7 FAM 000
Appendix A and 7 FAM 333)
standard paragraphs about medical facilities and health information. You should
report on emerging communicable disease and other health issues. In addition,
every three years, you must develop a list of medical resources (doctors,
dentists, hospitals, air ambulance services, and telemedicine services)
available in your consular district, with more frequent updates as appropriate.
b. Consular responsibility for reporting on these
matters are performed in conjunction with post medical personnel, science
officers and Department of Agriculture officers.
c. Historically, consular reporting on health matters
date back to the early 20th century. For example:
1911 General Instruction to Consuls No. 11 - Reporting on
Prevalence of Anthrax
1911 General Instructions to Consuls No. 20 - Hookworm
Infection
1912 Special Instruction Consular No. 114 - Public Water
Supplies and Typhoid Fever
1913 General Instruction to Consuls No. 180 - Administration of
Maritime Quarantine
1913 General Instruction to Consuls No. 198 - Confidential
Reports on Suspected Quarantinable Diseases
1913 General Instructions to Consuls No. 212 - Health and
General Conditions at Consular Posts
1913 General Instructions to Consuls No. 233 - Health Reports
1914 General Instructions to Consuls No. 268 - Hospital Reports
1915 General Instructions to Consuls No. 378 - Druggists,
Pharmacists, Dentists, Surgeons and Physicians
1915 General Instructions to Consuls No. 379 - American
National Red Cross
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7 FAM 332 Sources Of Health Information
(CT:CON-780; 01-16-2018)
Sources that you may draw on for health information as you
prepare the draft Country Specific Information medical facilities and health
information text or other proposed consular information products such as
(Emergency) Messages for U.S. Citizens (see 7 FAM 000 Appendix A) or travel
advisory; include:
(1) The Regional Medical Officer (RMO) or other
medical professionals at post;
(2) Local news reports;
(3) Your hospital visit experiences;
(4) Host country health officials;
(5) Assessments by international organizations, such
as:
(a) World Health Organization and regional offices such
as the Pan American Health Organization; and
(b) Regional medical associations, such as the South
East Asian Nations and comparable organizations.
(6) The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC).
7 FAM 333 disseminating HEALTH
information THROUGH THE CONSULAR INFORMATION PROGRAM
(CT:CON-780; 01-16-2018)
a. Medical and health information, depending upon its
urgency and lifespan, may be presented through the Consular Information Program
(see 7 FAM 000 Appendix A) in one or more of the following products:
(1) (Emergency) Message for U.S. Citizens;
(2) Country Specific Information;
(3) Travel Alert;
(4) Travel Warning; and/or
(5) Fact Sheet.
b. Consular information program documents may address
situations involving disease, environmental hazards, and other health related
topics. These examples may be useful to you in developing draft language about
similar scenarios.
CA Internet Page Health Related Documents:
Avian Influenza A and Pandemic Influenza Fact Sheet
Options During a Pandemic
CA Web Intranet Health Related Consular
Information Program Historical Documents:
2011 - Japan Earthquake
2010 - Haiti Earthquake
2009 H1N1, Pandemic Influenza, and H5N1
October 2005 Avian Flu Fact Sheet
April 2005 - Avian Flu Fact Sheet
February 2005 - Avian Flu Fact Sheet
September 2004 - Avian Flu Fact Sheet
January 2004 - Avian Flu Fact Sheet
2003 SARS Fact Sheet
May 2003 SARS Public Announcement
April 24 2003 - SARS Public Announcement
April 11 2003 - SARS Public Announcement
March 2003 - SARS Public Announcement
March 2003 - SARS Fact Sheet
2002 Responding to Radiological and Nuclear
Incidents Fact Sheet
2002 Gabon, Congo Ebola Virus Outbreak Public
Announcement
2001 Chemical and Biological Agents Fact Sheet
2001 Foot and Mouth Disease Fact Sheet
1999 Anthrax Fact Sheet
1998 - Mexico, Central America Public Announcement
on Environmental Health Hazards
1998 - Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia Public
Announcement on Environmental Health Hazards
1995 - Japan Subway Sarin Gas Attack Public
Announcement
1986 Travel/Health Advisory Chernobyl Nuclear
Accident
1984 Travel Advisory Bhopal Gas Leak
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7 fam 334 COMMUNICABLE DISEASES
7 FAM 334.1 Background
(CT:CON-455; 04-26-2013)
Working with U.S. Department of State regional medical
officers (RMOs), you should continue to provide significant reporting on
emerging health issues. In recent years, this coordination has proven
essential, for example, in connection with the outbreaks of the 2009-H1N1,
SARS, Anthrax, Mad Cow, the Ebola virus, and Avian Influenza.
7 FAM 334.2 Liaison With The
Centers For Disease Control And Prevention (CDC)
(CT:CON-780; 01-16-2018)
a. CA/OCS/ACS works closely with M/MED and the CDC in
providing guidance to posts on outbreaks of communicable diseases in a number
of ways:
(1) The CA Home Page has links to CDC information on
specific topics;
(2) When appropriate, information about outbreaks is
included in Consular Information Program documents; and
(3) The Country Specific Information includes links to
the websites for the CDC and the World Health Organization (WHO). These
websites provide information on:
(a) general travelers health guidance;
(b) vaccination requirements and recommendations;
(c) known local outbreaks of disease and prophylactic
measures; and
(4) Consular Information Program materials link to
Travel Notices from the CDC.
b. 42 U.S.C. 264 (Section 361 of the Public Health
Service (PHS) Act) gives the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS)
responsibility for preventing the introduction, transmission, and spread of
communicable diseases from foreign countries into the United States and within
the United States and its territories/possessions. This statute is implemented
through regulations found at 42 CFR 70 and 42 CFR 71. Under its delegated
authority, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is empowered to
detain, medically examine, or conditionally release individuals reasonably
believed to be carrying a communicable disease. CDC may also examine, detain,
seize, or destroy animals or cargo reasonably believed to be contaminated with
a communicable disease.
c. See the CDC Internet page for legal authorities for
the control of communicable diseases. The CDC page also includes information
about the CDC Division of Global Migration and Quarantine (DGMQ) and CDC
quarantine stations. 7 FAM 363.2 provides guidance about medical evacuation of
U.S. nationals infected with U.S.-designated quarantinable communicable
disease.
Executive Order 13375 Quarantinable
Communicable Diseases
April 1, 2005 - Executive Order: Amendment to E.O.
13295 Relating to Certain Influenza Viruses and Quarantinable Communicable
Diseases; Federal Register Notice April 2005
NOTE: Executive Order 13295 of April 4, 2003 revoked
Executive Order 12452 of December 22, 1983. Executive Order 12452 revoked
Executive Order 9708 of March 26, 1946, Executive Order 10532 of May 28, 1954
and Executive Order 11070 of December 12, 1962.
See CDC HHS Legal Response to SARS
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d. Contacting the CDC: Although CDCs official
authority is limited to the diseases listed in Executive Order 13295 and 13375,
you may consult with them on any other communicable disease travel-health related
issues. The main contact point is:
Duty Officer at the CDC Emergency Operations
Center (EOC):
Telephone: 770-488-7100
FAX: 770-488-7107
E-mail: eocreport@cdc.gov
7 FAM 334.3 The Inter-Agency
Working Group (IWG)
(CT:CON-455; 04-26-2013)
a. During and after the 2003 SARS epidemic, the
Department established the Inter-Agency Working Group (IWG) to coordinate U.S.
Government preparedness and response to outbreaks of quarantinable infectious
diseases such as SARS and, potentially, H5N1 influenza.
b. In April 2004, the Government Accountability Office
(GAO) GAO-04-564 released a report entitled "Emerging Infectious Diseases:
Asian SARS Outbreak Challenged International and National Responses". The
GAO recommended that the Secretaries of Health and Human Services (HHS) and
State work with World Health Organization (WHO)
and other member states to strengthen WHOs global infectious disease network.
GAO is also recommending that the Secretary of HHS complete steps to ensure
that the agency can obtain passenger contact information in a timely manner,
including, if necessary, the promulgation of specific regulations; and that the
Secretary of State work with other relevant agencies to develop procedures for
arranging medical evacuations during an airborne infectious disease outbreak.
HHS, State, and WHO generally concurred with the reports content and its
recommendations.
c. The Office of International Health and Biodefense
(OES/IHB) supports U.S. foreign policy goals as they relate to global health
diplomacy in a variety of areas, including pandemic preparedness and response,
other emerging health issues, and the integration of a public health
perspective in other areas, particularly environmental policy. OES/IHB
staff members have both functional and regional responsibilities. The
office brings together other State Department offices; other U.S. Government
agencies; the United Nations and other international and regional
organizations; the private sector; nongovernmental organizations; and foreign
governments to promote preparedness and response strategies for global health
and security. IHB acts as Department of State liaison with the
Department of Health and Human Services and
represents State in U.S. Government internal coordination on response to
emerging health issues overseas and to global health crises. IHB also
serves as a liaison with posts on practical implications of emerging disease
outbreaks and on other health issues in countries where they occur, and
coordinates with Consular Affairs and MED on
health issues that may affect of American citizens and Embassy personnel.
d. OES/S/IHB chairs the IWG. Several State Department
Bureaus, are active participants. The group also includes the National
Security Council, the Homeland Security Council, DGMQ/CDC and other Federal agencies. Subgroups composed
of relevant agencies address key lessons learned from the pandemics such as:
(1) Medevac protocols;
(2) Access to passenger manifests;
(3) Contact tracing; and
(4) Privacy restrictions.
7 FAM 334.4 Consular
Responsibilities
7 FAM 334.4-1 General Actions
(CT:CON-455; 04-26-2013)
a. Be Aware of Communicable Diseases of issue in your
host country: Executive Order 13295 and 13375 list the official
U.S.-designated quarantinable communicable diseases.
(1) Your host government may require special handling
for quarantine of diseases not mentioned in or pursuant to Executive Order
13295, as amended April 1, 2005 by Executive Order 13375 and Section 361(b) of
the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 264(b)).
REVISED CDC LIST OF QUARANTINABLE COMMUNICABLE
DISEASES
(a) Cholera; Diphtheria; infectious Tuberculosis;
Plague; Smallpox; Yellow Fever; and Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers (Lassa, Marburg,
Ebola, Crimean-Congo, South American, and others not yet isolated or named).
(b) Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS),
which is a disease associated with fever and signs and symptoms of pneumonia
or other respiratory illness, is transmitted from person to person
predominantly by the aerosolized or droplet route, and, if spread in the
population, would have severe public health consequences.
(c) Influenza caused by novel or reemergent
influenza viruses that are causing, or have the potential to cause, a
pandemic."
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(2) If available, obtain your host countrys list of
quarantinable diseases. The CDC has information for some countries protocols
on the handling of such diseases.
b. Become familiar with local medical evacuation
resources and procedures, (see 7 FAM 360 and 7 FAM 1863.9).
c. Establish working relationships with local health
authorities, your regional medical officer and your posts health unit.
d. Ensure that post's website includes links to the CDC
Travelers Health web page.
7 FAM 334.4-2 Handling Specific
Cases
(CT:CON-455; 04-26-2013)
Upon learning of a U.S. citizen or national with a
suspected or confirmed communicable disease which is potentially subject to quarantine
in the host country or if they travel to the United States:
(1) E-mail your CA/OCS/ACS country officer. Be sure
to protect individually identifiable information;
(2) Copy the CA/OCS/ACS country officer who holds the
Regional Health Issues portfolio;
(3) Provide all the information you have on the U.S.
citizens illness, situation, needs, etc;
(4) Send daily e-mail reports on the U.S. citizens
situation to CA/OCS/ACS as indicated above; and
(5) Follow up with cables and entries into the ACS system
as needed.
(a) Include CASC, CMGT, SHLH, and AMED tags and caption
cable for attention of CA/OCS/ACS Health Issues Portfolio;
(b) Route to:
CA/OCS/ACS/(your region)
The geographical bureau desk officer for your country
OES/IHB
DASHO
CDC Atlanta
CDC/DGMQ may restrict the travel of an individual
(regardless of citizenship status) if (1) the individual is contagious or
likely to be contagious with a communicable disease that would constitute a
serious public health threat, (2) is unaware of or likely to be non-compliant
with public health recommendations not to travel, or (3) is likely to attempt
to travel by commercial aircraft or internationally. In such cases, CDC/DGMQ
may request that the Department of Homeland Security add the individual to a
public health "Do Not Board" (DNB) list which would prevent the
individual from boarding any commercial flight entering, leaving or flying
within the United States. Placement of a DNB will automatically be replicated
as a lookout in the US Customs and Border Protection TECS system, which will
prompt a public health referral if the individual attempts to enter the United
States through any port of entry, as well as in the Consular Lookout and
Support System (CLASS) if the individual is a foreign national. If an
individual on this list is identified by consular staff and intends to travel
to the United States, CDC/DGMQ should be notified through the CDC's EOC and a
visa not be issued until the individual has been medically cleared to travel
and the CLASS record has been removed at CDC's request. CDC/DGMQ should
additionally be notified regarding any U.S. citizens or legal permanent
residents who intend to travel to the United States while infectious with a
communicable disease that would constitute a public health threat.
7 FAM 335 CONSULAR ASSISTANCE TO
PERSONS WHO ARE HIV POSITIVE OR HAVE AIDS
(CT:CON-328; 05-11-2010)
Since the mid 1980s, the Department and posts have
received an increasing number of inquiries regarding assistance to citizens who
have been diagnosed as being HIV positive or living with AIDS.
(1) Consular officers and local health authorities
should provide a U.S. citizen who is HIV positive or is living with AIDS, like
a U.S. citizen with any other medical condition, with all available and appropriate
assistance.
(2) They, their partners, friends, and family members
should be treated with dignity and respect.
(3) Handle these cases with the utmost care,
attention, sensitivity, and discretion.
NOTE: The CDC Revised List
of Quarantinable Communicable Diseases, Executive Order 13375 does not
include HIV or AIDS. It is not appropriate to routinely report cases of U.S.
citizens who you learn are HIV positive or suffering from AIDS to local
authorities.
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7 FAM 336 PRIVACY AND COMMUNICABLE
DISEASES
(CT:CON-780; 01-16-2018)
a. The Privacy Act's "health or safety"
condition of disclosure (see 7 FAM 066) is
relevant to cases concerning virulent, infectious diseases. Circumstances
affecting the health or safety of an individual must be compelling and of
imminent urgency before health information about such an individual can be
released without that person's expressed written consent; i.e., having obtained
a Privacy Act Waiver (PAW) from this individual. The Department considers
infection with or exposure to serious quarantinable communicable diseases, as
defined and enumerated by the CDC, to meet this standard in many instances.
Therefore, information regarding the infection of a U.S. citizen / national with or exposure to such a disease
generally may be released:
(1) To a person (family members, doctors, hospital
officials, local health authorities, etc.) who can reasonably be expected to
care for or assist the U.S. citizen; and
(2) To protect third parties. Infectious
disease-related information may be given both to host country and U.S.
authorities charged with safeguarding the "health or safety" of the
public at large, and to airlines, cruise ship lines, etc. who have a
responsibility for the safe transit of their passengers.
b. You may release information about the U.S. citizens
illness as provided in 7 FAM 336
paragraph a (1) even if the U.S. citizen/national has recovered or is on
his/her way to recovery, or has merely been exposed to a serious communicable
disease, i.e., without yet displaying symptoms, provided such release is in the
safety and security interests of the individual or other travelers. Privacy
Act questions may be directed to CA/OCS/L (Ask-OCS-L@state.gov).
c. The Privacy Act requires us to notify individuals
in writing whenever we invoke the "health or safety" condition of
disclosure with respect to information about them that is otherwise safeguarded
by the Act. Therefore, you must advise the Department (CA/OCS/L)
(Ask-OCS-L@state.gov):
(1) Whenever you use this condition of disclosure; and
(2) Of any information regarding the individual's last
known address so that we may attempt to notify him or her. CA/OCS/ACS has a
standard letter that is sent upon notification from the CDC that individuals
have been potentially exposed.
d. Questions about the Privacy Act may be directed to
CA/OCS/ACS or to CA/OCS/L at Ask-OCS-L@state.gov, (see 7 FAM 060).
7 FAM 337 LISTS OF DOCTORS, HOSPITALS
AND AIR AMBULANCE SERVICES
7 FAM 337.1 Consular
Responsibilities
(CT:CON-120; 12-06-2005)
An important consular duty is the production and
maintenance of the list of doctors, dentists, and other medical professionals,
hospitals, and air ambulance services for distribution to U.S. citizens seeking
medical care in the host country. The list is particularly important in a
country where medical resources are limited.
(1) You must update this list at least every three
years. You may update it more often as appropriate.
(2) You must post copies on your posts Internet
website, where U.S. citizens in need may readily find the information at any
time, and provide a written copy to CA/OCS/ACS.
(3) You should keep track of new developments in
physician and hospital referral services including electronic directories and
telemedicine discussed in this section.
7 FAM 337.2 Developing Post Lists
Of Medical Service Providers
(CT:CON-328; 05-11-2010)
a. Post medical professionals are responsible for
certain aspects of emergency preparedness reporting regarding local medical
facilities. They may therefore have information that is helpful to the
preparation of consular materials, (see 12 FAH-1 Appendix 5 and 16 FAM 133.1).
When preparing or updating a posts list of doctors, dentists, hospitals, etc.,
you should first consult with:
(1) the embassy nurse;
(2) a nurse practitioner;
(3) the Regional Medical Officer (RMO);
(4) a panel physician; and
(5) other medical experts.
b. Contact local doctors, dentists, and other medical
professionals to ask if they want to be included on the list. For a suggested
outreach letter to physicians for gathering this data (see 7 FAM Exhibit
336.2-b).
c. Develop formatted questionnaires to ensure you
obtain all required information, (see 7 FAM Exhibit
336.2-c).
d. Try to include a wide variety of specialties such as
internal medicine, pediatrics, psychiatry, etc. and incorporate a list of
dentists, physical therapists, etc.
e. Whenever possible, visit the foreign medical or
psychiatric detention facilities to obtain some sense of their capabilities.
In particular, investigate whether there is a substantial difference in the
level of care available at public and private hospitals. Your list should
explain the differences; for example, "some public hospitals in developing
nations require patients to bring their own medical supplies, and sometimes
even pillows and bed sheets, surgical items and food."
f. Include air ambulance firms capable of providing
medical evacuations. Use a letter and questionnaire for air ambulance services
similar to those you use for medical facilities.
7 FAM 337.3 Verify Credentials
(CT:CON-328; 05-11-2010)
You must not include a name on the list unless the
professional or facility has supplied proof of licensure (and satisfaction of
any other licensing/permit requirements) in the host country. You should:
(1) Confirm that the individual, facility or service
is licensed under local law and in good standing, i.e., the license has not
been suspended or revoked; nor that there have been any successful malpractice
claims publicized;
(2) If the host country does not have a system of
licensure, contact CA/OCS/ACS for specific guidance;
(3) Each individual included in the list should affirm
in writing that they are currently in good professional standing and are not
facing any pending disciplinary proceedings. Posts should keep these letters
for the specific time period for which the list is valid (generally three
years) and seek re-affirmation from the professional each time the list is
updated; and
(4) Each medical facility included in the list should
affirm in writing that it is in good professional standing. Posts should keep
these letters for the specific time period for which the list is valid
(generally three years) and seek re-affirmation from the facility each time the
list is updated.
7 FAM 337.4 Formatting and
Publishing Your List Of Medical Resources
7 FAM 337.4-1 Identify Authorship
(CT:CON-328; 05-11-2010)
The list should clearly identify:
(1) Your post (address, fax, telephone and e-mail
contact information);
(2) The consular district covered (cities, islands,
counties, etc.); and
(3) The date it was prepared.
7 FAM 337.4-2 Disclaimer
(CT:CON-328; 05-11-2010)
Prominently display the following disclaimer on the first
page of the list:
DISCLAIMER: The U.S. Embassy (Consulate) in (City,
Country) assumes no responsibility or liability for the professional ability
or reputation of, or the quality of services provided by, the medical
professionals, medical facilities or air ambulance services whose names
appear on the following lists. Inclusion on this list is in no way an
endorsement by the Department of State or the U.S. Embassy/Consulate. Names
are listed alphabetically, and the order in which they appear has no other
significance. The information in the list on professional credentials and
areas of expertise are provided directly by the medical professional, medical
facility or air ambulance service; the Embassy/Consulate is not in a position
to vouch for such information. You may receive additional information about
the individuals and facilities on the list by contacting local medical boards
and associations (or its equivalent) or local licensing authorities.
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7 FAM 337.4-3 Other Related
Information
(CT:CON-780; 01-16-2018)
a. List contact information for licensing, regulatory,
or other appropriate authorities in the host country.
b. Include in the introduction of the list of doctors,
dentists, air ambulance services, and other medical resources the text of the
medical/health paragraph of your current Country Specific Information (see 7
FAM 000 Appendix A).
c. Always try to provide the full list of physicians
and medical professionals in writing or by e-mail, with the disclaimer noted
above and the contact information for medical associations, boards and licensing
authorities. When providing information orally, in exceptional urgent
circumstances, follow-up by providing the written list to the individual by
e-mail or fax, or by referring him/her to the list on posts website.
d. Under no circumstances should you provide a
recommendation or make a referral or express a preference for a physician or
other medical professional. You may, however, suggest that an individual
contact a specific physician or other medical professional directly for patient
references if the medical professional is in a position to provide this
information.
e. You should also provide hyperlinks to:
(1) Posts Internet home page;
(2) The CDC home page; and
(3) The CA Internet home page.
f. As appropriate, list information on the
availability of ambulance services, emergency 911 telephone numbers, etc. in
the host country.
7 FAM 337.4-4 Format
(CT:CON-763; 12-13-2017)
a. List names alphabetically.
b. If the list is lengthy, or your consular district
large, display the information by city or other regional division.
c. Include all the information you obtained through
your outreach efforts.
d. List phone numbers to be called from within the host
country and from the United States, including country codes, city codes and the
international access codes.
FORMAT FOR MEDICAL SERVICE PROVIDERS
NAME
ADDRESS
TELEPHONE NUMBER
FAX NUMBER
E-MAIL ADDRESS
EDUCATION
YEARS MEDICAL DEGREES RECEIVED
LICENSURE
MEDICAL AREAS OF SPECIALIZATION
LANGUAGES
OFFICE HOURS
AFTER HOURS AVAILABILITY
EXPERIENCE TREATING ENGLISH SPEAKING or U.S.
PATIENTS
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7 FAM 337.5 Reporting Requirement
(CT:CON-455; 04-26-2013)
There is currently a triennial reporting requirement for
posts to prepare the list of medical resources. At least once every three
years, send via record email, using CASC TAGS, country TAGS to CA/OCS/ACS and
CA/P providing the hyperlink address for your post's website.
7 FAM 337.6 Complaints
(CT:CON-838; 08-27-2018)
a. On occasion, you may receive complaints from
patients or family members regarding the quality of care, service, cost, or
denial of service on the part of a person or facility on your list. You
should:
(1) Get as much specific information as possible from
the complainant;
(2) If possible, ask them to submit the complaint to
you in writing;
(3) Encourage the complainant to report their
complaint directly to the licensing board as well;
(4) Consider directing complainants to the local
medical association, Ministry of Health, or other licensing or oversight
agency; and
(5) Advise CA/OCS about any complaints.
(a) Provide your opinion regarding removal of the name
from your list.
(b) CA/OCS/ACS will work with CA/OCS/L, L and M/MED to
address these concerns and provide guidance.
b. If the U.S. Department of State Regional Medical
Officer (RMO) or other U.S. official has advised Post personnel and dependents
or other official U.S. citizens (including U.S. military) to avoid use of a
professional or facility:
(1) Remove the professional or facility from the list;
(2) Notify the Department (CA/OCS/ACS) immediately by
e-mail to the relevant country officer;
(3) Update both your printed and website lists
immediately; and
(4) Share this information with the general U.S.
community via the Consular Information Program tools; i.e., via American Liaison Network messages and the American Liaison Network as appropriate.
c. There is no valid reason for including or
maintaining on the list the name of any medical professional who has been
suspended by a local licensing authority or medical association/board. There
is no valid reason for including or maintaining on the list the name of any
medical facility that has been suspended by a local licensing authority. If
a physician or facility has been disciplined but not suspended, or is facing
pending disciplinary proceedings, post should consider all information
provided, including the severity of the allegations, to determine if the professional/facilitys
name should be retained on the list. You should seek advice from CA/OCS/L on
these types of situations, which will consult with L/CA and M/MED.
d. If a post contemplates removing a physician or other
health care provider or facility from the list, notify your country officer in
CA/OCS/ACS, who will confer with CA/OCS/L as appropriate.
e. If there are no changes on a list of physicians,
other medical professionals, and facilities from one reporting period to
another, prepare a new cover sheet, using the current year, so that recipients
will not assume that the list is out of date. Keep in mind all the individuals
and facilities on this list must be reaffirmed as being in good standing as
discussed above, before the list can be reissued under the new cover sheet.
NOTE: Medical information and resources are viewed by the
Department as being an integral part of our NO DOUBLE STANDARD policy.
Negative information that potentially affects the health and welfare of U.S.
citizens or nationals MUST be disseminated freely within the private
community. (See 7
FAM 052.) The first question should always be is there an actual
threat. For example, widely-publicized media reports of recalls of food,
drug, or other products in the United States that may not be available
abroad, generally do not require an (Emergency) Message for U.S. Citizens.
In such circumstances, providing a link on a post's web page to CDC or FDA
information may be another valid approach.
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7 FAM 338 ELECTRONIC PHYSICIAN AND
HOSPITAL DIRECTORIES
(CT:CON-763; 12-13-2017)
a. Electronic medical directories published by
professional organizations are common in the United States, and a number of
foreign countries now have similar services available, including:
(1) Physician referral services;
(2) Medical directories; and
(3) Hospital referral services;
EXAMPLES OF ONLINE MEDICAL DIRECTORIES AND/OR
PHYSICIAN REFERRAL SERVICES
United States
AMA Physician Select
National Institutes of Health MEDLINE Directories
Other Countries
NHS in England
College of Physicians and Surgeons Ontario,
Canada CPSOONCA Doctor Search
U.S.A.I.D. Office of American Schools and Hospitals
Abroad (ASHA)
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b. Create electronic hyperlinks to local medical
association doctor referral services or hospital locator services on your post
home page. You must include the disclaimer at 7 FAM 337.4-2 with any electronic hyperlinks on your home
page.
See for example:
U.S. Embassy Tokyo Medical Resources in Japan
U.S. Embassy Guatemala City Medical Information and
Assistance
U.S. Embassy Seoul Health Information
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7 FAM 339 TELEMEDICINE
(CT:CON-120; 12-06-2005)
a. Telemedicine electronically transports primary and
specialty medical care into even the most remote areas. Persons who live hours
from advanced medical care, or even from basic medical services, can directly
access high-quality medical expertise without leaving their community.
Telemedicine also allows doctors at hospitals abroad to consult with doctors at
hospitals in the United States via live video and audio communications.
Telemedicine coverage can include:
(1) Analysis of the patients MRI, X-ray, CT scan, and
other radiology studies;
(2) Analysis of pathology slides;
(3) Treatment plans recommended by top sub-specialists
in the field;
(4) Conference call, if needed, between the attending
doctor and U.S. specialist; and
(5) Bringing a physician located hundreds of miles
away into the actual examination or operating room via a live interactive
system.
NOTE: Telemedicine doctors in the United States do
NOT communicate directly with patients who live overseas. The communication
is doctor to doctor.
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b. A number of U.S.-based facilities offer this
assistance to patients abroad, such as a consortium of Boston hospitals.
c. If you find that the host country has similar
arrangements with a hospital in the United States or a third country, you can
include this information in your lists of medical resources in the home
country.
SAMPLE INTERNATIONAL TELEMEDICINE SITES
American Telemedicine Association
Telemedicine Research Center and Information Exchange
National Rural Health Resource Center
Telehealth Ontario
The University of Queensland Centre for Online Health
International Society for Telemedicine
Yale Office of Telemedicine
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7 FAM Exhibit 336.2-b
Sample Letter to Medical Service Providers
(CT:CON-455; 04-26-2013)
Post Letterhead
Dear Dr. XXX:
The U.S. (Embassy-Consulate General -Consulate) maintains
a list of doctors, dentists, and medical facilities that are available to treat
U.S. citizens traveling in (name of country) or those resident here.
In preparing this list, we try to provide U.S. citizens
with some basic information about the professional background of the physician,
dentist, or other medical professional and medical facilities.
If you would like to be included on this list, kindly
complete and return the enclosed questionnaire. An extra questionnaire is
included as you may wish to retain a copy for your files.
The list will be published on the U.S. Embassys website.
Our regulations prohibit us from recommending any particular doctor, dentist,
or facility. We simply make this information available to interested U.S.
citizens without recommendation.
Please understand that return of the questionnaire merely
indicates your interest in being included on the list. We cannot guarantee
that you will be included. Inclusion of a physicians name on the list is
exclusively within the Embassys discretion, and the Embassy may remove a
person from the list at any time, and may decline to provide a reason.
Generally, the lists are revised triennially with interim
addendums as needed, to ensure that local physicians are still practicing in
good standing within the consular district and are willing to treat patients
from the United States. Thank you for your time and interest.
Sincerely yours,
Signature of Consular Officer
Typed Name of Consular Officer
Title of Consular Officer
Enclosure: Questionnaire
7 FAM EXHIBIT 336.2-c
Sample Questionnaire for Medical Service Providers
(CT:CON-455; 04-26-2013)
U.S. Embassy
(City, Country)
Please complete the information requested
in the SPACE provided. if you need additional space, please attach additional
document/pages.
Name:
Address:
Telephone:
Website:
Fax:
E-mail Address:
Medical Specialty:
Education (including years of graduation):
Medical License (Specify Authority That Issued License and
Attach Copy):
Professional Association Membership; Board Membership:
Languages Spoken:
English Language Spoken (Extensive, Limited, None):
Office Hours:
After Hours Availability:
I affirm that I am currently in good professional standing
and am not facing any pending disciplinary proceedings.
_________________
Signature
Date