Toronto doctor was out of line with out-of-hospital cosmetic procedures

A Toronto doctor who performed unauthorized cosmetic procedures for sagging skin encountered an unexpected wrinkle when the discipline committee for the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario suspended his license and slapped him with hearing costs of $6,000. Dr. Shawn Chi Wai Seit, a family physician who practised in a cosmetic clinic in Toronto’s Yorkville neighbourhood, has had his certificate of registration suspended for two months effective July 20. He was also ordered to take courses in professionalism and medical ethics at his own expense within six months of the discipline committee’s order, which was handed down on July 19. “The healthcare system is changing from one where all but the simplest procedures are done in hospitals to a devolved system where more care is provided in smaller clinics and private facilities,” the discipline committee wrote in its decision. “It is in the public interest, and that of physicians, that there be no question that wherever that care is provided, the requisite standards are established, monitored and maintained. It is the responsibility of the physician to be aware of and to follow all regulations as required.” Between March and October 2018, Dr. Seit performed approximately 45 cosmetic procedures using FaceTite—radio-frequency assisted liposuction technology that targets sagging skin and wrinkles. FaceTite procedures can be performed only in a hospital or in sites approved as out-of-hospital premises. Read: CPSO defends premises inspection program On Oct. 18, 2018, a representative from the college’s out-of-hospital premises inspection program conducted an unannounced inspection of Dr. Seit’s clinic and found it lacked the necessary equipment and policy and procedural manuals, and that it failed to meet requirements for general physical and medication standards, as well as for infection prevention and control. The college subsequently obtained an opinion from a medical director and chief surgeon of a facial surgery and cosmetic centre in Ottawa, who submitted that the FaceTite procedures Dr. Seit performed are surgical in nature and must be performed in an authorized out-of-hospital premise. While the discipline committee found that Dr. Seit never intended to mislead the college, it ruled that he should have clarified the regulatory status of the FaceTite procedure, especially in light of the fact that a trainer from FaceTite’s manufacturer, InMode Aesthetic Technologies, advised him to check if FaceTite could be used without out-of-hospital premises approval. “We find Dr. Seit was reckless when failing to check with the College as to the status of the FaceTite procedure despite being advised to do so,” the discipline committee wrote. "We find this behaviour is conduct that members of the profession would find disgraceful, dishonourable or unprofessional.” Read: Plastic surgeon, 'Dr. 6ix', has practice suspended for six months over online posts

Toronto doctor was out of line with out-of-hospital cosmetic procedures

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