Oklahoma Administrative Code
Title 435 - State Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision
Chapter 50 - Licensed Pedorthists
Subchapter 7 - Regulation of Practice
Section 435:50-7-2 - Standards of ethics and professional conduct

(A) Services. The pedorthist shall provide the initial evaluation and recommendation for pedorthic devices in an effective, dignified and efficient manner in accordance with the direction of patient's physician.

(B) Recognition of foot problems. The pedorthist shall assist lay people to recognize foot health problems and the need for appropriate medical care only out of a desire to protect one who would not otherwise seek or obtain proper medical attention. Such assistance should recommend that the patient have a physician diagnose any foot pathology.

(C) Confidential information.

(D) Competency.

(E) Research. The pedorthist shall ensure that all research projects or studies are done in accordance with standards of the American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics & Pedorthics (ABC) or the Board for Orthotist/Prosthetist Certification (BOC).

(F) Trust and honesty. The pedorthist shall always be truthful and honest in pedorthic matters to the patient, physician, Board and the public in general.

(G) Fees and compensation.

(H) Practice arrangements.

(I) Delay in services. The pedorthist shall not accept any prescription when the pedorthist knows or believes the pedorthic device cannot be furnished with in a reasonable period of time unless the pedorthist has advised the patient in advance the approximate length of time it will take to fill the prescription. In such instances, the pedorthist must discuss the situation with the patient and prescribing health care practitioner.

(J) Compliance with laws and regulations. The pedorthist shall provide consultation, evaluation, treatment, business practices, and preventive care, in accordance with the laws and regulations of the State of Oklahoma.

(K) Consumer protection. The pedorthist shall report to the Board any conduct that appears to be unethical, incompetent or illegal. Failure to report any such behavior that is known to the pedorthist shall be unethical.

(L) Maintenance of patient records. The pedorthist shall initiate and maintain appropriate records about his/her service with each patient. The pedorthist has the duty to maintain patient files in a safe manner and ensure the confidentiality of the patient's records.

(M) Delegation of responsibility. The pedorthist shall exercise adequate supervision over persons to whom the pedorthist has delegated certain responsibilities requiring unique skills, knowledge or judgment. The pedorthist is responsible for pedorthic care performed by support personnel under his/her supervision. The pedorthist is responsible for assuring that adequate supervision of support personnel occurs to ensure the patient receives the necessary and appropriate care.

(N) Illegal discrimination. The pedorthist shall not decline to accept a patient on the basis of race, gender, color, religion or national origin or on any basis that would constitute illegal discrimination.

(O) Discontinuing service.

(A) Diagnosis and prescription. The pedorthist must receive a prescription from a physician before providing any pedorthic device to a patient.

(B) Pedorthic evaluation and recommendation.

(C) Changes in patient's condition.

(D) Altering pedorthic devices. The pedorthist may repair or adjust a pedorthic device without notifying the prescribing physician. However, such repairs or adjustments must conform to the original prescription. Any repairs, adjustments, modifications and/or replacements that alter the original prescription must be authorized by the physician.

(A) Dignity and stature.

(B) Commercialization. The pedorthist primary professional function is to develop the pedorthic device as part of a medical treatment team. However, the pedorthist is not prohibited from providing other commercial services, such as furnishing non-therapeutic footwear, non-therapeutic custom-comfort or prefabricated foot care products, as long as each patient and the public in general are made aware of the differences between the pedorthist's professional and commercial services.

(C) Solicitation.

(D) Board review. The Advisory Committee on Pedorthics will determine whether the pedorthist is practicing in accordance with the laws and rules of the Board. In the event that the Committee determines that there are violations of these laws or rules, the Committee will refer the matter to the Board who shall handle the matter as a complaint and proceed in accordance with the Oklahoma Administrative Procedures Act.

(E) Education.

(F) Standards of practice. The pedorthist should adhere to a standard of practice as outlined in the Act and rules and as guided by the American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics & Pedorthics (ABC) and the Board for Orthotist/Prosthetist Certification (BOC). The pedorthist can engage in practice beyond the standards of practice if the pedorthist is directly supervised by a practitioner certified to perform those services or if the pedorthist holds credentials in that profession.

(A) The pedorthist should conduct himself/herself in a professional manner.

(B) Concerns regarding patient care provided by physicians or other medical professionals should be addressed directly to the professional rather than to the patient. In the event that such concerns rise to the level of criminal violation, incompetency, malpractice or a violation of the Oklahoma law or the rules of the Board, then the pedorthist must immediately notify the Board or other appropriate regulatory agency.

(C) It is unethical for a pedorthist to indulge in action or statements that can be construed by the patient or another as critical of the patient's case.