Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 12, March 23, 2024
(a)
Responsibilities to patient and
public-acupuncturist who is not a physician. An acupuncturist who is
not a physician:
(1) Shall perform an
acupuncture evaluation and develop an acupuncture treatment plan.
(1.1) May treat an individual presenting with
no symptoms of a condition for an unlimited period of time.
(2) May treat an individual presenting with
symptoms of a condition for 60 calendar days from the date of the first
treatment without the condition being diagnosed by a physician, dentist or
podiatrist.
(3) May treat an
individual presenting with symptoms of a condition beyond 60 calendar days from
the date of first treatment if the patient has obtained an examination and
diagnosis from a physician, dentist or podiatrist.
(4) Shall promptly refer the patient
presenting with symptoms of a condition to a physician, dentist or podiatrist,
as appropriate to the patient-s condition, if the acupuncturist determines that
further acupuncture treatment is contraindicated for the patient or determines
that the patient-s symptoms have worsened.
(5) Shall consult with the patient-s
physician, dentist, podiatrist or other health care practitioner upon request
of the patient.
(6) Shall cooperate
with the patient-s physician, dentist or podiatrist in regard to the
coordination of the patient-s care, and comply with restrictions or conditions
as directed by the physician, dentist or podiatrist.
(7) May not diagnose a physical or mental
ailment or condition or prescribe or dispense a drug. This provision does not
prohibit the use of diagnostic billing codes for billing or reimbursement
purposes.
(8) Shall comply strictly
with sterilization standards relative to aseptic practices.
(9) Shall maintain patient records in a
manner consistent with §
16.95 (relating to medical
records).
(10) Shall wear a tag or
badge with lettering clearly visible to the patient bearing the acupuncturist-s
name and the title --Acupuncturist.-- The use of the words doctor, physician or
any title or abbreviation implying licensure as a physician on this tag or
badge is prohibited.
(b.1)
Additional responsibilities to patient and public- practitioner of
Oriental medicine who is not a physician. In addition to the
responsibilities in subsection (a)(1)-(9), a licensed practitioner of Oriental
medicine who provides, or contemplates providing, herbal therapy:
(1) Shall perform an herbal therapy
evaluation and, if appropriate, develop an appropriate treatment plan
utilizing, in whole or in part, East Asian herbology modalities.
(2) Shall promptly refer a patient presenting
with symptoms of a condition to a physician, dentist or podiatrist, as
appropriate to the patient-s condition, if the practitioner of Oriental
medicine determines that further treatment of the patient by East Asian
herbology modalities is contraindicated for the patient, may interfere with
known drugs prescribed to the patient, or determines that the patient-s
symptoms have worsened.
(3) Shall
wear a tag or badge with lettering clearly visible to the patient bearing the
licensee-s name, as well as the title --Practitioner of Oriental Medicine.--
The use of the words doctor, physician or any title or abbreviation implying
licensure as a physician on this tag or badge is prohibited.
(c)
Responsibilities to
patient and public-acupuncturist who is currently licensed as a medical
doctor. An acupuncturist who also holds a current and active license
as a medical doctor in this Commonwealth:
(1)
Shall include in the patient-s medical records evidence of having performed an
acupuncture evaluation and development of an acupuncture treatment plan for
patients considered for, or who receive, acupuncture.
(2) Shall comply strictly with sterilization
standards relative to aseptic practices when providing acupuncture to
patients.
This section cited in 49 Pa. Code §
5.81 (relating to unprofessional
and immoral conduct).