Washington Administrative Code
Title 246 - Health, Department of
PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS AND LICENSING
Chapter 246-803 - Acupuncture and eastern medicine practitioner
PRACTICE STANDARDS
Section 246-803-310 - Referral to primary health care provider

Universal Citation: WA Admin Code 246-803-310

Current through Register Vol. 24-18, September 15, 2024

(1) When an acupuncturist or acupuncture and Eastern medicine practitioner sees a patient with a potentially serious disorder, the acupuncturist or acupuncture and Eastern medicine practitioner shall immediately request a consultation or written diagnosis from a primary health care provider.

(2) Potentially serious disorders include, but are not limited to:

(a) Cardiac conditions including uncontrolled hypertension;

(b) Acute abdominal symptoms;

(c) Acute undiagnosed neurological changes;

(d) Unexplained weight loss or gain in excess of fifteen percent body weight within a three-month period;

(e) Suspected fracture or dislocation;

(f) Suspected systemic infection;

(g) Any serious undiagnosed hemorrhagic disorder; and

(h) Acute respiratory distress without previous history or diagnosis.

(3) In the event a patient with a potentially serious disorder refuses to authorize such consultation or provide a recent diagnosis from a primary health care provider, acupuncture or Eastern medicine treatments, may only continue after the patient signs a written waiver acknowledging the risks associated with the failure to pursue treatment from a primary health care provider.

(4) The written waiver must include:

(a) A statement acknowledging that failure by the patient to pursue treatment from a primary health care provider may involve risks that such a condition can worsen without further warning and even become life threatening;

(b) An explanation of an acupuncturist's or acupuncture and Eastern medicine practitioner's scope of practice, to include the services and techniques acupuncturists or acupuncture and Eastern medicine practitioners are authorized to provide; and

(c) A statement that the services and techniques that an acupuncturist or acupuncture and Eastern medicine practitioner is authorized to provide will not resolve the patient's underlying potentially serious disorder.

Statutory Authority: Chapter 18.06 RCW and 2010 c 286. 11-17-105, § 246-803-310, filed 8/22/11, effective 9/22/11.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Washington may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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