Washington Administrative Code
Title 246 - Health, Department of
PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS AND LICENSING
Chapter 246-922 - Podiatric physicians and surgeons
Section 246-922-001 - Scope of practice

(1) An "ailment of the human foot" as set forth in RCW 18.22.-035 is defined as any condition, symptom, disease, complaint, or disability involving the functional foot. The functional foot includes the anatomical foot and any muscle, tendon, ligament, or other soft tissue structure directly attached to the anatomical foot and which impacts upon or affects the foot or foot function and osseous structure up to and including the articulating surfaces of the ankle joint.

(2) In diagnosing or treating the ailments of the functional foot, a podiatric physician and surgeon is entitled to utilize medical, surgical, mechanical, manipulative, radiological, and electrical treatment methods and the diagnostic procedure or treatment method may be utilized upon an anatomical location other than the functional foot. The diagnosis and treatment of the foot includes diagnosis and treatment necessary for preventive care of the well foot.

(3) A podiatric physician and surgeon may examine, diagnose, and commence treatment of ailments for which differential diagnoses include an ailment of the human foot. Upon determination that the condition presented is not an ailment of the human foot, the podiatric physician and surgeon shall obtain an appropriate consultation or make an appropriate referral to a licensed health care practitioner authorized by law to treat systemic conditions. The podiatric physician and surgeon may take emergency actions as are reasonably necessary to protect the patient's health until the intervention of a licensed health care practitioner authorized by law to treat systemic conditions.

(4) A podiatric physician and surgeon may diagnose or treat an ailment of the human foot caused by a systemic condition provided an appropriate consultation or referral for the systemic condition is made to a licensed health care practitioner authorized by law to treat systemic conditions.

(5) A podiatric physician and surgeon shall not administer a general or spinal anesthetic, however, a podiatric physician and surgeon may treat ailments of the human foot when the treatment requires use of a general or spinal anesthetic provided that the administration of the general or spinal anesthetic is by a physician authorized under chapter 18.71 or 18.57 RCW; or a certified registered nurse anesthetist authorized under chapter 18.79 RCW.