Section 17-4712. ACUPUNCTURE PRACTICE

 

4712.1An acupuncturist who is not a physician licensed by the District shall practice only in general collaboration with a physician, pursuant to an agreement registered in accordance with § 4715.

 

4712.2An acupuncturist who is a physician licensed by the District shall be exempt from the requirements of §§ 4712.3, 4712.4 and §§ 4712.7 through 4712.10.

 

4712.3Prior to initiating treating of a patient, an acupuncturist shall have written authorization from the collaborating physician to commence treatment.

 

4712.4An acupuncturist shall comply with any restrictions or conditions placed on the acupuncture treatment by the collaborating physician.

 

4712.5An acupuncturist shall be solely responsible for acupuncture evaluation and treatment of the patient.

 

4712.6An acupuncturist shall use aseptic practices that comply with accepted standards of sterilization in the field of acupuncture.

 

4712.7An acupuncturist shall advise a patient to consult with the collaborating physician if the patient's condition worsens, changes unexpectedly, or fails to improve after the prescribed course of treatment or if the patient develops a new ailment or condition.

 

4712.8An acupuncturist shall immediately notify the collaborating physician, by communication devise followed by written memorandum, of any worsening in a patient's condition or ailment, new ailment, or unexpected change in a patient's condition.

 

4712.9An acupuncturist shall provide written notice to a collaborating physician of the acupuncturist's intent to terminate the collaboration prior to terminating a collaboration.

 

4712.10If a collaboration is terminated, an acupuncturist shall immediately cease performing acupuncture on all patients for whom the collaborating physician had agreed to provide care and consultation and assist a patient whose treatment is disrupted to find appropriate substitute care.

 

source

Final Rulemaking published at 36 DCR 7159, 7164 (October 13, 1989).