BULLETIN: October 2007 UPDATE
Acupuncture (A.K.A. ‘dry-needling’) is NOT within scope of chiropractic practice:
Recently, several chiropractors have been investigated regarding complaints of practicing acupuncture outside of their scope of practice. Licensees are reminded that acupuncture is separately licensed as a profession by the MD Board of Acupuncture and that it is NOT within the scope of chiropractic. This includes the technique called ‘dry-needling.’ This is not a new interpretation. A licensee may only use needles to conduct such tests as nerve NCV or surface EMG tests. No therapeutic treatment may be done using needles or other devices that pierce the skin. Violators are subject to a $5,000 fine and 3 years imprisonment for practicing acupuncture without a license.
New Board Member:
Governor Martin O’Malley recently appointed Dr. Stephanie Chaney to the Board as the replacement for outgoing Dr. E. Brian Ashton. Dr. Chaney is a NYCC graduate and maintains a practice with her husband in Annapolis. Her tenure will be July 1, 2007 through July 1, 2011. Good luck to Dr. Chaney.
Revised Regulations should be approved by late Fall:
The revised regulations (the culmination of a 2-year project) have cleared public comment and are currently under review by the Legislative AELR Committee. Anticipating approval, the Board anticipates that they will be promulgated and adopted sometime in late Fall, early Winter. The Board plans a traveling ‘regulatory road show’ to explain the nuances of the new regulations. The sessions will be pre-announced. Licensees will receive 3-4 risk management and jurisprudence CEU credits for satisfactory attendance. There will be no fee for the sessions.
Board move and new database:
This Winter, the Board will be transitioning to a new, improved database. This new system will eventually allow for online, real-time verifications as well as online renewals. This Winter, the Board will also be moving from its current 2nd floor location to the 3rd floor of the building. This will require us to disrupt services for a short time until all new systems are installed, furnishings moved and filing systems up and running. The staff will do all that is feasible to keep any down-time to a minimum.
Record-keeping reminder:
Remember, to comply with the State and HIPAA record-keeping requirements, all patient records must be privately and securely retained for 6 years. For minors, the requirement is 6 years following attainment of the age of 18. Records include paper files, x-ray films, computer database records and records prepared/maintained by a 3rd party contractor.