Section 844 IAC 13-5-1 - Duties of acupuncturistAuthority: IC 25-22.5-2-7
Affected: IC 25-1-9; IC 25-22.5-1
Sec. 1.
(a) An acupuncturist in the conduct of his or her practice of acupuncture shall abide by, and comply with, the standards of professional conduct in this rule.(b) An acupuncturist shall maintain the confidentiality of all knowledge and information regarding a patient, including, but not limited to, the patient's diagnosis, treatment and prognosis, and all records relating thereto, about which the acupuncturist may learn or otherwise be informed during the course of, or as a result of, the patient-acupuncturist relationship. Information about a patient shall be disclosed by an acupuncturist when required by law or when authorized by the patient or those responsible for the patient's care.(c) An acupuncturist shall give a truthful, candid, and reasonably complete account of the patient's condition to the patient or to those responsible for the patient's care, except where an acupuncturist reasonably determines that the information is or would be detrimental to the physical or mental health of the patient or, in the case of a minor or incompetent person, except where an acupuncturist reasonably determines that the information would be detrimental to the physical or mental health of those responsible for the patient's care.(d) The acupuncturist shall give reasonable written notice to an active patient or those responsible for the patient's care when the acupuncturist withdraws from a case so that another acupuncturist may be employed by the patient or by those responsible for the patient's care. An acupuncturist shall not abandon a patient. As used in this section, "active patient" means a person whom the acupuncturist has examined, cared for, or otherwise consulted with, during the two (2) year period prior to retirement, discontinuation of practice of acupuncture, or leaving or moving from the community.(e) An acupuncturist who withdraws from a case, except in emergency circumstances, shall, upon written request, make available to his or her patient all records, test results, histories, diagnoses, files, and information relating to the patient that are in the acupuncturist's custody, possession, or control, or copies of such documents herein before described.(f) An acupuncturist shall exercise reasonable care and diligence in the diagnosis and treatment of patients based upon approved scientific principles, methods, treatments, professional theory, and practice.(g) An acupuncturist shall not represent, advertise, state, or indicate the possession of any degree recognized as the basis for licensure to practice acupuncture unless the acupuncturist is actually licensed on the basis of such degree in the state or states in which he or she practices.(h) An acupuncturist shall obtain consultation whenever requested to do so by a patient or by those responsible for a patient's care.(i) An acupuncturist who has personal knowledge based upon a reasonable belief that another acupuncturist has engaged in illegal, unlawful, incompetent, or fraudulent conduct in the practice of acupuncture shall promptly report such conduct to the board. Further, an acupuncturist who has personal knowledge of any person engaged in, or attempting to engage in, the unauthorized practice of acupuncture shall promptly report such conduct to the board.Medical Licensing Board of Indiana; 844 IAC 13-5-1; filed Oct 9, 2001, 2:52 p.m.: 25 IR 808; readopted filed Oct 4, 2007, 3:34 p.m.: 20071031-IR-844070055RFA; readopted filed November 25, 2013, 9:24 a.m.: 20131225-IR-844130307RFAReadopted filed 11/12/2019, 9:11 a.m.: 20191211-IR-844190074RFAReadopted filed 2/27/2024, 10:19 a.m.: 20240327-IR-844230772RFA