Section 246-803-310 - Referral to primary health care provider(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.Wash. Admin. Code § 246-803-310
Amended by WSR 21-09-008, Filed 4/8/2021, effective 5/9/2021Statutory Authority: Chapter 18.06 RCW and 2010 c 286. 11-17-105, § 246-803-310, filed 8/22/11, effective 9/22/11.