A Wisconsin chiropractor recently presented a question on how a patient’s X-rays can be obtained. Although the question, at first, appears fundamental in nature, the analysis of the matter can become relatively complicated after consideration of the State’s evolving approach to delegated services and the interplay of multi-disciplinary practices. On a basic level, most D.C.’s understand that they are allowed to rely on imaging in order to evaluate a patient before a spinal adjustment or manipulation for purposes of determining any contraindications or complicating factors associated with the chiropractic treatment. However, the manner by which the imaging is performed can become more challenging to the chiropractor in light of both statutory and administrative rules. Upon careful evaluation of both, there are basically four (4) means by which the patient’s X-rays can be performed:
Read more →After extensive work by the Wisconsin Examining Board, a new Chapter 10 of the Administrative Code became effective on August 1, 2018. This chapter of the Code broadly addresses the chiropractor’s delegation of certain patient services to Chiropractic Technicians (“CT’s”) and Chiropractic Radiological Technicians (“CRT’s”). As with any Administrative Code provisions, there are legal implications within the Code which influence the doctor’s standard of practice. There are at least five important aspects of the new Code provisions which a doctor should be particularly aware of in their practice:
Read more →During recent meetings, the Chiropractic Examining Board has been evaluating more significant changes to the Administrative Law Code controlling chiropractic in this state. This is part of an ongoing effort by various regulatory boards to comply with the Governor’s request that existing administrative laws be reviewed and updated. The Board has already made relativity uncontroversial updates to Chapters 1, 3, and 11, but is beginning to evaluate more pronounced changes to chapters 4 (“Practice”), 10 (Delegation), and eventually 5 (Continuing Education) and 12 (Nutritional Counseling). The Board’s actions with these chapters of the Code will have a more significant impact upon the chiropractor’s standard of practice and should be carefully monitored by all interested doctors. With regard to Chapter 4, the Board considered changes which dramatically simplify the text, but leave open for future interpretation those techniques, procedures, and instruments which can be used in the course of a doctor’s practice. Initially, the Board approved a scope statement to insert into the code the definitions of “chiropractic science” and “practice of chiropractic” based upon existing language from the statutes (Chapter 446). Significantly, this statutory language replaces administrative code language from 1985 and excludes reference to “spinal subluxations”, “nerve energy expression”,
Read more →A major item for discussion at the Examining Board’s next meeting relates to the issue of delegation. Since the creation of the role of the “CT” and “CRT”, there has been some confusion as to the extent of matters which can be delegated and the roles of both staff and the doctor in providing adjunctive services to the patient.
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