<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".04" citation="COMAR 10.26.03.04" title_num="10" subtitle_num="26" chapter_num="03" heading="Relationship with Patient.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>A licensee shall:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Use professional judgement in the use of evaluation and treatment procedures;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Decline to administer treatment if the licensee believes that the treatment is contraindicated or unjustified;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Terminate a professional relationship with patient in an appropriate manner, such as:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Providing the patient with sufficient notice to permit the patient to obtain the services of another professional,</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Assisting the patient by providing referrals if appropriate, or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Continuing to provide emergency treatment to the patient if treatment is required before a reasonable time has passed to allow the patient to obtain the services of another health care provider;</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Maintain a written record of treatment of the patient under the licensee's care for at least 5 years after the termination of treatment;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>Make the records available to the patient on request, in compliance with applicable laws for disclosure of medical records;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>Make arrangements for another professional to provide for the needs of the patient during an anticipated absence when the licensee is unavailable to a patient;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(7)">
      <text>Make a referral only to other qualified and duly licensed health care providers;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(8)">
      <text>Accurately inform a patient, a health care professional, and the public of the limitations of the practice of acupuncture and make a referral to an appropriate health care practitioner as needed;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(9)">
      <text>Adequately assess the patient to determine whether a contraindication against acupuncture treatment exists before beginning treatment;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(10)">
      <text>Exercise independent professional judgement in the treatment and evaluation of a patient, regardless of whether the patient was referred by another health care provider; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(11)">
      <text>Provide full notice to the patient that the patient would not reasonably be expected to benefit from the treatment.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>A licensee may not:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Accept a client for treatment, or continue unnecessary treatment, when the patient cannot be reasonably expected to benefit from the treatment;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Receive remuneration from, or split a fee for, either making or accepting a referral of the patient to another health care practitioner;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Make a guarantee or promise about the efficacy of a particular treatment, the licensee's practice, or the result of a treatment unless supported by scientific principles accepted by the profession; or</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Exploit the professional relationship by:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Continuing treatment unnecessarily;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Charging for a service:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Not provided, or</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Different from those actually provided.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>