58-73-601 - Scope of practice for a chiropractic physician.
58-73-601. Scope of practice for a chiropractic physician.
(1) A chiropractic physician licensed under this chapter may engage in the practice ofchiropractic as defined in Section 58-73-102 in accordance with the following standards.
(2) A chiropractic physician may:
(a) examine, diagnose, and treat only within the scope of chiropractic as described in thisSubsection (2);
(b) use x-ray for diagnostic purposes only;
(c) administer:
(i) physical agents, including light, heat, cold, water, air, sound, compression, electricity,and electromagnetic radiation except gamma radiation; and
(ii) physical activities and devices, including:
(A) exercise with and without devices;
(B) joint mobilization;
(C) mechanical stimulation;
(D) postural drainage;
(E) traction;
(F) positioning;
(G) wound debridement, cleansing, and dressing changes;
(H) splinting;
(I) training in locomotion and other functional activities with and without assistancedevices; and
(J) correction of posture, body mechanics, and gait;
(d) administer the following topically applied medicinal agents, including steroids,anesthetics, coolants, and analgesics for wound care and for musculoskeletal treatment, includingtheir use by iontophoresis or phonophoresis;
(e) treat pain incident to major or minor surgery, cancer, obstetrics, or x-ray therapy;
(f) utilize immobilizing appliances, casts, and supports for support purposes, but may notset displaced bone fractures;
(g) inform the patient of possible side effects of medication and recommend referral tothe prescribing practitioner;
(h) provide instruction in the use of physical measures, activities, and devices forpreventive and therapeutic purposes;
(i) provide consulting, educational, and other advisory services for the purposes ofreducing the incidence and severity of physical disability, movement dysfunctions, bodilymalfunction, and pain;
(j) treat a human being to assess, prevent, correct, alleviate, and limit physical disability,movement dysfunction, bodily malfunction, and pain resulting from disorders, congenital andaging conditions, injury, and disease; and
(k) administer, interpret, and evaluate tests.
(3) A chiropractic physician may not:
(a) perform incisive surgery;
(b) administer drugs or medicines for which an authorized prescription is required by lawexcept as provided in Subsection (2)(d);
(c) treat cancer;
(d) practice obstetrics;
(e) prescribe or administer x-ray therapy; or
(f) set displaced fractures.
(4) A chiropractic physician shall assume responsibility for his examinations, diagnoses,and treatment.
(5) Nothing in this section authorizes a chiropractic physician to prescribe, possess fordispensing, dispense, purchase without a prescription written by a licensed and authorizedpractitioner, or administer, except under Subsection (2)(d), a drug requiring a prescription todispense, under Title 58, Chapter 37, Utah Controlled Substances Act, or Title 58, Chapter 17b,Pharmacy Practice Act.
(6) Only primary health care providers licensed under this title as osteopathic physicians,physicians and surgeons, naturopaths, and chiropractic physicians, may diagnose, adjust,manipulate, or therapeutically position the articulation of the spinal column to the extentpermitted by their scopes of practice.
Amended by Chapter 280, 2004 General Session