SSTANDARD

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ApprovedbytheTransition
nalCouncilonJanuary14January15,20
013

Standards of Practice

Contents
Introduction..................................................................................................................................................2
Legislation,StandardsandEthics..................................................................................................................6
DiagnosisandTreatment..............................................................................................................................7
SafePractice..................................................................................................................................................9
Communication...........................................................................................................................................10
RecordKeeping...........................................................................................................................................11

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Standards of Practice

Introduction
TheStandardsofPracticehavebeendevelopedbytheCollegeofTraditionalChineseMedicine
PractitionersandAcupuncturistsofOntario(CTCMPAO)todeterminewhetheraregisteredTraditional
ChineseMedicinePractitioner(R.TCMP)andAcupuncturist(R.Ac)canperformatanacceptablelevel.
TheStandardsofPracticereflecttheknowledge,skillsandjudgementR.TCMPsandR.Acsneedinorder
toperformtheservicesandproceduresthatfallwithinthescopeofpracticeoftheprofession.
TheRegulatedHealthProfessionsActandthecompanionhealthprofessionsActsgovernthepracticeof
regulatedhealthprofessionsinOntario.

The Regulated Health Professions Act (RHPA)

TheRHPAconsistsofdifferentparts:aMainPartandaProceduralCodethatincludestheadministering
bodies,thecontrolledactsandrequirementsforalltheColleges.ThesepartsconstitutetheRHPA
properandapplyto,oraredeemedtoapplyto,alltheregulatedhealthprofessions.Thehealth
professionActslistprofessionspecificprovisions,suchastheprofessionsscopeofpracticestatement
andauthorizedacts.ThehealthprofessionActforR.TCMPsandR.AcsistheTraditionalChinese
MedicineAct.
TheprimarybodyresponsibleforadministeringtheRHPA,andthecompanionhealthprofessionActs,
suchastheTraditionalChineseMedicineAct,istheregulatoryCollegeofprofession.ForR.TCMPsand
R.Acs,thisistheCollegeofTraditionalChineseMedicinePractitionersandAcupuncturistsofOntario
(CTCMPAO).

Scope of practice / controlled acts model

Thismodelenhancespublicprotectionandchoicebyspecificallyidentifyingandcontrollingthe
performanceofthoseprocedurethatposeriskofharm(the14controlledacts),withoutgivingany
professionanexclusiveorlicensedareaofpractice.Instead,eachprofessionhasascopeofpractice
statement,whichdescribesingeneraltermswhattheprofessiondoes.Thecontrolledactprocedures
areauthorizedforspecifichealthprofessions.Proceduresthatarenotcontrolledactsareinthepublic
domainandmaybeperformedbyregulatedhealthprofessionsorbyunregulatedindividuals.Inthis
model,therefore,controlledactproceduresmaybelikenedtolicensedprocedures,becauseonly
personsauthorizedundertheRHPAmayperformthem.Thescopeofpracticestatements,however,are
notlicensed,andelementsofthescopestatementsmayoverlapbetweenprofessions.Theregulated
healthprofessions,therefore,areregistered,notlicensed.
Theintentofthismodelistoprovidethepublicwithprotectionandchoiceamongstregulatedhealth
careprofessionswhomayprovidearangeofhealthcareservices,subjecttoscope,standardsand
competence.

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Standards of Practice

Elementsofthemodel
Thismodelconsistsofanumberofelements,themainonesbeing:
ScopeofPracticeStatement:
Thescopeofpracticestatementcorrespondstowhatmembersoftheprofessionlearnintheirprograms
ofpreparationandsetsouttheareasofexpectedcompetence.Itestablishesthefoundationforthe
practiceoftheprofessionandservesasaframeofreferenceforsuchthingsasentrytopractice
requirements,theperformanceofauthorizedacts,andthestandardsofpracticeoftheprofession.The
scopeofpracticestatementsdonotestablishalicensedareaofpractice(i.e.,theareaofpracticeisnot
restrictedtoaparticularprofession),andelementsofthestatementsofthedifferenthealthprofessions
overlap,sothatvariousprofessionsmayprovidesimilarhealthcareservices.
ControlledActs:
Thereare14procedures,listedinSection27oftheRHPA,thataredeemedtoposeriskofphysicalharm
ifperformedbyunqualifiedpersons.UndertheprofessionspecifichealthprofessionAct,the
professionsareauthorizedtoperform,eitherinfullorinpart,thecontrolledacts,dependingonthe
professionsscopeofpracticeandexpectedcompetencies.Inadditiontopermittingperformanceof
controlledactprocedures,theRHPAalsogivestheoptiontodelegateortransfertheauthorityto
performthecontrolledactsfromthoseauthorizedtoperformthemundertheirhealthprofessionActto
otherswhoarenot.Therefore,professionshavetheoptiontodelegateprocedureswithintheir
authorizedactstoothersandtoacceptdelegationfromotherhealthcareprofessionalsofcontrolledact
procedures,eitherthroughlegislationordelegation.
AuthorizedActs:
Anauthorizedactisacontrolledact,orportionofacontrolledact,thatisauthorizedforaspecific
professiontoperformunderitshealthprofessionAct.Eachregulatedhealthprofessionisauthorizedto
performfrom0to13ofthe14controlledacts,eitherinfullorinpart,dependingonthescopeof
practiceandcompetenciesoftheprofession.Asanexample,inrelationtoControlledAct2,performing
aprocedureontissuebelowthedermis,belowthesurfaceofamucousmembrane,cornea,surfaceof
theteeth,includingscaling:physiciansareauthorizedtoperformallofthiscontrolledactexceptfor
scaling.
PriortothepassingoftheTraditionalChineseMedicineActinDecemberof2006,acupuncturewas
entirelyexemptfromthecontrolledactofperformingaprocedurebelowthedermisandanyonewas
abletoperformthisactivity.However,withthepassingoftheTraditionalChineseMedicineAct,
acupunctureisnolongerentirelyexemptfromthiscontrolledact.

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Standards of Practice
Thefollowinghealthcareprofessionsareexemptfromtheprohibitionagainstperformingthecontrolled
actofacupuncture,underanexemptionforcontrolledactscontainedinaregulationmadeunderthe
authorityoftheRHPA(OntarioRegulation107/96,Controlledacts).
Inthetablebelow,Column1liststheCollegesandColumn2liststheprofessionswhocannowperform
acupunctureproceduresontissuebelowthedermis.However,acupunctureperformedbymembersof
theCollegeslistedinColumn1mustdosoinaccordancewiththestandardsofpracticeestablishedby
theCollegesandwithinthescopeofpracticeoftheprofessions.
TABLE

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Column1(Colleges)
CollegeofChiropodistsofOntario
CollegeofChiropractorsofOntario
CollegeofMassageTherapistsofOntario
CollegeofNursesofOntario
CollegeofOccupationalTherapistsofOntario
CollegeofPhysiotherapistsofOntario
RoyalCollegeofDentalSurgeonsofOntario

Column2(Professions)
Chiropody
Chiropractic
MassageTherapy
Nursing
OccupationalTherapy
Physiotherapy
Dentistry

Forexample,thescopeofpracticeofoccupationaltherapyfromtheOccupationalTherapyAct(1991)
reads:
Thepracticeofoccupationaltherapyistheassessmentoffunctionandadaptivebehaviourandthe
treatmentandpreventionofdisorderswhichaffectfunctionoradaptivebehaviourtodevelop,
maintain,rehabilitateoraugmentfunctionoradaptivebehaviourintheareasofselfcare,
productivityandleisure.
TheCollegeofOccupationalTherapistsofOntariohasdevelopedacupuncturestandardsofpracticefor
OccupationalTherapists.MembersoftheCollegeofOccupationalTherapistsofOntariocanonlyapply
acupunctureasitrelatestotheirscopeofpracticeandtheproceduremustbeincompliancewiththe
standardsforacupunctureasestablishedbytheCollege.
TheTraditionalChineseMedicineAct,2006setsoutthescopeofpracticestatementasfollows:
ThepracticeoftraditionalChinesemedicineistheassessmentofbodysystemdisordersthrough
traditionalChinesemedicinetechniquesandtreatmentusingtraditionalChinesemedicinetherapies
topromote,maintainorrestorehealth.
TheTraditionalChineseMedicineActalsosetsoutwhichofthe14controlledactsassetoutinthe
RegulatedHealthProfessionsActR.TCMPsandR.Acsareauthorizedtoperform.Theseareknownas
authorizedacts.TheTraditionalChineseMedicineActstates:

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Standards of Practice
1. Performingaprocedureontissuebelowthedermisandbelowthesurfaceofamucous
membraneforthepurposeofperformingacupuncture.
2. CommunicatingatraditionalChinesemedicinediagnosisidentifyingabodysystemdisorderas
thecauseofapersonssymptomsusingtraditionalChinesemedicinetechniques.
TheStandardsofPracticeforR.TCMPsandR.Acsareintendedtobegeneric.Theindicatorsfollowing
eachPracticeStandardareexamplesoftheapplicationofthatStandardofPracticeinaspecific
dimensionofpractice.TheStandardsofPracticearereferencedtothefollowingdocuments:

EntryLevelOccupationalCompetenciesforthePracticeofTraditionalChineseMedicinein
Canada,CanadianAllianceofRegulatoryBodiesofTCMPractitionersandAcupuncturists.
RecommendedtotheProvincialRegulatoryAuthoritiesOctober17,2009.
EntryLevelOccupationalCompetenciesforthePracticeofTraditionalChineseMedicinein
Canada(October2009),PerformanceIndicators,SubmittedbyPLACED,TheG.RaymondChang
SchoolofContinuingEducationRyersonUniversitytotheTransitionalCouncil/Collegeof
TraditionalChineseMedicinePractitionersandAcupuncturistsofOntario(TC/CTCMPAO)in
completionoftheMemorandumofUnderstandingbetweenPLACEDandTC/CTCMPAO,
ApprovedbytheTransitionalCouncilJanuary25,2010.
EntryLevelOccupationalCompetenciesforthePracticeofTraditionalChineseMedicinein
Canada,CanadianAllianceofRegulatoryBodiesofTCMPractitionersandAcupuncturists,May
2010.
CanadianAllianceofRegulatoryBodiesofTraditionalChineseMedicinePractitionersand
Acupuncturists(CARBACOR),PanCanadianStandardsforTraditionalChineseMedicine
PractitionersandAcupuncturists:PerformanceIndicatorsandAssessmentBlueprintsforthe
EntryLevelOccupationalCompetencies,RecommendedtotheProvincialRegulatory
Authorities,October24,2010.
SafetyProgramforTraditionalChineseMedicinePractitionersandAcupuncturists,British
ColumbiaandOntario,June2012.
JurisprudenceCourseHandbookImportantLegalPrinciplesPractitionersNeedtoKnow,College
ofTraditionalChineseMedicinePractitionersandAcupuncturistsofOntario,August2012.

IntheStandardsofPracticethetermlegislationreferstobothstatutesandregulations.Inthe
StandardsofPracticethereisreferencetotheCodeofEthics.Thisreferstothecodeofethicsfor
CTCMPAOmembers(CodeofEthicsforMembers).ItisintendedthattheCodeofEthicsbeusedin
conjunctionwiththeStandardsofPractice.Together,thesedocumentsprovideamodelforensuring
safe,effectiveandethicalprofessionalperformancetoensuresafe,effectiveandethicaloutcomesfor
patients.
UndertheCollegesStandardsofPracticeR.TCMPsandR.Acsareexpectedtobe:
Competent:meaningtohavethenecessaryknowledge,skillsandjudgementtoensuresafe,effective
andethicaloutcomesforthepatient.ThismeansthatR.TCMPsandR.Acsmustmaintaincompetence
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Standards of Practice
intheirpractice,mustrefrainfromactingifnotcompetent,andmusttakeappropriateactiontoaddress
thesituation.
Accountable:meaningtotakeresponsibilityfordecisionsandactions.ThismeansthatR.TCMPsandR.
Acsmustaccepttheconsequencesoftheirdecisionsandactionsandactonthebasisofwhattheyin
theirclinicaljudgement,believeisinthebestinterestsofthepatient.
Collaborative:meaningtoworkwithothermembersofthehealthcareteamtoachievethebest
possibleoutcomesforthepatient.ThismeansthatthatR.TCMPsandR.Acsareresponsiblefor
communicatingwithothermembersofthehealthcareteam,andtakingappropriateactiontoaddress
gapsanddifferencesinjudgementaboutcareprovision.

1.

Legislation,StandardsandEthics

Description
R.TCMPsandR.AcsaremembersoftheCollegeofTraditionalChineseMedicinePractitionersand
AcupuncturistsofOntario.Thisensuresthattheyhavemettheprofessionaleducationrequirementsof
theCollegeandthattheycontinuetoeducatethemselvesaboutpractical,legal,ethicalandother
matterspertainingtotheprofession.

Standard of Practice (1) Legislation, Standards and Ethics

R.TCMPsandR.Acsmustunderstand,andadhereto,thelegislationgoverningthepracticeofthe
profession,theStandardsofPracticesetbytheCollege,theCodeofEthicssetbytheCollegeandtheBy
laws.

PerformanceIndicators
R.TCMPsandR.Acsmust:
a) maintaintheknowledge,skillsandjudgementtoperformproceduresundertakeninthecourseof
practicingtheprofession;
b) adheretoallrelevantprovincialandfederallegislationandmunicipallawandguidelinesgoverning
thepracticeoftheprofession;
c) adheretotheStandardsofPracticesetbytheCollege;
d) adheretotheCodeofethics;
e) adheretoallregulationsmadeundertheTraditionalChineseMedicineActincluding:
I.
II.

professionalmisconduct;
registration;and

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Standards of Practice
III.

2.

qualityassurance.

DiagnosisandTreatment

Description
R.TCMPsandR.Acsarehealthcareprofessionalswhopossessafundamentalbodyofknowledge,skills
andjudgmentfollowingtraditionalChinesemedicineprincipleswhicharedirectedtoeffectivepatient
careinthediagnosisandtreatmentofpatients.R.TCMPsandR.Acsusetheessentialprinciplesof
traditionalChinesemedicinetoassesspatientsandpromotetheirhealth,andpreventandtreat
commondisease.Theircareischaracterizedbyethicalandsafeclinicalpracticeaswellaswitheffective
communicationinpartnershipwithpatientsandotherhealthcareproviders.
R.TCMPsandR.Acsareauthorizedtoperformtwocontrolledacts,whichtheyhavebeenauthorizedto
performwithintheirscopeofpracticeundertheTraditionalChineseMedicineAct.Thetwocontrolled
actsthatR.TCMPsandR.Acsareauthorizedtoperformare:

Performingaprocedureontissuebelowthedermisandbelowthesurfaceofamucous
membraneforthepurposeofperformingacupuncture.
CommunicatingatraditionalChinesemedicinediagnosisidentifyingabodysystemdisorderas
thecauseofapersonssymptomsusingtraditionalChinesemedicinetechniques.

UndertheRegulatedHealthProfessionsAct,R.TCMPsandR.Acsmaydelegatethetwocontrolledacts
authorizedtoR.TCMPsandR.AcsundertheundertheTraditionalChineseMedicineActprovidedthey
complywiththeRegulatedHealthProfessionsAct,andtheprofessionalmisconductregulationmade
undertheTraditionalChineseMedicineAct.

Standard of Practice (2) Diagnosis and Treatment

R.TCMPsandR.Acsmustbeabletoaccuratelyassessbodysystemdisordersthroughtraditional
Chinesemedicinetechniques.R.TCMPsandR.Acsmustbeproficientinprovidingtreatmentusing
traditionalChinesemedicinetherapiestopromote,maintainorrestorehealth.R.TCMPsandR.Acs
mustbeskilledintheapplicationofacupunctureandmustadheretotheWorldHealthOrganization
(WHO)standardforthelocationofacupuncturepoints.R.TCMPsmustbeabletoaccuratelyselectand
recommendherbalmedicinesbasedontheTraditionalChineseMedicinediagnosisandtreatmentplan
andmakemodificationsbasedonthepatientsphysical,medicalandhealthhistoryasnecessary.
R.TCMPsandR.AcsmustbeabletoperformthetwocontrolledactsauthorizedtoR.TCMPsandR.Acs
asrequiredinthecourseofengaginginthepracticeoftheprofession.Theymustnotperformthe
authorizedacts,oranyexemptedcontrolledacts,unlesstheconditionsundertheRegulatedHealth
ProfessionsAct,theTraditionalChineseMedicineActandtheirrespectiveregulationshavebeenmet.

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Standards of Practice

PerformanceIndicators
R.TCMPsandR.Acsmust:
a) performonlythosecontrolledactsthathavebeenauthorized,underthelegislation;
b) notperformanyprocedurewhichmayresultinseriousphysicalharm,unlessthatprocedureis
withinthescopeofpracticeoftheprofessionortheR.TCMPandR.Acisauthorizedorpermitted
todosobylegislation;
c) carryoutassessmentandtreatmentonlywiththeinformedconsentofthepatient,orthepatients
substitutedecisionmaker;
d) useappropriateaseptictechniquesandinfectioncontrolproceduresinthecourseofexaminations
andtreatment;
e) instructthepatienttoremoveonlytheclothinganditemsthatwouldinterferewiththe
examinationortreatmentprocedures;
f) provideuseofappropriatedrapingmaterialstocoverareaswhereclothingwasremoved;
g) explaintothepatientwhenandwheretheR.TCMPandR.Acmighttouchthepatientandwhy;
h) touchthepatientinonlythoseareasneededtofacilitatethecarryingouttheprocedure;
i) effectivelyperformaphysicalassessmentofthepatientforthepurposeofhealthpromotion,
diagnosisand/ormanagementthatisrelevantandaccurate.
j) effectivelyanalysetheinformationtodetermineadiagnosisandestablishaneffectivetreatment
plan;
k) adheretotheWorldHealthOrganization(WHO)standardforthelocationofacupuncturepoints;
l) applysafeandaccurateproceduresandprocessesinimplementingthetreatmentplan;
m) accountforeveryneedlethatisinserted,removed,anddisposedofduringtreatment;
n) initiateemergencyresponseproceduresasrequiredifapatientsuffersanyadversereactiontoa
treatment;
o) communicateatraditionalChinesemedicinediagnosisidentifyingabodysystemdisorderasthe
causeofapersonssymptoms;
p) assessthepatientsconditionduringthecourseofthetreatmentorproceduresandrespond
accordingly;
InadditionR.TCMPsmust:
q) takeintoaccountallprecautionsandcontradictionsoftheherbsandformulasrecommendedtothe
patient;
r) select,recommendandcombineherbalmedicinesbasedontheTraditionalChineseMedicine
diagnosisandtreatmentplanandmakemodificationsbasedonthepatientsphysical,medicaland
healthhistoryasnecessary;and
s) advisepatientsabouttheuseofherbaltreatmentincludingthedosagerouteofadministration,and
scheduleforadministration.

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Standards of Practice

3.

SafePractice

Description
R.TCMPsandR.AcsassessbodysystemdisordersthroughtraditionalChineseMedicinetechniques
andtreatmentusingtraditionalChinesemedicinetherapiestopromote,maintainorrestorehealth.
Toensureprotectiontopatients,thegeneralpublic,membersofthehealthcaresystem,aswellas
practitionersR.TCMPsandR.Acsendeavortoreducetheriskofharmbyengaginginsafepractices,
andcontinuingtomaintainandupgradetheirsafepracticeskillsbyreferencingagenciessuchasthe
CTCMPAOandfederalandprovincialgovernmenthealthministries.

Standard of Practice (3) Safe Practice

R.TCMPsandR.Acsmusthavetheknowledge,skillsandjudgementtopractisesafelybyadheringtothe
relevantprovincialandfederallegislationandguidelinesandmanufacturersdirectionspertainingto
healthandsafety.Intheeventofanyunexpectedproblemsoremergencies,R.TCMPsandR.Acsmust
becompetentandpreparedtohandlethemanagementofthesituation.

PerformanceIndicators
R.TCMPsandR.Acsmust:
a) observeallrelevantmunicipal,provincialandfederallegislationandguidelinespertainingtohealth
andsafety,suchasthe:
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.

RegulatedHealthProfessionsActanditsregulations;
TraditionalChineseMedicineActanditsregulations;
OccupationalHealthandSafetyActanditsregulations
WorldHealthOrganization(WHO)standardforthelocationofacupuncturepoints;
WorkplaceHazardousMaterialsInformationSystem;

b) determinerisksandcontraindicationsforacupuncturetreatment;
c) determinerisksandcontraindicationsformoxibustiontreatment;
d) takeintoaccountthepatientsphysicalandemotionallimitations,andensurethatthepatientwill
notbeexpectedtoperformanytaskormovementthatwouldcausephysicalharm;
e) usesterileneedletechniquetoreducetheriskofinfections,diseasesandtransmissionssuchas
HepatitisBinperformingtheprocedureofacupunctureincompliancewiththeCTCMPAOguidelines
pertainingtoacupuncture;
f) useappropriateaseptictechniquesandinfectioncontrolproceduresinthecourseofexaminations
ortreatment;

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Standards of Practice
g) protectthemselves,theircolleagues,staff,othermembersofthehealthcareteam,anyother
individualswhomaybepresent,aswellasanypatient,fromanycommunicableandinfectious
diseases;
h) conductappropriatemaintenanceproceduresforallequipmentandsubstancestobeusedinan
examinationortreatment;
i) takecorrectiveactionifthemaintenanceprocedureresultsarenotwithinacceptablelimits;
j) initiateemergencyresponseproceduresifapatientsuffersanyadversereactiontoatreatmentora
substanceadministeredorally;
k) initiateemergencyresponseproceduresintheeventthatapatientexhibitsabusiveorviolent
behaviour;
l) disposeofexpiredorcontaminatedsubstancesormaterialsIaccordancewithlegislationandall
CTCMPAOguidelinespertainingtowastemanagement;
InadditionR.TCMPsmust:
m) determinerisks,contraindicationsandriskofanadversereactionfortreatmentwithherbals.

4.

Communication

Description
R.TCMPsandR.Acseffectivelycommunicatewiththeirpatients,families,caregivers,other
professionalsandotherimportantindividuals.R.TCMPsandR.Acsrecognizethatgoodcommunication
skillsareessentialforestablishingrapportandtrustwiththepatient,formulatinganassessment,
deliveringinformation,strivingformutualunderstanding,andfacilitatingasharedplanofcare.

Standard of Practice (4) Communication

R.TCMPsandR.Acsmustbeabletodevelopatrustingandtherapeuticrelationshipswithpatients.They
musthavegoodcommunicationskillstoelicitandcombinerelevantinformationtoassessthepatient
anddevelopandimplementatreatmentplan.R.TCMPsandR.Acsmustbeabletoaccuratelyconvey
relevantinformationandexplanationstopatients,families,colleaguesandotherprofessionals.

PerformanceIndicators
R.TCMPsandR.Acsmust:
a) provideclearandunderstandableinformationtothepatient,orthepatientssubstitutedecision
maker,priorto,duringandaftertreatment,usinganinterpreterifnecessary;
b) givethepatient,orthepatientssubstitutedecisionmaker,anopportunitytoaskquestions;

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Standards of Practice
c) carryoutexaminationsortreatmentonlywiththeinformedconsentofthepatient,orthepatients
substitutedecisionmaker;
d) keepallpatientinformationconfidential,exceptwhennecessarytofacilitateanassessmentor
treatmentofthepatientorwhenlegallyobligedorallowedtodisclosesuchinformation;
e) observeallrelevantlegislation,suchastheHealthCareConsentAct,andallCTCMPAOguidelines
pertainingtoconsent;
f) observetheRegulatedHealthProfessionsActandallguidelinesoftheCTCMPAOpertainingto
boundariesandthepreventionofsexualabuse;
g) usearangeofcommunicationskillstodevelopandmaintaineffectiveprofessionalrelationships;
h) collaboratewithothermembersofthehealthcareteamtopromotethebestpossibleoutcomesfor
thepatient;
i) usearangeofrelationshipskillstoaddressprofessionaldifferencesthatmayleadtoconflict;
j) providecaretopatientsregardlessoftheirrace,ancestry,placeoforigin,colour,ethnicorigin,
citizenship,creed,sex,sexualorientation,age,maritalstatus,familystatus,ordisability.

5.

RecordKeeping

Description
Creatingandmaintainingrecordsandreportsareessentialcomponentsoftheprofessionalpracticeof
allR.TCMPsandR.Acsasrecordsandreportsprovideinformationtootherhealthcareprofessionals
aboutrelevantaspectsofpatientcare,treatmentandassessment.

Standard of Practice (5) Record Keeping

R.TCMPsandR.Acsmusthavetheknowledge,skillsandjudgmenttocreateandmaintainadaily
appointmentlog,patientfilesandbillingrecordsandotherrecordsthatattesttothetreatmentofthe
patient.R.TCMPsandR.Acsmustbeproficientinmaintainingrecordsthatdescribeworkplaceand
safetyproceduresthathavebeencarriedout.R.TCMPsandR.Acsmustbeskillfulinproducingrecords
andreportsthatarealwaysaccurate,complete,legibleandtimely.

PerformanceIndicators
R.TCMPsandR.Acsmust:
a) maintainawrittenorelectronicdailyappointmentlogthatoutlinesthedate,name,andthetimeof
theappointmentforeachrespectivepatient;
b) createandmaintainacomprehensivefileforeachpatientinaccordancewiththerecordkeeping
guidelinesestablishedbytheCTCMPAO;
c) arrangeandorganizeallmaterialinpatientrecordsinamannerthatallowsforeasyandprompt
retrievalandensuressecurityandconfidentiality;
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Standards of Practice
d) complywithallrelevantlegislationsuchastheHealthCareConsentActandallCTCMPAOguidelines
pertainingtoconsent;
e) complywithanyprivacylegislationsuchasthePersonalHealthInformationProtectionActandall
CTCMPAOguidelinespertainingtoprivacy;
f) maintaincompleteandaccuraterecordsrelatedtobillingorpaymentforgoodsorservicesprovided
bythepractitionertothepatientinaccordancewiththerecordkeepingguidelinesestablishedby
theCTCMPAO;
g) maintainequipmentandsupplyrecordstomakedeterminationsastotheequipmentquality,
serviceabilityandoperabilityandtakeanycorrectiveactionsrequiredtomeetstandardssetby
legislation,manufacturesguidelinesandallCTCMPAOguidelinespertainingtoequipment;
h) ensurethatallelectronicandwrittenrecordsaremanagedaccordingtotheprinciplesand
guidelinesestablishedbytheCTCMPAO;
i) implementrecordretentionanddestructionprocessesincompliancewiththeRHPAandall
CTCMPAOguidelinespertainingtorecordretentionanddestructions;
InadditionR.TCMPsmust:
j)
k)

l)
m)
n)
o)

maintainanaccurateinventoryofherbstorecordpurchases,supplyandprescriptions(TCM)to
patients;
ensuresafestorage,labellingandhandlingofherbstoguaranteethattheherbswillbekeptfree
fromcontaminationandthattheherbqualityismaintainedincompliancewithalegislationsuchas
theNaturalHealthProductsDirectorateandtheCTCMPAOpoliciesandguidelinesrelatedtothe
safemanagementofherbalproducts;
conductappropriatequalitycontroltestsforallsubstancestoberecommendedinatreatmentplan;
takecorrectiveactionifthequalitycontroltestsarenotwithinacceptablelimits;
onlyuseherbsbeforetheirexpirytimeordate;
ensurethatallherbalprescriptions(TCM)arelegible,andcontainallofthenecessaryinformationto
allowtheprescription(TCM)tobeaccuratelyandsafelydispensed(TCM),usedandtracked.

Acknowledgements

ThankstotheCollegeofMedicalRadiationTechnologistsofOntarioforitssupportandfortheuse
ofitsmaterials.

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