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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Sixth Legislature, Second Regular Session
chiropractic care; diagnostic imaging
Purpose
Includes imaging in the scope of practice of a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC).
Background
DCs are licensed
by the Arizona Board of Chiropractic Examiners (Board) and are portal of entry
health care providers. DCs may engage in prescribed diagnostic procedures in
the course of determining a regimen of chiropractic care or forming a basis for
referral of a patient to another licensed health care professional. DCs may
perform the following diagnostic procedures:
1) physical and clinical examinations; 2) diagnostic x-rays; and 3) clinical
diagnostic laboratory procedures that are limited to nasal and oral swabs,
sputum collection, finger pricks or venipuncture (A.R.S.
§ 32-925).
The Board regulates the practice of chiropractic medicine in Arizona and is required to adopt rules as necessary to perform its duties (A.R.S. § 32-904). According to the Board's Jurisprudence Law Book, it is within the scope of chiropractic for a DC to order imaging studies that include the administration of contrast media, but the DC may not administer the contrast dye unless the DC holds an additional license in radiology (2018 Arizona Chiropractic Jurisprudence Law Book, p.121).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Adds imaging to the list of diagnostic procedures a chiropractor may perform when determining a regimen of chiropractic care or referral to another health care professional.
2. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Prepared by Senate Research
January 12, 2024
MM/KS/slp