Contents
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CODE
- I. General Responsibilities
- II. Responsibilities to the Physicians and Other Licensed Healthcare Prescribers
- III. Responsibilities to the Patient
- IV. Responsibilities to Colleagues and the Profession
- V. Application of the Code
- VI. Patient Care by Other Healthcare Professionals
- VII. Credential
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RULES
- I. Responsibility and Objectives of the Professional Ethics Committee
- II. Nature of Authority
- III. ABC Credential Holders Convicted or Charged with a Felony or Disciplined by Other Entities, Organizations or Agencies
- IV. Disciplinary Procedures — Initial Consideration
- V. Disciplinary Procedures — Initial Action
- VI. Disciplinary Procedures — Disposition of Complaint
- VII. Board Decisions
- VIII. Close of Case
- IX. Request for Reinstatement of Credential
- X. Governing Law/Venue
- Supplements
©2024 by the American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics & Pedorthics, Inc. All rights reserved.
No part of this document may be produced in any form without written permission of the American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics & Pedorthics, Inc.
The Code of Professional Responsibility and Rules & Procedures
June 2023
II. Responsibilities to the Physicians and Other Licensed Healthcare Prescribers
C2.1 — Diagnosis and Prescription
It is the responsibility of the ABC Credential Holder to work in conjunction with physicians and other licensed healthcare prescribers to determine the medical appropriateness of the orthosis, prosthesis or pedorthic device, as defined by the ABC Scope of Practice. The ABC Credential Holder must receive a prescription from a physician, other licensed healthcare prescriber, or other valid order that meets the Profession’s standards before providing any custom fabricated or pre-fabricated orthosis, prosthesis or pedorthic device to a patient. Valid orders include but are not limited to: referrals, authorizations, hospital or skilled nursing facility orders, or other requests that are consistent with the Profession’s standards.
Notwithstanding the above, the ABC Credential Holder may, without prescription or other valid order, provide an off-the-shelf orthosis, pedorthic device or component parts thereof or ancillary supplies for an orthosis, prosthesis or pedorthic device to a patient if (i) he/she/it is not addressing a diagnosed medical condition and (ii) the ABC Credential Holder does not expend his/her/its professional skills in custom fitting the orthosis or pedorthic device, the component parts thereof or the ancillary supplies for an orthosis, prosthesis or pedorthic device to the patient.
The ABC Credential Holder may, without prescription or other valid order, provide a non-therapeutic pedorthic device if (i) he/she/it is not addressing a medical condition and (ii) he/she/it is not addressing the patient’s biomechanical function.
C2.2 — Orthotic, Prosthetic and Pedorthic Evaluation and Recommendation
It is the responsibility of the ABC Credential Holder to recommend specific orthotic, prosthetic or pedorthic interventions. The ABC Credential Holder shall recognize that each individual patient is unique and Code of Professional Responsibility 3 deserves specific and responsive guidance from the ABC Credential Holder. The ABC Credential Holder shall be guided at all times by concern for the physical, emotional, social and economic welfare of the patient. All decisions by the ABC Credential Holder must be made with the understanding and intent that the patient’s best interests are of primary concern.
C2.3 — Changes in Patient’s Condition
When appropriate, or when requested by the patient, physician or other licensed healthcare prescriber, the ABC Credential Holder shall monitor and observe the patient’s physical condition in connection with the orthotic, prosthetic or pedorthic care and the prescribed device to make certain the patient is responding appropriately. As soon as possible, the ABC Credential Holder must notify the referring physician or other licensed healthcare prescriber and the patient of changes in the patient’s condition that may affect the patient’s orthotic, prosthetic or pedorthic treatment plan.
C2.4 — Provision of Services
The ABC Credential Holder shall recognize the patient’s freedom of choice in the selection of the orthotic, prosthetic or pedorthic provider. Professional affiliations, including employment and referral relationships, may not adversely limit access to orthotic, prosthetic and/or pedorthic Services. The ABC Credential Holder must adhere to the ethical principles of ABC which shall take preference over business relationships.
C2.5 — Modifications
The ABC Credential Holder may repair or adjust an orthosis, prosthesis or pedorthic device without notifying the referring physician or other licensed healthcare prescriber, however, such repairs or adjustments must conform to the original prescription or the prescription as modified by the referring physician or other licensed healthcare prescriber. Any repairs, adjustments, modifications or replacements that substantially alter the design or function of the originally prescribed devices must be authorized by the referring physician or the other licensed healthcare prescriber and documented in the patient’s clinical record.
