Registrar's Report February 2021 Registrar's message
Dear Colleagues,
As we pass through the doldrums of winter, the hope of spring, warmer weather, and outdoor activities is a welcome distraction. It is important to think ahead, plan for the future, and dream of better days.
For the ACAC, planning is already underway for the year ahead. In light of membership renewal being just five months away, I want to quickly remind members of the requirements and timelines. Are you retiring, pausing your practice, or leaving Alberta to practice elsewhere? If so, you are required to file a change of status with the ACAC. Failure to file a change of status will result in a record of suspension. We understand that failing to file these forms is not intentional, however, we are bound by the Health Professions Act to keep an accurate registration record. If you fall into one of the above categories, please remember to file a change of status with the ACAC, or if you have questions, please call us at 780.420.0932.
Conditional requirements of renewal Due to COVID-19, the requirements for this year's renewal are different. This year, members will need to complete a minimum of 48 CC credits (instead of the regular 24). We also have about 1,000 member who will need to submit proof of their First Aid and CPR certification. Annual requirements like Trauma-informed Training and the Record-keeping Course apply to all members.
I encourage you to complete and submit your renewal requirements as soon as possible to accommodate any unforeseen circumstances. Your complete renewal package, including all conditional requirements, are due in the ACAC office by June 20, 2021, or your renewal will be considered late.
Regards,
Dr. Todd Halowski Registrar
A letter from the Chair of the Competence Committee Hello Colleagues,
At this time when we have additional challenges and responsibilities in relation to the pandemic, it is important to stay consistent with the fundamental responsibilities we have in regards to record-keeping. My primary focus with this message today is to remind us all (myself included) of the importance of documenting a history and examination for every area treated. The example I will use today is that of a patient that presents with low back pain. The chiropractor records an adequate history, exam, diagnosis, and written treatment plan, but then two or three visits later, there are records of treatment applied to the cervical spine with no record of history, exam, diagnosis, or treatment plan. I think we can quote the CCPA here—OUCH!
There are many reasons why a situation like this can arise. The doctor doesn’t want to annoy a patient as their low back is now feeling better, so they want the doctor to jump to treating the neck pain because the patient woke up with a thunderclap headache today. In a situation like this, it is best if the chiropractor does not think in terms of patient retention or relationships, but rather thinks as a doctor. If the patient has a new issue that cannot be addressed on the presenting visit, then the doctor could direct the patient to book a time for proper assessment and documentation of the issue.
A similar situation can arise for chiropractors that use technique-based assessments. Our profession currently allows us to be very broad in the scope of what we can offer the public for treatment. It is important to keep in mind that your technique-based assessment can complement standard orthopedic and neurological assessment, but it does not replace it. It is our responsibility to identify and act when a patient needs a referral to a medical practitioner, regardless of what treatment options we have available for the patient.
Kind regards, Dr. Chris Anderson Chair of the Competence Committee
Review your privacy practices and policies yearly When was the last time you considered your privacy policies and practices? If it's been more than a year, it would be a good time to conduct a review.
In Alberta, chiropractors are responsible to two separate Privacy Acts: the Health Information Act and the Personal Information Protection Act. The collection, management, and use of personal information is an essential part of running a practice and a business today. You are advised to read each Act and be aware of how the Act applies to your practice and business.
The intent of a Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA) is to capture in writing your consideration of the safeguards for the collection, storage, and use of personal information that you employ in your office. These safeguards encompass, but are not limited to, physical, software, and access safeguards. How do you audit access to information to demonstrate that you are protecting access to personal information? How do you manage access within your systems so people only access information that they have permission to access? For those that have submitted PIAs, you have taken the first and most important step to safeguard patient information.
Any time you change how you manage health information, whether you start collecting that information for the first time or you are changing software vendors, a PIA is required. Beyond the times when a PIA is required, it is considered best practice to complete a privacy review at least annually. This is a less formal process but asks the same questions and may lead to the conclusion that you need to update your current PIA.
X-ray Annual Preventative Maintenance and x-ray five-year registration and renewal both due March 31, 2021 X-ray Annual Preventative Maintenance (APM) requirements are now due at the same time as x-ray registration renewal requirements, on March 31, 2021.
APM and x-ray renewal reminder notices will continue to be sent separately.
All x-ray facilities must complete APM. Only those who receive notice are required to complete their five-year compliance and registration renewal. Please note that APM is not optional in the year that your five-year compliance and registration renewal is due.
Although there is some overlap between APM and Authorized Radiation Protective Agency (ARPA) compliance inspections, there are also significant differences. ARPAs cannot provide APM services and vice versa. Requirements for both services can be viewed here.
Laser five-year registration renewal due June 30, 2021 Only those who receive an email notice are required to complete their five-year registration renewal.
A package including the required renewal forms and information can be downloaded here. Laser registration renewal requirements must be submitted to the ACAC no later than June 30, 2021.
It is necessary for you to schedule your compliance inspection with one of the Authorized Radiation Protective Agencies (ARPA) listed in the renewal form package. You are encouraged to book your ARPA immediately, as there can be substantial wait times for this service. Please note that wait times have increased due to COVID-19.
Join us for our next virtual member meeting on February 9 at 2 p.m. The last ACAC virtual member meeting took place on January 12. About 40 members joined Council Chair Dr. Brad Kane, CEO Sheila Steger, and Registrar Dr. Todd Halowski on the one-hour information sharing and Q&A session. If you were unable to attend, you can view the recording of the meeting on our website.
We encourage you to join us for our next virtual members meetings on February 9, 2021, at 2 p.m.
Five months until CC credit requirements must be met As you are aware, the 2020/2021 CC credit reporting period has been extended and a total of 48 CC credits are now due by the end of June. Please remember that certificates must be submitted by June 20, 2021 to allow time for processing.
Please note: Trauma-Informed Training is an annual requirement. If you completed your Trauma-Informed Training course prior to July 1, 2020, you will need to complete the course again prior to June 20, 2021. For members whose Standard First Aid and CPR expire before June 20, 2021, the ACAC is not concerned if your certification lapses during the renewal year. You are only required to submit proof of current certification on June 20, 2021. However, we encourage you to confirm the requirements of your certification provider, as they may have different timing requirements.
If you have not yet started working towards meeting the CC credit requirement, we encourage you to start today so you can easily meet the June 20, 2021 deadline. Visit our website for full renewal requirements.
Learn how to print tax receipts from your members' centre The ACAC has developed more tutorials for navigating your member profile, including how to update your contact information, view membership dues and more.
Compliance corner: Advertising Directive Regularly monitoring all of your advertising channels is a key action step in ensuring the information being provided is compliant with the Health Professions Act, Standards of Practice, and the Advertising Directive.
In the last Registrar’s Report, changes were communicated that the Advertising Directive had been adjusted to include terminology related to breech, breech position, or breech malposition. You can find the updated Advertising Directive here.
With the start of a new year, it is advisable to review your advertising, or have your provider conduct an audit, to ensure that all of your content is compliant. It is also good practice to distribute the Advertising Directive and Social Media Guidelines to any service provider that will be adding content to your digital footprint. This way they will ensure that content is compliant prior to posting and negate any risk of follow up actions being required.
The ACAC appreciates the dedication and attention that chiropractors in Alberta display in their ongoing efforts to remain compliant with the regulations and legislation that governs the profession. It is this commitment that demonstrates to all parties that chiropractors are a vital component in the health care of all Albertans.
Highlights: Discipline View discipline decisions and members with conditions on our discipline webpage. Return to Practice feedback survey We want to hear how implementing the Return to Practice plan is going in your clinic. Please submit your feedback to us using this survey. Email for CC submissions If you have earned a certificate of completion from an eligible CC seminar or from mandatory training such as Standard First Aid with CPR-C/AED or trauma-informed training, we strongly encourage you to forward it to the ACAC office now. Fax: 780-425-6583
Certificates are normally processed within 10 business days. CC credits will appear in your profile once processing is complete. Diagnostic image viewing AHS will stop providing CDs of diagnostic images. In order to view these images, you will need Netcare access.
If you already have Netcare access, please stop requisitions for CDs and start to use the Netcare portal to view all diagnostic images.
MVA and DTPR: Diagnostic and treatment protocols Now is a good time to brush up on your knowledge in the processing and handling of MVA. In light of the initial rollout of vaccines for COVID-19, please remember vaccination and immunization are not within the chiropractic scope of practice.
The ACAC directs members to refer all patient questions, consultation and education regarding immunization and vaccination to the appropriate public health authorities and/or health professional whose scope of practice includes vaccination.
We continue to screen members’ web and social media for compliance with the Advertising Directive.
Please ensure you are regularly reviewing your website and social media accounts and removing any content in contravention. |