These Rules are promulgated under the authority of the Arkansas Orthotics, Prosthetics and Pedorthics Practice Act of 2007, Ark. Code Ann. § 17-107-101 et seq., as amended.
In addition to the purposes provided by the Act, these Rules are promulgated to protect the health and safety of individuals receiving orthotic, prosthetic, or pedorthic services in Arkansas.
Upon promulgation of these Rules, no person shall practice orthotics, prosthetics, or pedorthics in Arkansas, or hold himself or herself out as being able to practice such professions, or dispense an orthosis, prosthesis, or pedorthic device, unless such person is licensed in Arkansas.
A person who is an employee of any bureau, division, or agency of the federal government while in the discharge of the employee's official duties;
Licenses are subject to denial, suspension, restriction and revocation as provided by the Act. See Ark. Code Ann. § 17-107-310.
Individuals may appeal a disciplinary action within ten (10) calendar days of notice of the action. A request for appeal shall be made in writing to the Advisory Board. Mail or deliver notice to: OPP Advisory Board 5800 West 10th Street Suite 400 72204. Hearings will be conducted according to the Arkansas Administrative Act, Ark. Code Ann § 25-15-201 et seq.
Advertising shall not be false, fraudulent, deceptive, or misleading.
If any provision of these Rules or the application thereof to any person or circumstances is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications of these Rules which can give effect without the invalid provisions or applications and to this end the provision hereto are declared severable.
Addendum A: Code of Ethics
Orthotic, Prosthetic and Pedorthic Providers must uphold the dignity and honor of the profession, accept its disciplines and expose without hesitation illegal, unethical and incompetent conduct.
INTERPRETIVE STATEMENTS
Orthotic, Prosthetic and Pedorthic Providers are part of a collaborative effort to deliver proper health care to the patient under the Orthotic, Prosthetic and
Pedorthic Provider's care.
The Orthotic, Prosthetic and Pedorthic Provider has a personal, as well as a professional, obligation to protect and safeguard the patients from illegal and/or unethical actions or the incompetence of any person.
The Orthotic, Prosthetic and Pedorthic Provider must maintain personal integrity and establish the appropriate means to fully protect his freedom of conscience for the delivery of services to the patient.
The Orthotic, Prosthetic and Pedorthic Provider who demonstrates incompetence or illegal conduct as it pertains to the Code of Ethics shall be exposed to the proper authorities.
Orthotic, Prosthetic and Pedorthic Providers shall respect the patient's rights and dignity and shall uphold the doctrine of confidentiality regarding privileged patient information.
INTERPRETIVE STATEMENTS
Information about the patient's clinical situation will be kept confidential, unless otherwise required by law, in order to protect the welfare of an individual or community.
Written guidelines or protocols of an institution or department may be instrumental in deciding the manner in which confidential information is handled for release.
Orthotic, Prosthetic and Pedorthic Providers shall provide only those services for which they are qualified. Orthotic, Prosthetic and Pedorthic Providers shall not misrepresent in any manner, either directly or indirectly, their skills, training, professional credentials, identity or services.
INTERPRETIVE STATEMENTS
Orthotic, Prosthetic and Pedorthic Providers will accept responsibility for the exercise of sound judgment in the delivery of services to the patient and shall be accountable for the quality of the service provided.
Orthotic, Prosthetic and Pedorthic Providers will provide accurate information about the profession, and services they provide, as well as the Orthotic, Prosthetic and Pedorthic Provider's own qualifications.
Orthotic, Prosthetic and Pedorthic Providers shall not engage in practices beyond their competence or training.
Orthotic, Prosthetic and Pedorthic Providers shall not delegate to a less qualified person any activity, which requires the unique skill, knowledge and judgment of a formally educated Orthotic, Prosthetic and Pedorthic Provider. Services rendered by supportive personnel will be under the supervision of a formally educated
Orthotic, Prosthetic and Pedorthic Provider.
Orthotic, Prosthetic and Pedorthic Providers shall strive to improve their medical knowledge and skills on a continuing basis.
INTERPRETIVE STATEMENTS
Orthotic, Prosthetic and Pedorthic Providers shall support quality didactic and clinical education.
Professional conduct will be maintained toward Orthotic, Prosthetic and Pedorthic Providers peers, students, medical staff and patients.
Orthotic, Prosthetic and Pedorthic Providers shall participate in educational activities, either by individual study or through continuing education, which will enhance their basic knowledge in order to continue to provide quality health care to the patient.
Orthotic, Prosthetic and Pedorthic Providers shall maintain and promote high standards for their practice and include education, research and scientific presentations and/or publications.
An Orthotic, Prosthetic and Pedorthic Provider shall at all times hold the well-being of the patient to be paramount and shall not act in such a way as to bring the member's interests into conflict with the patient's interests. An Orthotic, Prosthetic and Pedorthic Provider shall deliver health care services without regard to race, color, creed, national origin, sex, age, religion, sexual preference or physical and/or mental condition.
INTERPRETIVE STATEMENTS
Orthotic, Prosthetic and Pedorthic Provider's practice and adherence to ethical principles shall take preference over business practices. Orthotic, Prosthetic and Pedorthic Providers shall place service before material gain.
Orthotic, Prosthetic and Pedorthic Providers shall fully disclose to clientele other business practices that may appear as conflict of interest to clientele and/or public. These may include but are not limited to:
In conclusion, it is the responsibility of the Orthotic, Prosthetic and Pedorthic Provider to make decisions regarding the selection of clinical products with the patient as the primary concern.
CERTIFICATION
This will certify that the foregoing revisions to the Rules and Regulations for Orthotic, Prosthetic and Pedorthic Providers in Arkansas were adopted by the State Board of Health of Arkansas at a regular session of said Board held in Little Rock, Arkansas, on the P' day of August, 2020.
007.05.21 Ark. Code R. § 001