Please see the links below to access the updated documents.
Approved on September 15, 2018, Came into Effect November 29, 2018
Summary of Amendments
CCO Council approved minor amendments to Standard of Practice S-013: Consent, that expand the intent of the standard to ensure patients are fully informed and in agreement to the examination, care and plan of care. The consent process also requires members to accommodate reasonable patient requests and preferences, while ensuring that safe, ethical chiropractic care can be provided. Amendments also emphasize that members take appropriate measures to communicate to the patient and ensure informed consent is obtained for any touching related to examination or treatment of sensitive body parts.
How this Affects Members
Members shall ensure that the consent process with patients involves a discussion of the examination, care and plan of care, touching of any sensitive body areas, and reasonable accommodation of patient requests and preferences.
Summary of Amendments
CCO Council approved minor amendments to Standard of Practice S-014: Prohibition of a Sexual Relationship with a Patient to ensure the standard of practice is consistent with regulatory amendments that define a patient under the Regulated Health Professions Act 1991 (RHPA).
How this Affects Members
It is strictly against the law for member to have a concurrent doctor/patient relationship and sexual relationship with a patient. Members shall be aware of the regulatory criteria for defining a patient and the regulations around providing emergency or incidental health care services and referring that individual for further services. There is no “spousal exemption” for providing chiropractic care to a spouse.
Summary of Amendments
CCO Council approved minor amendments that emphasize that members should ensure there is a written contract, agreement or arrangement concerning the ownership of physical records of patient personal health information, and custody of those records upon dissolution of a practice
How this Affects Members
Members should ensure that when practising in a group setting, there is a written contract, agreement or arrangement that establishes responsibility for maintaining and transferring records upon dissolution of a practice. Patients always have a right to be informed of where their records are being maintained in the case of dissolution of a practice and request a copy of their records be transferred to the chiropractor of their choosing.
Summary of Amendments
CCO Council approved minor amendments to the eligibility for a member to be appointed as a peer assessor to include that an applicant for a peer assessor position:
- is currently actively providing direct care to patients;
- is otherwise a member in good standing with CCO;
- declares that all content on their professional websites and social media accounts are in compliance with CCO standards of practice, policies and guidelines
- successfully completes both the internal and field training portions of the Assessor-In-Training program
How this Affects Members
Members interesting in becoming peer assessors should review the full policy to ensure that they meet the eligibility requirements. CCO is not currently looking for new peer assessors; however, please keep a look out for any future calls for new peer assessors.
Summary of Revocation
CCO Council revoked this policy due to the language of this policy being outdated.
How this Affects Members
Members shall always engage in respectful and collaborative inter-professional communication for the benefit of the patient. It is an object of the RHPA and CCO’s Code of Ethics that members work collaboratively with other health professionals in terms of providing patient care.
