Dry needling is quickly becoming a very popular modality in medical, physical therapy and chiropractic offices nationally, as musculoskeletal complaints are one of the most reported conditions for which people seek professional care. Nationally, dry needling is included in the scope of practice for PTs in approximately 75% of states in the US in comparison to chiropractic which is included, whether by statute or Rule, in approximately 50% of states. With the passage of FCA-supported House Bill 467 during the 2020 legislative session, amending “An Act Relating to Physical Therapy Practice,” many like us at the FCA believe dry needling falls within a chiropractic physician’s scope of practice. The new law includes dry needling in the scope of physical therapy, defining it as a procedure in Western medicine that uses filiform needles to stimulate a myofascial trigger point for neuromusculoskeletal conditions, pain, movement impairments, and disabilities. While the FCA believes dry needling is included in the chiropractor’s scope of practice, the same cannot be said for Florida’s prior chiropractic regulatory Board.
On September 9, 2021, President Biden announced his, “Path Out of the Pandemic COVID-19 Action Plan” (the Path Out Plan or Plan). The Plan does not appear to mandate vaccines to individual physician offices. The Plan is a six-pronged, national strategy to, “ensure that we are using every available tool to combat COVID-19 and save even more lives in the months ahead, while also keeping schools open and safe, and protecting our economy from lockdowns and damage.” See Path Out Plan at p. 1.
Currently, there is a conflict relating to the Governor’s May 3, 2021, Executive Order invalidating all local Executive Orders mandating mask wearing and numerous local school boards now imposing mask mandates. Gov. DeSantis cited the new law passed in the 2021 Legislative Session, the Parents’ Bill of Rights, allowing parents to make this decision. However, days ago, Judge John Cooper, Leon County Circuit Judge, struck down the Governor’s order restricting School Boards from imposing mask mandates.
ABSTRACT: To address the spreading of the COVID-19 Virus, OSHA issued a six-month Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) effective June 21, 2021 expiring December 21, 2021. The ETS, generally, applies to all physician facilities and there are complicated procedures that must be followed. However, those procedures can be avoided by screening all non-employees who want to enter the practice. The screening may be done by asking five questions linked to this article. Any non-employee answering yes to any of the questions or who refuses to answer the questions must be denied entry.
The practice must continue to implement the common-sense steps of providing barriers when needed, using personal protective equipment, cleaning and disinfecting, providing hand sanitizers, etc. But, employers no longer have to take steps to protect vaccinated employees. This article provides more detail and should be studied carefully.
(From a June 11, 2021 Hall Render News Release) On Thursday, June 11, Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued an emergency temporary standard as part of its National Emphasis Program on COVID-19. In a surprise to some, the ETS is limited to certain types of health care workplaces. OSHA also issued separate voluntary guidance for non-health care industries.
