Information for Physicians

CORONAVIRUS

The Arizona Department of Health Services has been closely monitoring COVID-19 on an international, national, and local level. Mitigating the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19, a respiratory disease that can cause symptoms ranging from mild cold-like illness to severe pneumonia, is a high priority. While only one case has been reported in Arizona in an individual who has since recovered, we expect more cases will occur here in the future. In order to best protect Arizonans, we all must work together to be responsive to this evolving situation. 

 

For more information about the outbreak, visit the ADHS coronavirus website at azhealth.gov/coronavirus.

AND 

https://azgovernor.gov/newsroom

For questions regarding the use of telemedicine, please reference Executive Order  2020-15 at the above link.

The Board does not offer legal interpretation of the law.

TELEMEDICINE Information may be found on AZLEG.Gov under Chapter 36

Telemedicine 36-3601. Definitions,36-3602. Delivery of health care through telemedicine; requirements; exceptions,36-3603. State jurisdiction; scope ,36-3604. Use of telemedicine for abortion prohibited; penalty; definition,   and aznd.gov 32-1501(ww)

 

Register as a Volunteer Health Professional for a Public Health Emergency

Are you a healthcare professional interested in volunteering for the COVID-19 Response or other public health emergencies? The Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) needs emergency response volunteers to call upon during a time of need.The knowledge and skills you have can help make a difference during a disaster. The first step in volunteering is to register with the Arizona Emergency System for the Advance Registration of Volunteer Health Professionals (AZ-ESAR-VHP or https://esar-vhp.health.azdhs.gov/). Once registered, request membership into the COVID-19 Response or other categories of interest. You can also get involved with opportunities by connecting with your local medical reserve corps by visiting https://mrc.hhs.gov/FindMRC.  

 

CONTINUING MEDICAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENT 

As a Naturopathic physician licensed in Arizona, part of the licensure renewal process requires completion of 30 hours of CME each year. At least 10 of those hours must be in the area of pharmacology as it relates to the diagnosis, treatment, or prevention of a disease. In addition to the required 10 in this area,  SB1001 (2018 First Special Session) The Act adds 32-3248.02, imposing an obligation to complete a minimum three hours of Opioid related CME in the area of substance–use disorder or addiction related.
 
Please use the CME check sheet available under the resources tab. 
The Board accepts CME from programs approved by one or more of the following organizations.
  • The American Association of Naturopathic Physicians or any of its constituent organizations.
  • The Arizona Naturopathic Medical Association.
  • Or any naturopathic licensing authority in the United States or Canada.  
  • Please reference the rules, R4-18-205. (Continuing Education Requirements) 

For approved schools,  refer to the Resources tab on the homepage

 REQUIREMENT TO REGISTER WITH THE CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE PRESCRIPTION MONITORING PROGRAM 

All licensed naturopathic physicians with a DEA Registration or who intend to apply for a DEA Registration in Arizona are required to register with the Controlled Substance Prescription Monitoring Program. Registration is available on the State of Arizona Pharmacy Board Website https://pharmacypmp.az.gov     

Also review the FAQ link    https://pharmacypmp.az.gov/frequently-asked-questions-faqs

Educational Video     https://youtu.be/ol206wj4LLY

RETENTION OF RECORDS AND REQUIRED PROTOCOL

A.R.S. 12-2297. Retention of records

A. Unless otherwise required by statute or by federal law, a health care provider shall retain the original or copies of a patient's medical records as follows:

1. If the patient is an adult, for at least six years after the last date the adult patient received medical or health care services from that provider.

2. If the patient is a child, either for at least three years after the child's eighteenth birthday or for at least six years after the last date the child received medical or health care services from that provider, whichever date occurs later.

3. Source data may be maintained separately from the medical record and must be retained for six years from the date of collection of the source data.

B. When a health care provider retires or sells the provider's practice the provider shall take reasonable measures to ensure that the provider's records are retained pursuant to this section.

C. A person who is licensed pursuant to title 32 as an employee of a health care provider is not responsible for storing or retaining medical records but shall compile and record the records in the customary manner.

D. A nursing care institution as defined in section 36-401 shall retain patient records for six years after the date of the patient's discharge.  For a minor, the nursing care institution shall retain the records for three years after the patient reaches eighteen years of age or for six years after the date of the patient's discharge, whichever date occurs last.

 

A.R.S. 32-3211. Medical records; protocol; unprofessional conduct; corrective action; exemptions

A. A health professional must prepare a written protocol for the secure storage, transfer and access of the medical records of the health professional's patients.  At a minimum the protocol must specify:

1. If the health professional terminates or sells the health professional's practice and the patient's medical records will not remain in the same physical location, the procedure by which the health professional shall notify each patient in a timely manner before the health professional terminates or sells the health professional's practice in order to inform the patient regarding the future location of the patient's medical records and how the patient can access those records.

2. The procedure by which the health professional may dispose of unclaimed medical records after a specified period of time and after the health professional has made good faith efforts to contact the patient.

3. How the health professional shall timely respond to requests from patients for copies of their medical records or to access their medical records.

B. The protocol prescribed in subsection A of this section must comply with the relevant requirements of title 12, chapter 13, article 7.1 regarding medical records.

C. A health professional shall indicate compliance with the requirements of this section on the health professional's application for relicensure in a manner prescribed by the health professional's regulatory board.

D. A health professional who does not comply with this section commits an act of unprofessional conduct.

E. In addition to taking disciplinary action against a health professional who does not comply with this section, the health professional's regulatory board may take corrective action regarding the proper storage, transfer and access of the medical records of the health professional's patients.  For the purposes of this subsection, corrective action does not include taking possession or management of the medical records.

F. For the purposes of this section, health professional does not include a veterinarian.

G. This section does not apply to a health professional who is employed by a health care institution as defined in section 36-401 that is responsible for the maintenance of the medical records.