3 CCR 712-1.5 - CLARIFYING THE SCOPE OF THE PRACTICE OF PODIATRY IN COLORADO

This Rule is promulgated pursuant to sections 12-20-204, 12-290-102(3), and 12-290-106(1)(a), C.R.S.

A. A podiatrist may possess, order, prescribe, dispense or administer preparations, medicines and/or drugs, including relevant braces, orthotics, prostheses and footwear, in order to treat conditions of the human toe, foot, ankle, and/or tendons that insert into the foot or in order to treat local manifestations of systemic conditions affecting the human toe, foot, ankle, and/or tendons that insert into the foot, except that a podiatrist may not administer an anesthetic other than a local anesthetic.

B. Within the limitations set forth below, a podiatrist shall perform a patient history and physical examinations that may include complete examinations that are necessary for the effective identification and treatment of conditions of the human toe, foot, ankle, tendons that insert into the foot, and/or soft tissues would below the mid-calf. Complete examinations are often necessary for the identification and assessment of systemic and localized conditions contributing to or causing conditions of the human toe, foot, ankle, tendons that insert into the foot, and/or soft tissue wounds below the mid-calf. Such examinations may encompass the evaluation of all organ systems or body parts. However, as set forth in section 12-290-102(3)(c), C.R.S., and where generally accepted standards of podiatric practice so require, a podiatrist shall also assure that a licensed health care provider who is authorized by law to treat systemic conditions, also performs a history and physical examination for the patient.

C. When treating soft tissue wounds below the mid-calf, a podiatrist shall conform to all requirements set forth in sections 12-290-102(3)(c) and 12-290-102(4), C.R.S., this Rule, and the generally accepted standards of podiatric practice.

D. A podiatrist may amputate a portion of the foot but may not disarticulate between the talus and the tibia.

E. A podiatrist may take emergency measures that are reasonable and necessary to protect and stabilize the patient's health until an appropriate provider authorized by law to treat the condition can intervene.

F. A podiatrist performing a podiatric medical or surgical procedure on the human toe, foot, ankle, tendons that insert into the foot, and/or soft tissue wounds below the mid-calf, may perform more proximal measures that are incidental to the procedure and that are reasonable and necessary to perform the procedure in accordance with generally accepted standards of podiatric medicine.

Notes

3 CCR 712-1.5

Adopted: MARCH 4, 2005, EFFECTIVE MAY 1, 2005; REVISED VIA EMERGENCY RULE EFFECTIVE 7/1/10; REVISED 9/10/10; EFFECTIVE 10/30/10; REVISED 6/3/22; EFFECTIVE 7/30/22

42 CR 14, July 25, 2019, effective 8/14/2019 45 CR 13, July 10, 2022, effective 7/30/2022 45 CR 22, November 25, 2022, effective 10/26/2022 45 CR 23, December 10, 2022, effective 11/11/2022 46 CR 02, January 25, 2022, effective 1/9/2023 46 CR 01, January 10, 2023, effective 1/30/2023