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• Michigan Medical Acupuncture Association
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Position Statement of the:

MICHIGAN MEDICAL ACUPUNCTURE ASSOCIATION
Muskegon, Michigan

The following statement is adapted from a December 5, 2005, release by the Michigan Department of Community Health concerning the current regulations relative to the use of medical devices by health professionals in Michigan:

PHYSICIAN SUPERVISION OF DELEGATED PROCEDURES IN MICHIGAN

Acupuncture needles are recognized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as medical devices. The following guidelines apply to full body Practical Acupuncturists (PAc's) ⁱ and auricular therapy Acupuncture Detoxification Specialists (ADS's) ⁱⁱ for the use of acupuncture needle devices, in the State of Michigan.

A physician may delegate the use of acupuncture devices, such as the use of acupuncture needles, to a registered, licensed or unlicensed individual if the delegated individual works under the direction of or with physician supervision.

In this context, supervision as defined by the Michigan Public Health Code requires at least all of the following four criteria:

1. Acknowledgment by the physician that the delegated individual has the appropriate education, training or experience (PAc, ADS) to properly use acupuncture needles and associated devices.
2. Continuous availability of direct communication in person, or by radio, telephone or other telecommunication, between the physician and the delegated individual.
3. Regularly scheduled availability of the physician to consult, educate, and review the records and practice of the delegated individual in acupuncture needle use.
4. Development by the physician of written procedures and protocols ⁱⁱⁱ to guide the delegated individual's acupuncture needle use.

Physicians must adhere to these supervision requirements. As the delegated individual works under the authority of a license, the licensed physician is ultimately responsible for the outcome of the tasks and duties performed by the delegated individual.

i  PAc requires 1000 hours of training with a minimum of 120 hours of acupuncture including: clean needle technique and public health
ii  Auricular therapy ADS requires 70 hours of training by the National Acupuncture Detoxification Association (NADA)
iii  Written procedures and protocols are available through the MMAA and it's affiliated continuing medical education (CME) programs