Standards of Practice for Chiropodists and Podiatrists
A Practice Standard outlines the expectations for registrants that contribute to public protection. It informs registrants of their accountabilities and the public of what to expect of registrants.
Standards apply to all registrants regardless of their role, job description or area of practice. Standards are binding, and failure to comply may result in disciplinary action by the College.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a controlled act under the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 (RHPA) – it is a procedure performed on tissue below the dermis. Controlled acts are procedures that pose a risk to patients if not performed by qualified practitioners. Members who are competent to perform acupuncture are permitted to do so under Ontario Regulation 107/96 of the RHPA. Read the full Acupuncture Standard.
Administering a Substance by Injection (including Local Anesthetic)
This standard of practice outlines legislative requirements and professional expectations for registrants who administer substances by injection, as authorized under section 5(1)(2) of the Chiropody Act, 1991 and its associated regulations. Read the Administering a Substance by Injection (including Local Anesthetic) Standard.
Advertising
This standard assists registrants in understanding their legal and professional responsibilities regarding any advertising related to their practice. Read the Advertising Standard.
Assessment and Management
Registrants must perform an assessment for each patient and must establish a management plan based on the assessment. Read the Assessment and Management Standard.
Competence
The overriding responsibility of a registrant is to act in the best interest of their patients. In fulfilling this professional and fiduciary obligation, a registrant must possess a sound understanding of their professional capabilities, their areas of competence, and their professional limitations. Read the Competence Standard.
Code of Ethics
The Code of Ethics reflects the College’s expectations that all registrants (and those preparing to enter the profession) will engage in safe and ethical practice, and the duties that registrants have to patients, employers, colleagues, the public, and the College. It explains what the public can expect from registrants. Read the Code of Ethics.
Infection Control
Infection control is considered an integral part of patient care. Concerns regarding the possible
spread of blood-borne diseases have prompted practitioners to reassess and update their infection control measures. The College of Chiropodists of Ontario has revised its infection control standards to meet the needs of the profession and to provide the public of Ontario with safe foot care. Read the Infection Control Standard of Practice.
Inhalation
This standard outlines the minimum standards of practice for administering inhaled substances and using sedation in practice. Any registrant who uses sedative agents or sedation modalities must:
- Be appropriately trained,
- Have an inhalation certification and/or prescribing privileges, as outlined below,
- Regulate their practice in accordance with this standard, the Chiropody Act, 1991, its regulations, and the College by-laws.
This standard must be read in conjunction with Ontario Regulation 203/94, under the Chiropody Act, 1991, By-Law 5: Inhalation and Sedation, and the College’s Office Medical Emergencies Guideline.
Read the Administering Inhaled Substances and the Use of Sedation Standard.
Cutaneous, Subcutaneous and Osseous Surgeries
Registrants must make every effort to ensure a satisfactory post-operative result and reduce the risk of complications when performing nail and cutaneous soft tissue surgery and subcutaneous and osseous surgery. This practice standard establishes the requirements registrants must meet when performing surgery. Read the Cutaneous, Subcutaneous and Osseous Surgeries Standard.
Patient Relations
This Practice Standard sets out the College’s expectations for registrants when interacting with patients. Registrants must treat patients with respect, dignity, fairness, and safety at all times, and must provide patient-centered care. It applies in all practice settings and throughout the practitioner-patient relationship, including in-person, online, and virtual interactions. Read the Patient Relations Standard.
Prescription Custom Foot Orthoses
Prescription Custom Foot Orthoses (PCFO) are an integral part of patient care in the management of pedal pathologies and are used to improve gait and to alleviate pain and discomfort from abnormal foot function or structure.
This Standard of Practice reflects what should be performed by Chiropodists and Podiatrists with respect to the manufacturing and dispensing of orthotic devices. [For purposes of this Standard of Practice “dispensing” includes inspecting the PCFO to ensure it meets the prescription, fitting the PCFO on the patient, and educating the patient on the proper use of the PCFO.] However, this treatment therapy is dependent on many variables including each patient’s medical history, footwear, activities, and work environment. As a result of the personalized treatment plan and this multi-factorial and complex process, deviations from this Standard of Practice may be called for in certain circumstances. In these situations, the patient chart should clearly document the revised treatment process and the justification. The College of Chiropodists of Ontario has developed its PCFO Standard to ensure that the public of Ontario has access to safe and effective foot care, including safe and effective PCFO.
The College defines an orthotic prescription (the “prescription”) to be the set of instructions intended for the orthotic laboratory that very specifically outlines the parameters of design, composition and fabrication of the orthotic intended for the treatment of an underlying medical condition or postural imbalance of the patient. Read the Prescription Custom Foot Orthoses Standard.
Prescription Footwear
Prescription footwear is an integral part of patient care for the management of lower extremity pathology and to alleviate pain and dysfunction caused by foot deformities. The College of Chiropodists of Ontario has developed its Prescription Footwear Standard to meet the needs of the profession and to provide the public of Ontario with safe and effective foot care. Read the Prescription Footwear Standard.
Records
The registrant shall ensure that documentation is clear and accurate, satisfying optimum patient care and legal requirements. Read the full Records Standard.
Safety and the Manufacturing and Modification of Orthotic Devices
This practice standard provides guidance to registrants on the safety and the manufacturing and modification of orthotic devices. Read the Safety and the Manufacturing and Modification of Orthotic Devices Standard.
Safety and the Practice Environment
Registrants are responsible for ensuring their practice site(s) are properly equipped, well-maintained, and have procedures in place to protect the health and safety of patients and staff. Read the Safety and the Practice Environment Standard.
Social Media
Social media is a powerful tool for communicating and networking and has become pervasive in all aspects of our lives, both personal and professional. This is especially true during global crises, like the COVID-19 pandemic. In recognition of the serious consequences of misusing social media, Council upgraded the Social Media Standard it adopted in January 2023 to a College Standard. Read the Social Media Standard.
Supervision Standard - Emergency Class
This Standard of Practice applies to all registrants who provide supervision or mentorship (the “Supervisor”) to another registrant of the College who practices chiropody in Ontario pursuant to a certificate of registration in the Emergency Class in accordance with O. Reg. 830/93 (the “Supervisee”). Read the Supervision Standard.
Surgical Competencies
The Surgical Competencies Standard of Practice of the College of Chiropodists of Ontario (the “College”) contains practice parameters and standards that should be considered by all Ontario chiropodists and podiatrists in the care of their patients. All members of the College shall only perform surgical procedures within their knowledge, skill, and judgement. The surgical procedures, and complexity of procedures, that chiropodists and podiatrists choose to undertake should reflect the commensurate level of training and courses they have successfully completed and competency and experience they have acquired. Read the full Surgical Competencies Standard.