Practice Guidelines
A Practice Guideline often addresses specific practice-related issues. It helps registrants interpret or implement legislation, policies and standards, to make safe and ethical decisions in their practice. While often referred to as “best practices,” guidelines may be binding depending on the context in which they are issued.
Compression Stockings
The College of Chiropodists of Ontario acknowledges that many registrants prescribe and fit compression stockings as part of an integrated treatment plan for their patients.
Consent Guideline
This guideline provides advice to registrants regarding obtaining informed consent. This Guideline explains what registrants are required to do when obtaining and documenting informed consent and consent to treatment, in addition to meeting the requirements of the Health Care Consent Act, 1996 (“HCCA” or the “Act”).
Dealing with Office Medical Emergencies in the Podiatry and Chiropody Office Setting
Podiatrists and Chiropodists should be aware that acute and potentially life-threatening medical emergencies can and do occur in the office setting. Accordingly, all offices should be prepared for these unfortunate and often unpredictable events with the goal of effectively managing these patients until care can be appropriately transferred to trained medical emergency personnel.
Declaring Clinical Practice Hours
This guideline is meant to assist registrants in understanding the number of hours required to declare currency of practice to ensure that only registrants with recent clinical practice can continue to practice unrestricted.
Discontinuation of Services
This Guideline discusses important considerations and registrants’ responsibilities associated with the discontinuation of services or practice closure related to retirement, resignation, extended leave of absence (such as maternity/parental leave, sick leave, etc.), revocation, suspension, incapacity, or death.
Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy
These guidelines were created to address the inquiries received by the College about whether registrants are allowed to use extracorporeal shock wave therapy in their practice.
Fees, Billing and Accounts Guideline
The following guideline was created by the College to assist registrants in understanding their legal and professional responsibilities in relation to fees, billings, and accounts.
Restriction of the title "Doctor"
The Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 contains a restriction on the use of the title “doctor”. Under the Act five regulated professions are authorized to use the title: chiropractors, dentists, optometrists, physicians and psychologists.
Guidelines for the Safe Use of Lasers by Members
The use of lasers by registrants is expanding, as the use of medical lasers has greatly enhanced and expanded treatment modalities, but with it comes a risk of harm to the patient, staff, and others. Patient and staff safety is of paramount importance. The purpose of this document is to ensure that registrants stay current and informed of the best practices, follow proper protocols and procedures, and ensure the safety of their patients.
Subtalar Joint Arthroereisis Procedure
Subtalar Joint Arthroereisis (“STJA”) formally known as Extraosseous Subtalar Joint Implant Procedure, (“ESJIP”) is a surgical procedure designed to limit excessive pronatory motion within the subtalar joint. The main indication for this procedure is flexible pes planus (“Flexible Flatfoot”).
Guidelines for Suspension
The College of Chiropodists of Ontario (the “College”) has created this guideline to outline the responsibilities of suspended registrants of the College whose certificate of registration has been suspended. This Guideline applies to administrative suspensions (including suspensions for non-payment of fees) and suspensions ordered by a Committee of the College.