Comprehensive Instructional Manual for Chinese Medicine License Holders in Newport Beach, California

Clinical Administration · Safety Guidelines · Adherence to Regulations · Superiority in Therapy

Section 1: Certification, Licensure, and Regulations

1.1 The California Acupuncture Board (CAB), which is part of the Department of Consumer Affairs, requires all practitioners to have a valid license. This license needs to stay current and in good standing. All practicing actions become legally invalid and the practitioner is susceptible to disciplinary action if their license is lapsed.

1.2 A minimum of 50 continuing education units (CEUs) must be earned by practitioners every two years in order to renew their licenses. These CEUs, which must be approved by CAB-recognized providers, must consist of four hours of biomedicine and at least two hours of ethics.

1.3 Keep an accessible and up-to-date duplicate of:

Code of Business and Professions of California §§4925–4979.

clinic rules and local city health ordinances.

Handbooks for OSHA and HIPAA compliance.

1.4. Obtain a legal business license and register your clinical facility with the Newport Beach city government. If herbs are served on-site, record them under the relevant merchant code categories.

In compliance with Title 16, California Code of Regulations §1399.456, make sure your name, license number, and range of services are prominently displayed at your practice and in all promotional materials.

Section 2: The Physical Environment of the Clinic and Safety Facilities

2.1 Clinics must adhere to the state healthcare facility codes of California. This contains:

non-absorbent flooring that is simple to clean.

Sink spaces specifically designated for cleaning instruments and hand hygiene.

climate control devices that guarantee a hygienic, comfortable, and well-ventilated treatment setting.

2.2 Create the following clinical zones:

Clean, peaceful, and well-marked is the reception area.

Consultation Room: A sound-proofed, private area used for patient interviews and intake.

Treatment Rooms: Every room needs to include the proper tables, waste receptacles, sharps containers, and disinfecting supplies.

Herbal Dispensary (if applicable): Triple-beam or digital scales, labeled jars, safe shelving, extraction tools, and pest control procedures.

2.3 Follow the guidelines for infection management set out by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH):

Before and after every patient, wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with warm water and soap.

When bleeding is caused, such as during ear pricks or bloodletting, wear gloves.

Tablecloths and linens should be changed after every session.

Keep track of your daily, weekly, and monthly hygiene practices.

Section 3: Diagnostic Procedures and Patient Intake

3.1 Use the Four Diagnostic Methods as your starting point:

Examine the tongue’s body, color, coat, and disposition.

Auscultation & Olfaction (聞): sniff for pathogenic markers; listen for tone, breath, and cough.

Inquiry (問): Methodical probing of digestion, urine, emotions, menstruation, and sleep.

palpation (切): diagnosis of pulses in all three places and depths; acupoint and channel palpation as necessary.

3.2 Make use of frameworks for pattern recognition based on:

Ba Gang, or the Eight Principles.

Theory of Zang Fu Organs.

The Liu Jing song “Six Channels”

The four levels are Xue, Ying, Qi, and Wei.

When appropriate, the Extraordinary Vessels and San Jiao theory.

3.3. Note every diagnostic result in the patient’s file. Use ICD-10 coding when submitting insurance forms or making referrals to other medical specialists.

3.4 Reevaluate patient diagnoses periodically, especially in the absence of new symptoms (at least every 4-5 treatments or 30 days).

Section 4: Standards for Treatment Delivery

4.1 THE ACUPUNCTURE

Utilize only sterile, single-use, FDA-approved acupuncture needles.

In no case should needles be reused.

The depth and stimulation of the needle must match the patient’s constitution and the anatomy found in textbooks.

Electroacupuncture should not be performed on individuals who have pacemakers, across the chest, or on the anterior cervical region.

4.2 XIBUSTION

When applying indirect moxa to burn-prone regions, use insulating barriers (such as moxa boxes, salt, or ginger).

Provide smokeless moxa sticks in clinics that lack top-notch ventilation equipment.

Watch for symptoms of allergy or heat sensitivity, and stop using right away if any appear.

BLEEDING AND CUPPING 4.3

Use 70% isopropyl alcohol to sterilize the skin before using a suction device.

All cupping sessions should be recorded in patient files using silicone cups, a flame, or a pump.

Use disinfectants approved with the EPA to thoroughly clean cups in between uses.

Techniques for bleeding (such as lancet pricking or seven-star hammer) necessitate specialized waste management and complete informed permission.

GUA SHA & TUI NA 4.4

Apply the right amount of pressure according to the patient’s age, body type, and underlying medical condition.

Refrain from vigorously manipulating individuals with osteoporosis, surgical sites, or lymph nodes.

Note all soft-tissue procedures, including the lubricants used and the locations treated.

SECTION 5: DISPENSING AND SAFETY OF HERBAL MEDICINE

5. Buy only herbal products from GMP-certified producers. Keep thorough records of:

Name and batch numbers of the vendor.

dates of expiration.

distributing dates and quantities.

5.2 To prevent ambiguity in records, use Latin and Pinyin binomial names. Make a clear distinction between patent pills, powders (San), decoctions (Tang), and raw herbs (Sheng Yao).

5.3 Check for drug-herb interactions. Take particular note of:

anticoagulants (do not use warfarin with Dan Shen or Hong Hua, for example).

Diuretics: stay away from Ma Huang when using furosemide.

stimulants and antidepressants (take care of Ren Shen and He Huan Pi).

5.4 Verbally and in writing, give patients precise dosing recommendations that include:

Method of preparation (boil, steep, dry swallow).

the time of day.

duration of use.

frequent and uncommon adverse effects.

Section 6: Records and Information Administration

6.1 Keep records for every single therapy. The following entries are necessary:

Date, time, and length of the meeting.

entire set of diagnostic results.

Needling techniques and point placements are employed.

The logic for herbal prescriptions.

Treatment-related and post-treatment observations.

6.2 As required by California law, keep all patient records, whether on paper or in electronic form, for a minimum of seven years. Records pertaining to children must be kept on file until the patient is 25.

6.3 For EHR systems, use digital platforms that comply with HIPAA. Regularly backup documents and provide only authorized personnel access.

Interdisciplinary Coordination (Section 7)

7.1 When treating individuals who are also undergoing Western medical treatment:

Obtain written consent before sharing results with other healthcare professionals.

Make use of standard codes and suitable medical terminology when speaking.

Without first consulting the patient’s prescribing physician, do not suggest that they stop taking their prescriptions.

7.2 Develop connections with nearby medical facilities and clinics, like Hoag Hospital, to create suitable referral channels for:

diagnosis and imaging.

recommendations for emergencies.

Chronic care that is collaborative (e.g., cancer, fertility, orthopedics).

Section 8: Ethical Behavior and Expertise

8.1 Always follow the California Acupuncture Board’s Code of Ethics. This contains:

practicing only what is permitted by law in the field of Newport beach Chinese medicine.

delivering precise information regarding treatment results that is supported by evidence.

avoiding relationships with patients that are emotionally or financially abusive.

8.2 Avoid promoting or promising treatments. Don’t use words that suggest outcomes that don’t match the clinical literature.

8.3 Inform the relevant regulatory agency about any unethical actions taken by coworkers or clinics.

8.4 Maintain a minimum of $1 million in professional liability insurance coverage for each incident, and make sure your policies are renewed every year without lapse.

Section 9: Readiness for Emergencies

9.1 Current CPR and First Aid Certifications from the American Heart Association or its equivalent must be maintained by all clinical staff.

9.2 Keep an Emergency Protocol Binder at staff stations and the front desk with a legible label. Add:

Hoag Hospital’s contact information and the closest urgent care centers.

poison control number.

Procedures for managing seizures, fire, allergic reactions, unintentional punctures, and fainting.

9.3 Complete the paperwork and conduct emergency response exercises every two years.

PARTICIPATION IN PUBLIC AND COMMUNITY HEALTH SECTION 10

10.1 Take part in wellness fairs, public health campaigns, and educational outreach events in the Newport Beach area to:

Give correct information on Chinese medicine.

Develop trust in the community.

Encourage the incorporation of integrative health in local policy.

10.2 Keep your website and social media accounts up to date with all FTC truth-in-advertising regulations and CAB advertising guidelines.

10.3 In order to satisfy the needs of various patient populations, provide bilingual services wherever feasible, particularly in Mandarin, Vietnamese, or Spanish.

All acupuncturists and Chinese medicine practitioners operating in Newport Beach are required to examine this guidance once a year. License suspension, disciplinary action, or professional review could follow noncompliance with any of the provisions.